By Staff
Staff reports
A new west wing has been completed for the Department of Archives and History building in Montgomery. A dedication ceremony, "West Wing Fling" will be held Oct. 8, 2005. At the beginning of the festivities for the day, one fourth-grade student from somewhere in the State of Alabama will have the honor of joining First Lady Patsy Riley to cut the ribbon to open the new wing.
Fourth grade students just need to write a short essay (one page or less-handwritten or typed), entitled "Why I Would Like to Cut the Ribbon for the Archives and History New West Wing." Include name, address, school name and teacher's name on the back of the essay. Also include a telephone number and email address if there is one. The essays must be received by Sept. 12, to be eligible.
Send the entry to West Wing Fling Essay Contest, Alabama Department of Archives and History, P.O. Box 300100, Montgomery, Ala. 36130-0100.
One of the highlights of most fourth graders' school year is a visit to the Department of Archives and History. That is because fourth graders are taught Alabama history during the school year.
The "West Wing Fling" will be filled with music, food and activities. There will be a panel discussion with quilters from Gee's Bend, storytellers, music, special lectures by some of the state's most popular historians and sales of Alabama-related books. There will also be an antique and artifact service, modeled on the popular television show, "Antiques Roadshow."