Those interested in learning more about the Alabama Bicentennial PastPort or recent upgrades to the Donnell House can do so at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Donnell House’s annual membership meeting.

They are also encouraged to become members.

State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, serves as chairman of the Alabama Bicentennial Commission and will be speaking on the PastPort program. According to the Alabama 200 website, the 174-page printed PastPort features nearly 300 historic sites, landmarks and museums across Alabama’s 67 counties, combined with information and original artwork.

There is also an online version in the form of a free, interactive mobile app. The Donnell House is one of four locations listed for Limestone County.

“The Donnell House will be open starting next week for people to come for tours and to get their PastPort stamped,” said Alice Tiller, curator of the Donnell House.

The site will be open 10 a.m. until noon each Tuesday and 2–4 p.m. each Thursday until October, Tiller said, adding they are thrilled to have the senator join them at the meeting to discuss the project.

The meeting will also cover improvements to the Donnell House.

“We have new pine hardwood floors in the kitchen and bathroom area thanks to Rep. Danny Crawford,” Tiller said.

She said they also had sofas and paintings restored in the home.

“We welcome people to come and see,” Tiller said. “We’re hoping all kinds of people will visit.”

Tiller said students in Beth Horn’s Advancement Via Individual Determination elective class at Athens Middle School visited the home to assist in improvements.

“They painted the handicap ramp,” Tiller said. “We furnished the paint for them, but they scraped the old paint off and put down the new.”

She said the Donnell House was contacted at the beginning of the year, and students worked from about February through the end of the school year. They pulled weeds from the garden, planted seeds, gathered stray limbs and generally helped clear the yard around the house.

“We appreciate it so much,” Tiller said.

The Donnell House is located at 601 S. Clinton St. in Athens. Originally completed in 1851, the home has served as a family home, quarters for Union soldiers in the Civil War, the home of multiple principals, a superintendent’s home and a boys’ school, among other things.

It still sits in the middle of a school campus, though it is used primarily to host special events, such as weddings, showers and reunions.

To begin or renew membership with the Donnell House is $25. Tiller said they rely on the $25 membership fees and other donations to support the costs of maintaining the home.

“We are not in anybody’s budget, so membership is a big thing for us,” Tiller said. “Membership carries us a long way, and it’s like a donation to a beautiful, restored home in Athens, Alabama. We really count on those memberships.”

Those who cannot attend the meeting can mail in their membership fees or donations in the form of a check to Donnell House, P.O. Box 465, Athens, AL 35612. For more information on reservations and hosting, call Tiller at 239-249-2211 or email abjnaples@aol.com.