LEIGHTON, Ala. – Thursday, November 21, 2019 – The citizens of Leighton and the Shoals area are invited to celebrate “Leighton – The Land, The Lives, The Legacy” at the grand re-opening of the Leighton Museum on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 2:00 pm.
The Leighton Museum is housed at Bank Independent’s Leighton Sales Office located at 8720 Main Street in Leighton, Alabama. The museum is open during regular banking hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The museum previously operated from the Leighton Library since its Gala Opening on May 7, 1954. The artifacts on display came primarily from the collection of Frank King with many additions provided by Horace Holland. Jimmy King, grandson of Frank King, was instrumental in the renovation of the museum.
“The museum has been an asset to our community, and we wanted to protect the contents. Bank Independent stepped forward to fund the concept, design and construction of the new museum with the goal to make it more accessible to the public. I think people will be surprised at the rich history we have preserved not only for Leighton, but for North Alabama,” said Jimmy King.
“The whole concept of the Leighton Museum sprang from a desire to capture the vibrant history of our area from the perspectives of multiple generations of citizens,” says John Bowling, VP of Facilities for Bank Independent. “I’ve always been fascinated by the everyday details which make up a community. Many of those details are stored in the memories and the stories passed down from person to person. The Museum has tried to document these stories to share with future generations. In fact, one of my favorite features of the museum is the video introduction that features Leighton natives talking about the area’s history.”
The museum collection boasts a variety of Leighton history to include local Native American pieces, LaGrange College artifacts, Civil War and World War I memorabilia, and numerous items that tell the story of the early days of Leighton. The exhibit is filled with photographs and information panels to tell the story as patrons walk through the museum.
“There is not another museum like this in North Alabama,” says Debbie Bradford, curator of the museum. “The information we have secured from the ancestors has made the contents come to life. It is a museum for the people, and we are excited about the asset it will be for the community.”
Macke Mauldin, a Leighton native and President & CEO of BancIndependent, Inc. says, “Bank Independent was founded as the Bank of Leighton in 1947. We are proud to be a part of preserving and sharing the rich history of Leighton and Colbert County for current and future generations to enjoy.”
The Open House is open to everyone and entrance to the Leighton Museum is free to the public.
About Leighton Museum
Established in 1954, the Leighton Museum was created to provide public access to a well-curated collection of local, historical artifacts. In 2019, the Leighton Museum has been reimagined and renovated to engage the public in a new space, with inspired storytelling and displays which preserve the rich history of the area.
About Bank Independent
Since 1947, Bank Independent has taken pride in serving the customers who count on us to be there for them when they need us most. With our new Digital branch and 28 traditional branches across north Alabama, we’re committed to providing the best service, designing the most desired products and creating an overall excellent experience for each and every customer. As a local community bank, we believe in building relationships that run deep and last. All of our employees reside in our local communities and believe in giving back through volunteering. To become part of a bank that makes a positive difference in people’s lives, visit us at bibank.com.
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For more information, press only:
Bank Independent, Marketing Department for Bank Independent, (256) 386-5000, ma@bibank.com
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