If you’ve ever visited Colonial Williamsburg, you know it’s like taking a step back in time.

The park has been reconstructed as a living history museum, showcasing life in the 1770s. A British flag flies over the reconstructed Capitol building. Visitors are surrounded by women and men in period dress and, occasionally, these re-enactors enlist their services for a street performance.

Williamsburg was at one time a prosperous, important cultural and political center in Virginia.

But, over time, it lost its place in political life, remaining a charming town, but losing much of its historic homes and buildings. That could have been the end of the story.

But, in 1926, a local pastor envisioned envisioned restoring the entire town to its colonial appearance. John D. Rockefeller Jr. contributed millions to the project and set up endowments for its future. And, now visitors flock to the site each year to experience the past.

So, what does this have to do with Selma or Dallas County?

Old Cahawba Archeological Park is a gem, just waiting for someone with vision and deep pockets to take it to the next level.

Once Alabama’s state capital, Cahawba was a thriving antebellum river town in the early 1800s.

Its history goes back much further, however, to the 1540s when a large Indian village was located in the area.

Fortunately, the area is an Archeological treasure, and research has provided clues to what the town looked like, who the residents were, and how they lived.

Credit must be given to those who have kept the project moving forward, but there is much more that can be done.

Find out how you can get involved by checking out www.cahawba.com