Forgotten Washington County Alabama

08/19/2026

Washington County History!

07/05/2026

The Washington County Flag has historic connections to the “America 250 Celebration”.
1776 marks the year the thirteen colonies declared independence from British rule. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

In 1976, in honor of America’s Bicentennial Celebration for 1776, the Washington County Arts & Craft Association sponsored a countywide “Flag Design Contest”. Millry High School teacher, Rev. Richmond Chaney, challenged his 9th graders to enter the contest and Nathaniel Henry from Millry Alabama was the winner.

*The flag became Washington County’s first official county flag. Making Henry the first African-American in the state of Alabama to design an official county flag for the County “Where Alabama Began”.

Nathaniel Henry played a significant role in the history of designing the first official county flag for the first establish county in Alabama!

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence, and the 50th anniversary of the Washington County flag.
The Washington County Flag exhibit can be viewed at the Washington County Courthouse.
The display commemorates the Washington County Flag and the connection to the Declaration of Independence’s celebration.

Recognition: On Dec. 13, 2019 Henry was honored by Washington County and the State of Alabama for his contribution to Washington County. The ceremony was coordinated by the Prestwick Preservation Society in collaboration with The Town of Chatom, The Washington County Commission, the Washington County Board of Education, Washington County Hospital, the Washington County Museum and our sponsors.

06/30/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D8DyZgPWS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Did you know Washington was Alabama's first county? A museum exhibit commemorates this and America's 250th anniversary. https://www.wkrg.com/alabama-news/washington-county/washington-county-museum-exhibition/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WKRG

06/28/2026

Healing Springs, located in southwest Alabama in Washington County, approximately 1.5 miles west of the town of Millry.

06/26/2026

Please Join Us at St Stephens Museum to Celebrate the History of Alabama's 1st County. In collaboration with the Smithsonian's Museum on Mainstreet... we will Display in the 1854 Washington County Courthouse in New St Stephens.
Saturday June 27th thru Sunday July 5th 2pm to 6pm
YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO VISIT THE DISPLAY BEFORE HEADING TO YOUR TOWN'S FIREWORKS!!
Our Country's 250 is a great time to brush up on history and share it with your kids!
For the remainder of July, we will open every Tuesday & Thursday 10am to 2pm
You have a group you would like to bring?
Message us to set up a special tour.

06/03/2026

On yesterday evening, June 2, 2026, several historic Washington County buildings, historic homes and old oak trees well over a hundred years old were damaged… some old trees were totally blown down by a storm or possible tornado that came through the Leroy area. Damage to the Richardson, Pearson and other properties were quite significant! these pictures were taken in just one area of Leroy. I’m sure there was damage done in other areas that I didn’t see. 
**If everyone has photos of yesterdays storm damage in Washington County, please post !

04/29/2026

CHATOM, ALABAMA