Dr. John Kvach, assistant professor of history at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, is in Covington County this week as part of his work with the Smithsonian exhibit The Way We Worked, which will be in Andalusia Jan. 4 through Feb. 8.

The exhibit, which is currently in Red Bay, Ala., focuses on how Alabamians worked over time and place and highlights the work experiences of Americans as part of the nation’s story. Kvach is supplementing the traveling exhibit with teacher workshops and public lectures as well as an oral history project that will record the voices of state residents.

Yesterday, he was at Straughn Elementary, Red Level Elementary, and with county high school faculty. Today he will be at Andalusia Elementary, be a part of the AMS Living History Parade at 9:30 a.m., then at Opp City Schools. Tonight, he will have a public lecture at Andalusia City Hall at 6:30.

The oral history project trains public school teachers and high school students to conduct interviews with local residents. Kvach hopes that the oral history component of the exhibit and the exhibit itself will allow students to engage their community’s history and encourage the public to help preserve Alabama’s historical legacy.

The Alabama Humanities Foundation is working with the Smithsonian and the National Archives and Alabama Power to bring the exhibit to Alabama.

When the exhibit is in Andalusia in January, a number of complementary events are planned.