In this episode of Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage, we sit down with Dr. Matthew Downs—historian, editor of The Alabama Review, and current president of the Alabama Historical Association.

Downs shares his passion for uncovering Alabama’s past, from the vibrant history of Mobile to the complexities of Prohibition-era Birmingham. We also chat about his new leadership role with the AHA and his work as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Mobile.

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you in partnership with the Poarch Creek Band Indians.

Alabama Heritage magazine's editor, Susan Reynolds, sits down with Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage to discuss the latest issue of the magazine.

The Summer 2025 Issue highlights the artistry of quilter Yvonne Wells, the story of Big Sam Dale, women's suffrage in LaFayette, Alabama, and reforestation efforts in the Tennessee River Valley during the mid-1900s.

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.

Bert Hitchcock, a respected author and historian in Alabama, joins the Coffee & History team in Auburn to discuss his literary career, what it means to be a Southern Gentleman, and the lore of Marengo Jake.

Hitchcock is the professor emeritus of the English Department at Auburn University.

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.

On this week's episode of Coffee & History, we sit down with Hiztorical Vision Productions' founder Theo Moore II to discuss his role in sharing Black history within the community, the founding of his nonprofit, and why Alabama's Black History Matters.

In honor of Juneteenth, Alabama Heritage invites you to learn more about our state's Black history by visiting alabamaheritage.com for exclusive #FromTheVault reads.

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.

Jim Baggett, author and former archivist with the Birmingham Public Library, talks about the legacy of Birmingham's madam Louise Wooster, politician Bull Connor, and the mysterious black bears in Mentone. Baggett's most recent article, Birmingham's Milk Wars, is in Issue 156 of Alabama Heritage magazine.

Brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.

Subscribe to Alabama Heritage by visiting alabamaheritage.com

Dr. Dianne Bragg joins the Coffee & History team to share her passion for teaching history to college students, the lasting impact of her neighbor, Mrs. Brannon, and her day-to-day life. Bragg is an associate professor of journalism and creative media at the University of Alabama.

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.

Mike Bunn, director of the Historic Blakeley State Park, joins Coffee & History at the annual Alabama Historical Association's meeting in Opelika, Alabama. Bunn, who is quickly becoming the most prolific writer for Alabama Heritage, shares his tales of understanding the Mississippi Delta and its impact on the state, as well as other memories of his journeys.

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage catches up with Maiben Beard at the 2025 Alabama Historical Association's annual meeting. Maiben details her journey into the historical community, what it's like to be the secretary for the Alabama Historical Association, and her committment to preserving Alabama's history.

Maiben has been with Auburn University’s Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities since 2008. She also curates and interprets the historic 1847 Scott-Yarbrough House.

Coffee & History: A Conversation with Alabama Heritage is brought to you by Wind Creek Hospitality and the Poarch Creek Indians.