A gift idea for the holidays: Color Me Huntsville by Aaron Tanner

In previous posts, I commented on the benefits of adult coloring books. These items are a great distraction from the chaos that often accompanies modern life. People who suffer from various disabilities can enjoy this fantastic alternative to being on social media or staring into a smartphone all the time, which can lead to anxiety and depression.

This year, I received several coloring books from the Historic Huntsville Society called Color Me Huntsville for my birthday. The intrinsically designed drawings from local artists Carole Foret, Christina Green, and Christina Wegman depict the many historical buildings in our wonderful city. Next to the sketches are historical descriptions of the different sites. Color Me Huntsville celebrated Alabama’s Bicentennial when the state turned 200 years old in 2019.

One can learn about Huntsville’s past while coloring away the day’s stressful moments. For example, I never knew that the local Buffalo Soldiers Monument is the only one east of the Mississippi River dedicated to African-Americans soldiers who fought in the Civil War and Spanish American War. I also learned that the entrance to the McDowell House on Adams Street was built in the wrong location. One can color the First National Bank building, the Huntsville Depot, or the city’s many historic churches.

The Color Me Huntsville coloring books come in a set of three and make a wonderful Christmas or other holiday or birthday gift for all ages. These products are available for purchase on the Huntsville Historical Foundation website or at Harrison Brothers Hardware in downtown Huntsville.

Instead of getting a mass-produced item from a big box store, get a box of colored pencils and support a great organization this holiday city whose goal is to preserve Huntsville’s past for future generations to enjoy.

To order Color Me Huntsville coloring books, click here.