The Pike County Chamber of Commerce has expanded its April Walking Tour to include downtown Brundidge.

Kathy Sauer, Chamber president, said she is excited that Brundidge will be a part of the tour.

“The Chamber’s tour is part of the Alabama Tourism Department’s April Walking Tours program and Brundidge certainly has much to add to the tour,” Sauer said. “Brundidge has two structures that are listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage – the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library and the Johnston Mill.”

Sauer said Brundidge City Hall has historical significance in that it was the home of the Bass family, which was one of the town’s most prominent families.

“The We Piddle Around Theater was a WPA project and that is certainly significant,” she said. “Brundidge United Methodist Church is significant in its architectural style for churches was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.”

Studio 116 will be the meeting place for the walking tour of Brundidge, which will be guided by Brundidge historian John Phillip Johnston. The Brundidge Historical Society will also participate. A date for the tour of downtown Brundidge will be announced.

“We are extremely proud to have the opportunity to expand the tour in this, our first year of participation,” Sauer said.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce-organized walking tour is one of 33 tours being offered statewide on four consecutive Saturdays in April. The dates are 5, 12, 19 and 26.

“The Alabama Tourism Department has done more than 1,800 walking tours since the program began 11 years ago,” Sauer said. “This is the first year that we have participated and we hope to make the walking tours an annual event.”

The Troy tours will cover the downtown square and its perimeter.

“The tours will alternate between two themes, the historic commercial sites and the historic homes on College Street,” Sauer said. “We’ll discuss the architectural structure, not the homes.

“This will not be the first walking tour of College Street. Several years ago, interns at The Messenger collected information for a historic walk on College Street. The Chamber used that information as a basis to re-establish to our walking tours. Our present Chamber interns are in the process of collecting information for our walking tour of the commercial area.”

The walking tours in Troy will begin at 10 a.m. at the Chamber office on the square and will take 30 to 60 minutes. The walks will be cancelled if there is inclement weather.

“The walking tours are good opportunities for people of all ages to learn more about their communities,” Sauer said. “Groups are invited and encouraged to participate.

“These walking tours are important because they promote the historical value of our cities and towns. And, it is an opportunity to partner with other cities and with the Alabama tourism on a statewide project.”

Sauer said participating in the Alabama Tourism Department’s April Walking Tours offers statewide exposure and marketing.

“The walk tour project is growing every year and we are proud to be involved,” she said.