Guide to the Douglas Clare Purcell Papers

Record Group 143

Date Span: 1965-2004

Extent: 2 cubic feet

Biographical Sketch: Douglas Clare Purcell served as Executive Director of the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, an agency of Alabama and Georgia involved in the promotion of tourism and historic preservation, from 1972 until 2011. He is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and resides in Eufaula with his wife Betsy. After receiving a B.A. and MA in history from the University of Alabama, he became a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Purcell has served in many leadership positions in the historic, preservation, and heritage tourism communities of Alabama and Georgia. He is past president of the Alabama Historical Association, Alabama Historical Commission's Board of Advisors, and the Alabama Preservation Alliance. In addition, he is past chairman of the Alabama Live-In-A-Landmark Council. Between 1989 and 1998, he served as one of two Alabama advisors to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and was chairman of the Trust's ten-state Southern Region Board of Advisors from 1996-97. He was also on the National Trust's Executive Committee and served as Secretary in 1998. He has served several terms on the Marketing Committee of the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel. Locally he serves on the Board of the Wiregrass Festival of Murals, the Advisory Board of Westville Historic Handicrafts, and the boards of the Eufaula-Barbour County Tourism Council, Pioneer Museum of Alabama, Chattahoochee Indian Heritage Association, Eufaula Heritage Association, Friends of Fendall Hall, Barbour County Humane Society and Voyage of Discovery, Inc. In addition, he currently serves as chairman of the Eufaula Historic Preservation Commission and chairman of Main Street, Eufaula. He is a past Board member of the Eufaula Chamber of Commerce, Girl Scouts Concharty Council, Alabama Travel Council, Alabama Hospitality Association and the Alabama Conservancy. He is an active member of the Eufaula Rotary Club, having served as president, and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He is also a graduate of Leadership Alabama.

Purcell's interest in Alabama history focuses on the Civil War era, Native Americans, and the Chattahoochee River Valley. His published works include “Military Conscription in Alabama During the Civil War” (Alabama Review, April 1982), “Joseph Barbiere: Tennessee Confederate in Alabama” (Alabama Review, October 1982), “Case Study: The Chattahoochee Trace of Alabama and Georgia” (Historic Preservation Forum, July/August 1991). Other works include The Making of a City: Trussville, Alabama, 1820-1970 (Trussville, 1970), A History of the Eufaula First United Methodist Church, 1834-1984 (Eufaula, 1984), and Controversy in Old Barbour County: The Lore-Blake Murder Case (Eufaula, 1986). He has collaborated as editor on three other books on Alabama history. Purcell has been honored by the Alabama Historical Commission twice---in 1984 with the Distinguished Service Award and in 1991 with the Silver Anniversary Award. He also received recognition for community service several times from the Eufaula Tribune.

He and his wife Betsy have two children. Doug has been a member of the Purcell Family of America Genealogical Association since 1973.

Scope / Content: Documents the activities of Douglas Clare Purcell in association with various organizations in the Wiregrass from 1965 to 2004. Contains correspondence, meeting minutes and agendas, publications, annual reports, financial information, grant information, newsletters, research materials, information on the Americans with Disabilities Act, the1996 Atlanta Olympics, the Chattahoochee Trace Mini-Tour, and press releases. Covers regions of Alabama, particularly Eufaula, and Georgia.

Organization: Arranged into 3 series. Series order imposed by Wiregrass Archives staff.

1. Historic Chattahoochee Commission 1979-1998, [5 Files]: Documents Doug Purcell's activities as Executive Director of the HCC. Contains information on the HCC's efforts to make historic sites accessible to people with disabilities according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, information on the HCC's effort to promote tourism in the eighteen county Chattahoochee Trace region of Alabama and Georgia through the Chattahoochee Trace Mini-Tour, correspondence, publications, press releases, and newsletters.

2. State and Local Historical/Preservation Organizations 1965, 1973-2004, [44 Files]: Documents Doug Purcell's activities with various organizations outside the HCC. Contains meeting minutes and agendas, correspondence, publications, annual reports, financial information, grant applications, newsletters and press releases.

3. Tourism 1990-2004, [39 Files]: Documents Doug Purcell's activities with various organizations in an effort to promote tourism. Contains information on the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, meeting minutes and agendas, grant information, correspondence, financial information, publications, research materials, and annual reports.

Provenance: Files received as part of the records of the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, RG 073. Files covering Doug Purcell's activities with other organizations were assigned a separate record group by Wiregrass Archives staff.

