Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. will join members of the Autauga County Heritage Association to celebrate Daniel Pratt's birthday, July 20, 1799, with a wreath laying ceremony at his gravesite. Daniel Pratt, known as "Alabama's First Industrialist," founded Prattville in 1839. Descendants of the Pratt family traditionally attend this annual event at the family cemetery, which overlooks the buildings where Pratt's manufacturing enterprises were housed.
We have always celebrated this event on Daniel Pratt's birthday, but this year ACHA and Prattville Downtown Unlimited have joined together to create "Founder's Day Magic", which is a new event held as part of Magic on Main on the evening of July 18th in downtown Prattville.
"The Autauga County Heritage Association hopes that holding our Founder's Day traditions along with PDU's Magic on Main will provide a better opportunity for our residents and visitors to participate and learn more about the history of our great city," said Heritage Museum Director Rachel Deaile.
Opening ceremonies will be held in front of City Hall and will include live entertainment. "Daniel Pratt" will be walking around town for photo opportunities. There will be a horse-drawn carriage available for rides. Join ACHA for cake and punch in front of the Heritage Museum on the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets. The evening will end with drawings and a movie short.
"On behalf of this great City of ours, I cordially invite you to join me in honoring our founding father, Daniel Pratt," said Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. "Without his insight, Alabama would not have progressed in the manner that it has. He is deserving of this ceremony to pay homage to his legacy."
For any additional information, you may call the Autauga County Heritage Association/Prattaugan Museum at 361-0961.