Historians, investors and members of the community gathered inside Selma’s Mabry-Jones House to listen to presentations encouraging them to “remember,” “reclaim” and “restore” one of the Black Belt’s lost treasures: Old Cahawba.

As the state’s first capital in 1819, Cahawba once thrived as a rich farming and cotton-growing area in the Black Belt before flooding caused many businesses and residents to move away, resulting in its “ghost town” moniker.

Old Cahawba Archaeological Park director Linda Derry said Cahawba was “the epitome of the antebellum cotton south” but now remains a place of “relics” and “ruins.”

“There’s a genetic tie between Selma and Cahawba — I think of Cahawba as Selma’s older sister,” Derry said. “Cahawba had large mansions and the largest artesian well in the world … it’s time for restoration and renewal …”

The Alabama Historical Commission currently owns 65 percent of Cahawba’s property and desires to purchase the remaining property that is under-maintained and unprotected, but state funding is limited. The Cahaba Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 2008, has come on board with a desire to secure private financial support from individuals, corporations and foundations, to restore the site. With an estimated cost of $2 million for the project that includes legal paperwork and the purchasing of privately owned property, the foundation has already raised $700,000.

“To it’s great credit, the Alabama Historical Commission realized Cahawba was a historical place,” said foundation president Daniel J. Meador. “Twenty-seven acres belong to the commission. Join us in the effort … investment in this foundation is investment in land … “

Derry said “renewal” for the county starts with giving.

“The Cahaba Foundation is a God-send,” Derry said. “If you want to see renewal for Selma (and) Dallas County, then you’ll want to contribute.”

To give your charitable donation to the Foundation, write to: The Cahaba Foundation, 719 Tremont St., Selma, Ala. 36701 or visit www.cahabafoundation.org.