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Put your phone down.

Well, not until you’ve finished reading this column.

For the past 21 days, Atmore has been the host of the traveling exhibit, celebrating Alabama’s Bicentennial, which will culminate this December.

The exhibit is entirely interactive with visitors as electronic display boards detail the state’s history, from pre-historic times to present day.

Additionally, there is a lot of history on Escambia County. For instance, did you know that the county celebrated its sesquentennial last year? I didn’t until recently.

Dana Vickrey, who is on the Bicentennial Committee for Atmore — which I am a part of as well — spoke to the Atmore Rotary Club on May 21.

As I sat there listening to Vickrey talk about the exhibit, something stood out to me.

She spoke about the fact that history, documentation wise, is fading.

Yeah, I know I document the goings on of the city/county every week. But, her point is the family history, local history, needs to be recorded or it will pass on, forgotten.

She encouraged the club members, and I am as well, to sit down with their living relatives and write down any local piece of history they can provide through their families.

I agree, it’s important that we all record this for future generations.

Now, put the phone down and get to work.