History of the Rural Heritage Center

First settled in the early 1800s by Virginians and Carolinians who migrated to the area in search of land, the community was named in 1892, and the town of Thomaston was incorporated in 1901.

In August of 2003, the Alabama Rural Heritage Foundation, and the Rural Studio of Auburn University began a partnership. Five Auburn students in the Rural Studio Program Abbey Barnett, Melissa Harold, Paul Kardous, Nathan Makemson, and Robert White embarked on a thesis project to design and construct the Alabama Rural Heritage Center ( ARHC ). They carried out renovations and the construction of a new 5,000 square-foot addition to the Home Economics building of the old Marengo County High School. Finally, On April 9, 2005, The Alabama Rural Heritage Foundation celebrated the grand opening of the new Alabama Rural Heritage Center. More information about the Rural Heritage Center Construction Project project can be found on the Auburn Rural Studios web site, located at www.pepperjelly.org.