History Commons^™

Stigmatic History: The Advancement Of Accessibility In U.S. Museums, 1960-2010, Misty A. Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation represents an overlap between disability history and public history by examining how museums in the U.S. became more accessible between 1960 and the early twenty-first century. Utilizing an expansive cross-section of primary and secondary sources, this study unravels the complexities of social and legal pressures that resulted in accessibility becoming a priority in museums. Changes in social expectations, new legal measures, and activism contributed to a shift in the status and treatment of people with disabilities. With these changes came a need for public spaces to adapt and provide disabled peoples with the same access and experiences as …

The Sword And The Pen: How America’S Way Of War Escaped Constitutional Restraint, Daryl Lee Posey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines how changes in military technology and institutional design shifted practical control over war initiation from Congress to the presidency between the founding era and the end of the Cold War. The Constitution vests the power to declare war in Congress, and the framers rejected proposals to give that authority to the president alone. This study argues that advances in communication, transportation, weapons lethality, and government secrecy compressed the time available for congressional deliberation, concentrated war-relevant information inside executive institutions, and made presidential initiative the default rather than the exception. The study traces this pattern across six chapters, …

Newsclipping, The Old And New

Eartha M. M. White Textual Material

News clipping: James H. Lewis (left), Afro-American Life Insurance Company, Jacksonville, Florida, shaking hands with M. C. Clark (right), president of Dunbar Life Insurance Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Lewis congratulating his successor, Mr. Clark, as president of NNIA (National Negro Insurance Association). Undated.

Border Fascism And The Fascistization Of Society, Nicholas P. De Genova

Emancipations: A Journal of Critical Social Analysis

The massive destruction and social dislocation wrought by capitalist crisis has culminated, historically, in the brutal cataclysms of fascism and other forms of authoritarian rule. Today, across the globe, we are confronted with the aggressive advance and entrenchment of a variety of such authoritarian political projects. Anxious discourses about ascendant fascism have become perfectly mainstream. These developments command our acute attention and critical analysis. This essay addresses these dire questions and the conceptual vexations surrounding the concept of fascism, particularly as it has been elaborated in various Marxist analyses.  Specifically, much of the debate around fascism as an analytical category …

Una Magazine, Office Of Alumni Relations- University Of North Alabama

Documents

"50 Golden Years"-UNA Magazine, Spring 1999

"The Courtview Diary", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article offers an excerpt and overview of the diary of Sally Independence Foster, a young girl from Florence, Alabama who recorded her experiences during the Civil War. Foster lived in Courtview, now known as Rogers Hall on the campus of the University of Alabama. Additional photographs of Courtview (Rogers Hall) are available in the University Architecture and William Lindsey McDoanld Image Collections by searching the side bar located on the left.

Additional information about Sally Independence Foster, can be found in this LibGuide, the digital archival collection, or the finding aid to the physical collection.

"The Builder Of Wilson Dam", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article presents a brief overview of the people responsible for the construction of Tennessee Valley Authority Dam Number Two, later known as the Wilson Dam. The dam was designed by C. M. Hackett, while a team of engineers directed by General Lansing H. Beach oversaw the project's construction. McDonald places particular emphasis on district engineer Col. Hugh L. Cooper, "a self-educated engineer in hydroelectric energy" whom he recognizes as the "builder" of the Wilson Dam.

"Deibert Park: A Place Of Beauty And Legacy", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article discusses the history of Deibert Park and the benefactors Dr. Kirk and Lillian Deibert. The Deibert Park historical marker can be found in the national historical marker database.

McDonald recounts the history of the historic African American Posey Community that the Florence, Alabama park is located in.

"Brandon School", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The Brandon School was established in the East Florence industrial area of Florence, Alabama in 1893 as Florence's Sixth Ward School. Due to lack of funds, the school was closed before being reopened by Charles Brandon, a proponent of educational efforts among the children of factory workers of the Cherry Cotton Mill.

Photographs of the Brandon School's faculty and second and third grade classes are available in the William Lindsey McDonald Image Collection.

"Building The Bridge", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

After the Civil War, the reconstruction of the Florence, Alabama railroad bridge proved vital to local commerce. William Lindsey McDonald briefly describes the ferries used prior to the construction of the bridge as well as the infrastructural significance.

"The Blockade Runner", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

During the Civil War, Mary Nail Blair of Florence, Alabama organized a secret operation to bring essential supplies into Florence and the surrounding area from behind enemy lines.

"Celts In The Valley", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The Tennessee Valley of North Alabama retains linguistic and cultural influences from the languages of its inhabitants. Scot Irish inhabitants of Celtic origin produced a dialect that McDonald claims as a "Celtic character" through tracing common regional expressions back to their roots in the original Gaelic.

"Chief Tuscumbia", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Chief Tashka Ambi, or Tashkambia, meaning "the warrior who kills," was a Chickasaw chief in North Alabama. The article offers a brief overview of Chief Tashkambia's life.

The name for the present-day city of Tuscumbia, Alabama is derived from the anglicized version of his name. The city's first name Cold Water was incorporated on December 20, 1820, then six months later it was changed to Big Spring, before retaining its present name on December 31, 1822.