Processing Notes: Separated from RG 073, Historic Chattahoochee Commission, 073-10-0106. Some folders were excessively large, so WA staff refoldered into multiple new files for better physical control

Preferred Citation: Doug Clare Purcell Papers, RG 143, Wiregrass Archives, Troy University Dothan Campus, Dothan, AL.

Access/User Limits? Open per gift agreement, 8/5/2024.

Proc Date: 5/8/13 Processor: DS

INVENTORY

File I.D.				File Label
143	10-0107	001	001	1996 Atlanta Olympics, 1990-1996
143	10-0107	001	002	AHC Board of Advisors - Annual Reports, 1986-1987
143	10-0107	001	003	AHC Board of Advisors - Architectural Review Board Conference, Oct 5, 1984
143	10-0107	001	004	AHC Board of Advisors - Breakdown of Districts & District Meeting Invitations, 1984-1986
143	10-0107	001	005	AHC Board of Advisors - By-Laws
143	10-0107	001	006	AHC Board of Advisors - Directories, 1983-1984
143	10-0107	001	007	AHC Board of Advisors - Financial Information, 1984
143	10-0107	001	008	AHC Board of Advisors - Meeting Agendas & Minutes, assorted 1983-89
143	10-0107	001	009	AHC Board of Advisors - Memos & Correspondence - To/From Doug Purcell, 1983-89
143	10-0107	001	010	AHC Board of Advisors - Memos & General Correspondence, 1983-89
143	10-0107	001	011	AHC Board of Advisors - Miscellaneous, 1983-1989
143	10-0107	001	012	AHC Board of Advisors - Organizational Information, 1983-1987
143	10-0107	001	013	AHC Board of Advisors - Preservation Bill, 1986
143	10-0107	001	014	AHC Board of Advisors - Workshop/Conference/Retreat materials, 1984-1987
143	10-0107	001	015	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - 2000 Matching Grant Requests (“Attractions/CVB/Chambers” NOT funded in 1999)
143	10-0107	001	016	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - 2000 Matching Grant Requests (“Events” NOT funded in 1999)
143	10-0107	001	017	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - 2000 Matching Grant Requests (“Attractions/CVB/Chambers” FUNDED in 1999)
143	10-0107	001	018	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - 2000 Matching Grant Requests (“Events FUNDED in 1999)
143	10-0107	001	019	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - Matching Grant Requests (2000?)
143	10-0107	001	020	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - 2002 Matching Grant Requests (“Festivals & Events” FUNDED in 2001)
143	10-0107	001	021	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - 2002 Matching Grant Requests (“Attractions/CVBs/Chambers/Tourism Organizations” FUNDED in 2001)
143	10-0107	001	022	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - 2002 Matching Grant Requests (“Festivals & Events” NOT funded in 2001)
143	10-0107	001	023	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - 2002 Matching Grant Requests (“Attractions/CVBs/Chambers/Tourism Organizations” NOT funded in 2001)
143	10-0107	001	024	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - Guidelines for Matching Grants, 2000-03
143	10-0107	001	025	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - Marketing Committee, 2000-2002
143	10-0107	001	026	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - Memos & Correspondence, 2000-2003
143	10-0107	001	027	Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel - Miscellaneous, 2001
143	10-0107	001	028	Alabama Preservation Alliance - 1993 Exemplary Award information
143	10-0107	001	029	Alabama Preservation Alliance - The Alliance Newsletter, assorted 1989-2003
143	10-0107	001	030	Alabama Preservation Alliance - Financial Reports, 1989-1990
143	10-0107	001	031	Alabama Preservation Alliance - General Memos & Correspondence, 1988-2003
143	10-0107	001	032	Alabama Preservation Alliance - Georgia's 1989 "Rambles" [Tours]
143	10-0107	001	033	Alabama Preservation Alliance - Meeting Minutes, assorted 1989-2003
143	10-0107	001	034	Alabama Preservation Alliance - Memos & Correspondence - To/From Doug Purcell, 1989-2003
143	10-0107	001	035	Alabama Preservation Alliance - Miscellaneous
143	10-0107	001	036	Alabama Preservation Alliance - Press Releases & Newspaper Articles. 1988-1997
143	10-0107	001	037	Americans with Disabilities Act, 1981-1992 [Folder 1 of 2]
143	10-0107	001	038	Americans with Disabilities Act, 1991-1995 [Folder 2 of 2]
143	10-0107	001	039	Dothan Mural Project - Artist Resumes, 1993
143	10-0107	001	040	Dothan Mural Project - Background on the Festival of Murals, 1995
