Tom Walker, Founder of The American Village in Montevallo, Passes Away at 71

September 25, 2025 - After working as a city clerk and then the city manager for the city of Northport in West Alabama, Tom Walker returned to his alma mater, The University of Montevallo, to work as an assistant to the president of the university. It was there that he conceived his idea of building a new city of his own. But, not just any city. For with a degree in history and political science from The University of Montevallo, Mr. Walker had a lifelong interest in history, and his idea was to create an historically themed city that would educate people on American history. Thus, after being chartered in 1995 with Mr. Walker as its executive director, on November 30th, 1999, The American Village, a colonial era replica village built on 188 acres in Shelby County, opened its doors to the public.

Walker passed away on the same day that the Thomas G. Walker Jr. Independence Hall was being dedicated.

"Today was a good day for Alabama as we dedicated the Thomas G. Walker, Jr. Independence Hall," said Governor Kay Ivey on X. "Though saddened by the passing of my friend Tom, his vision will live on. This landmark will teach future generations liberty and good citizenship — just as Tom intended."

Since that grand opening at the end of the 20th century, The American Village Citizenship Trust has served over three-quarters of a million students from the Southeast and currently draws thousands of visitors from the public at large, every year. Additionally, due to the presence of The American Village Citizenship Trust in Montevallo, the Department of Veterans Affairs was inspired to purchase land in Montevallo in July of 2007 to establish the Alabama National Cemetery, a United States National Cemetery designed to serve veterans’ needs for at least fifty years. With the former American Major Leage Baseball pitcher, Virgil Oliver “Fire” Trucks, choosing it as his final resting place due to his service in the United State Navy during World War II.

Believing that historical landmarks and historical replicas provide the context for abstract ideas, Mr. Tom Walker continued his commitment to early American history throughout the remainder of his life. He was one of sixteen people appointed by Congressional leaders to serve on the United States Semisesquincentennial Commission, a commission focused on planning for the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence on July 04th, 2026. Additionally, while a smaller scale replica of George Washinton’s Mount Vernon anchors the colonial village replica that is The American Village Citizenship Trust, Tom Walker continued adding replicas of historical landmarks to the village. Most recently raising $18 million dollars for a recreation of the Independence Hall in Philadelphia to be built at The American Village. A hall which opened on Thursday, September 25th, 2025, the very same day on which Mr. Tom Walker passed away at the age of 71.

A native of Albertville in Northeast Alabama, Tom Walker met his future wife, Betty Ann Driver, while attending an SGA meeting as an undergraduate at The University of Montevallo. Wed in 1976, together they had three children, Dr Jefferson Walker, Matt Walker, and Jane Walker Herndon. After graduating from The University of Montevallo, Tom Walker attended graduate school at Mississippi State where he received a master’s degree in political science.

With The American Village Citizenship Trust being a landmark attraction in Alabama, Mr. Tom Walker was and is highly respected throughout the state for his successful vision. With notable figures throughout the state lamenting his passing. Including, U.S. Senator, Coach Tommy Tuberville, who stated on his social media pages that “Tom Walker had an unwavering dedication to educating Alabamians on America’s founding history. Few people loved our country more. I was honored to have visited American Village a few weeks ago to host a Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing. Tom will be deeply missed. Please join me in praying for his family, friends, and everyone at the American Village.”