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Tom Walker
American Village Founder and President Emeritus
A true American Patriot
Tom Walker is the Founder and President Emeritus of the American Village, chartered in 1995. In the late 1980s he conceived the idea of the American Village to be an American history and civics educational campus to inspire and prepare young people for their roles as good citizens and leaders. He led efforts to build the 188-acre campus just south of Birmingham, AL in Montevallo, and to design and implement its widely-acclaimed and engaging history and civics programs. The campus has served over three-quarters of a million students from throughout the Southeastern United States since its opening and draws thousands of public visitors each year.
Tom Walker at the November 30, 1999 grand opening of the American Village campus
Walker, pictured second from the left on the back row, with other members of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission
In 2017 Tom Walker was one of only sixteen citizens appointed by Congressional leaders to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. The Commission is responsible for leading the Nation’s 250th birthday celebration and commemoration of American Independence in 2026. He was unanimously elected as Vice Chairman of the national commission at its first meeting in Philadelphia.
Tom earned his B.A. with Honors in History and Political Science at the University of Montevallo and his M.A. in Political Science at Mississippi State University.
In December (2020) Walker was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws by Troy University. He has received numerous other honors. He is a past recipient of the American Bar Association’s highest national award for excellence in K-12 law-related education. He is the recipient of the DAR Medal of Honor and the SAR Gold Citizenship Medal, the highest national honors awarded by the National Societies of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and of the Sons of the American Revolution, respectively. He has received numerous other state, regional and national awards and was named a few years ago as “Birmingham Citizen of the Year” by The Women’s Committee of Birmingham.
Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. presents Walker the Honorary Doctor of Laws
Walker is former City Manager of Northport, AL and formerly served as Special Assistant to the President at the University of Montevallo. He is the former Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of Montevallo and was the founding chair of the Alabama Higher Education Partnership. Tom is both a writer and speaker. He advocates teaching American history, government and civic engagement as a vital part of an American education for students.
Tom transitioned to the role of President Emeritus on March 1, 2022.
He is married to the former Betty Ann Driver of Montgomery and they have three adult children and one grandson.
The Walker family, pictured at Tom’s retirement reception: (L to R) Dr. Jefferson Walker (son), Tom Walker, Matt Walker (s0n), Betty Walker (wife), Candace Walker (daughter-in-law), Jane Herndon (daughter), Wells Herndon (grandson), and Josh Herndon (son-in-law).