"The Civil War Years At Florence And Lauderdale County", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article is organized by headings and presents a brief overview of the effects of the Civil War in Florence and Lauderdale County, Alabama.

Headings

• Gunboats at the Florence Port
• Florence Bridge over the Tennessee Burned
• Local Presbyterian Minister Sent to Union Prison
• The First Battle of Florence
• General William T. Sherman Occupies Florence
• Battle of Center Star
• Capture of the White Horse Company
• The Two Skirmishes at Four Mile Branch
• Second Battle of Florence
• Federal Cavalry Encampment Near Florence
• A Civil War Medical Center

"Early Times Around Muscle Shoals City", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A paper presented to the Muscle Shoals City Kiwanis Club on March 14, 1963, about the establishment of the city of Muscle Shoals. The article includes mention of the indigenous tribes that dwelt in the area as well as the Marion Land Company and associated figures which advertised lots in 1819.

"The Early Beginnings Of Weeden Heights", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Weeden Heights, a subdivision development east of Florence, Alabama on Old Huntsville Road, was named for John D. Weeden Jr. The origins of the development are briefly discussed in the article.

"The Early Development Of Florence", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The city of Florence, Alabama was officially founded on March 12th, 1818, with the signing of the Articles of Agreement in Huntsville, Alabama. The article briefly discusses the founding of the city, including the impact of Generals Andrew Jackson and John Coffee, as well as the development of integral roads, such as Circular and Military Road.

"The Early History Of Lauderdale County", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

Lauderdale County was created as one of eight county governments on February 6, 1818, making it approximately one year older than the state of Alabama. The article discusses the early founding of the county, including setter encounters with indigenous people and conflicts.

"Florence Wagon Works", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

In 1889, the Atlanta Wagon Works relocated their plant to Florence, Alabama in order to be able to access the timber of the Appalachian foothills. The article offers an overview of the Florence Wagon Works and the impact of the industry.

"Florence Wesleyan University: 1855-1872", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A paper presented by William Lindsey McDonald, Conference Historian, at the North Alabama Conference for the United Methodist Church about Florence Wesleyan University, one of the earliest predecessors of the University of North Alabama. Prior to discussing Florence Wesleyan University, the paper also discusses the history of the earliest iteration of the university LaGrange College.

"Florence's First Mayor", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article briefly discusses the significance of Alexander Hamilton Wood, the first mayor of Florence, Alabama.

"The Canal Building Genius", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

George Washington Goethals, the engineer who constructed the Panama Canal, was also employed to construct the Muscle Shoals Canal in North Alabama. During the construction of the canal, Goethals lived on Wood Avenue near the University of North Alabama. Multiple historical markers commemorating Goethals' time in North Alabama exist, including the one designating his home, the Florence Walk of Honor, and his mention on the Muscle Shoals Canal Marker.

"The Course Of The Tennessee River", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article describes the usual course of the Tennessee River and various geological theories for the direction of its course. In addition, it explores the specific geomorphology of the Muscle Shoals and its impact on North Alabama.

"Eliza Coffee Whose Name Is Memorialized By A Hospital", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article serves as a brief biographical sketch of Eliza Coffee, whom the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Alabama memorializes.

"Dr. E. B. Norton", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

The article offers a brief biography of Dr. E.B. Norton president of Florence State Teachers College, a precursor to the University of North Alabama.

"Florence: An Early Cotton Mill Town", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

In the antebellum period and early years of the Civil War, Florence, Alabama was a leading center for the textile industry with five cotton mills, including the prominent Cypress Mills. The article gives an overview of the impact of mills in and around the area.

A lithograph fragment of Cypress Mill is available in the William Lindsey McDonald Image Collection. Other images of mills can be found by searching "mills" in the left sidebar.

Archives As Activism: Using Cuny Archives To Examine And Analyze Social Change, Marci Littlefield

Open Educational Resources

Archives as Activism uses CUNY archival materials to help students examine the relationship between activism, social issues and social change. Students will analyze primary sources such as flyers, newsletters, photographs, student newspapers, and institutional documents and connect them to contemporary social issues. CUNY’s history of activism around, race, gender, educational access, women’s organizing and institutional power provides students with an opportunity to investigate questions about power, collective action, intersectionality and social change.

Student Senate Meeting Minutes September 16, 2026, Student Senate-Winona State University

Student Senate Meeting Minutes

This document is the official Winona State University Student Senate Minutes for September 16, 2026.

Alexander Hamilton Wood: Florence's First Mayor, William Lindsey Mcdonald

Correspondence

Email correspondence between William L. McDonald and former Florence, Alabama Mayor Eddie Frost concerning the suggested text on the Alexander Hamilton Wood Historical marker at the dedication service proposed for March 1, 1998, at 2:30 pm.

View Alexander Hamilton Wood's mention as the first mayor of Florence on the Founding of Florence Historical Marker.

"A Brief History Of Florence, Alabama", William Lindsey Mcdonald

Research Articles

A brief history of Florence, Alabama from its origins with the Cypress Land Company on March 12, 1818. McDonald highlights the industrialization of East Florence and notable residents, including four Alabama governors, Dred Scott, members of the US House of Representatives, and W.C. Handy the Father of the Blues.