MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History plans to retire Oct. 1 after a 30-year career.
Sixty-six-year-old Ed Bridges says he doesn't have the energy needed to continue. But before stepping down, he plans to raise the last $500,000 needed to reach a $7 million goal for adding a new gallery. The gallery will trace Alabama's history from 1700 to the present.
Former Gov. Bob Riley says Bridges has devoted his life to preserving the foundation that Alabama will use to build its future, which he calls a remarkable legacy.
Bridges says he plans to write a book about Alabama history after retiring.
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