+--------+---------------------+----------------+---------------------+
| ![     | **National Park     |                | Selma to Montgomery |
| ](medi | Service**           |                |                     |
| a/imag |                     |                | National Historic   |
| e1.png | ## U.S. Departm     |                | Trail               |
| ){widt | ent of the Interior |                |                     |
| h="0.7 |                     |                | 1212 W. Montgomery  |
| 770833 |                     |                | Road                |
| 333333 |                     |                |                     |
| 333in" |                     |                | Tuskegee Institute, |
| h      |                     |                | AL 36088            |
| eight= |                     |                |                     |
| "0.993 |                     |                |                     |
| 75in"} |                     |                |                     |
+--------+---------------------+----------------+---------------------+

**National Park Service** News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --

CONTACT: Diane May (334) 727-6390 or diane_may@nps.gov

**First Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Visitor Center
Opens**

White Hall, Ala. -- August 3, 2006 -- The first visitor center for the
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail will open to the public in
White Hall, Ala., on August 26, 2006. The opening of the center will
begin with a wreath laying and flag presentation at 8:30 a.m., followed
by an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Many of those who participated in the
historic Voting Rights Marches of 1965 are scheduled to attend.

The center is the first of three proposed centers that will provide
information to the public about the march and the struggle of African
Americans to secure the right to vote. The \$10 million structure was
made possible through the collaboration of the National Park Service,
the Federal Highway Administration and the Alabama Department of
Transportation. Additionally many local community leaders were
instrumental in the center's development.

"We are excited to have this significant project completed," said
Catherine Light, superintendent of the Tuskegee Institute National
Historic Site, which is the "parent" park for the historic trail and the
visitor center. "This is an important step in commemorating the
achievements of those who labored, many of whom died, in the struggle to
gain the right to vote for all Americans."

"This center offers the public an exceptional educational experience and
a greater understanding of the events surrounding the Voting Rights
Marches," said Patricia Hooks, regional director of the National Park
Service, Southeast Region. "The center will be a reservoir of
information and will contain video, audio and interactive exhibits to
depict that era in our history."

The opening day activities for the new center will feature music, food,
exhibits and storytelling. Visitors will be given the opportunity to
hear historic accounts of the events that occurred during the marches
from those who were there.

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