143	10-0107	001	041	Dothan Mural Project - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, assorted, 1992-96
143	10-0107	001	042	Dothan Mural Project - By-Laws
143	10-0107	001	043	Dothan Mural Project - Correspondence - To/From Doug Purcell, 1992-1995
143	10-0107	001	044	Dothan Mural Project - Financial Statements, assorted, 1993-95
143	10-0107	001	045	Dothan Mural Project - Grant Application - Alabama State Council on the Arts, 1993
143	10-0107	001	046	Dothan Mural Project - Karl Shultz visit, 1993
143	10-0107	001	047	Dothan Mural Project - Memos & General Correspondence, 1992-1996
143	10-0107	001	048	Dothan Mural Project - Mural Article, 1993
143	10-0107	001	049	Dothan Mural Project - Mural Research Materials, 1993-1995
143	10-0107	001	050	Dothan Mural Project - Project Committee Meeting Minutes, 1992-1993
143	10-0107	001	051	Dothan Mural Project - Publications, 1993
143	10-0107	001	052	Dothan Mural Project - Subject Committee Meeting Minutes & Narrative Drafts, 1992-1994
143	10-0107	001	053	Eufaula, Alabama, 1979-2003
143	10-0107	002	001	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce - Annual Reports (1994, 1995 & 1997
143	10-0107	002	002	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce - Constitution & By-Laws
143	10-0107	002	003	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce - Correspondence & Memos, 1990-2003
143	10-0107	002	004	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce - Miscellaneous, 1991-2004
143	10-0107	002	005	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce - Newsbreak, 1991 (full run), 1992-97 (partial)
143	10-0107	002	006	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce - Newsletters, Press Releases, Newspaper Articles, 1991-2004
143	10-0107	002	007	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce - Organizational information, 1991-1996
143	10-0107	002	008	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce - Tourism Committee Meeting Minutes, 1990-92 + Education/Technology Committee Minutes for Mar 21, 1995
143	10-0107	002	009	Eufaula Chamber of Commerce – “TourisTalk” radio show dialogue
143	10-0107	002	010	Eufaula Heritage Association - Articles of Incorporation, 1965, 2002
143	10-0107	002	011	Eufaula Heritage Association - Board Minutes, assorted, 2001-2004
143	10-0107	002	012	Eufaula Heritage Association - Financial Information, 1988-2004
143	10-0107	002	013	Eufaula Heritage Association - Financial Statements & Supplementary Information, 2000-03
143	10-0107	002	014	Eufaula Heritage Association - General Memos & Correspondence, 1993-2003
143	10-0107	002	015	Eufaula Heritage Association - Memos & Correspondence - To/From Doug Purcell, 1988-2003
143	10-0107	002	016	Eufaula Heritage Association - Miscellaneous, 1988-2003
143	10-0107	002	017	Eufaula Heritage Association - Newspapers & Newsletters, 1989-2003
143	10-0107	002	018	Eufaula Heritage Association - Preservation Services Fund Grant Application, 2003
143	10-0107	002	019	Fendall Hall - Agendas, Minutes & Financial Reports, 1996-2004
143	10-0107	002	020	Fendall Hall - Genealogy, 1995
143	10-0107	002	021	Fendall Hall - General Memos & Correspondence, 1974-2004
143	10-0107	002	022	Fendall Hall - Lease Agreement
143	10-0107	002	023	Fendall Hall - Memos & Correspondence To/From Doug Purcell, 1973-2002
143	10-0107	002	024	Fendall Hall - Miscellaneous, 1973-2003
143	10-0107	002	025	Fendall Hall - Newspaper Articles, Newsletters & Press Releases, 1975-2003
143	10-0107	002	026	GA Dept. of Natural Resources, 1991-1998
143	10-0107	002	027	Georgia Historical Society "Footnotes" 1996-2003
143	10-0107	002	028	Governor Fob James, 1979-1983
143	10-0107	002	029	Henry County Historical Society, 1990-1993
143	10-0107	002	030	Originals for the Chattahoochee Trace Mini-Tour Guide, 1989-1990
143	10-0107	002	031	Rural Tourism Teleconference, 11-20-91
143	10-0107	002	032	Westville - Executive Director's Reports & Board of Trustees Minutes, 1985-1988
143	10-0107	002	033	Westville - Financial Reports, 1984-1987
143	10-0107	002	034	Westville - Memos & Correspondence, 1985-1987
143	10-0107	002	035	Westville - Newsletters & Press Releases, 1984-1987

Contact Us

Wiregrass Archives
Troy University Dothan Campus
Everett 128
502 University Dr.
Dothan, AL 36303

Phone: 334-983-6556 x21327
Email: wiregrassarchives@troy.edu