The Alabama museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Gulf of Mexico is bracing for a potential name change after US President Donald Trump announced his plan to rename the world’s largest gulf from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Karen Poth, the museum’s owner, expressed her shock at Trump’s decision, saying “My personality is to laugh… Or else you cry.” The Alabama museum was renamed in 2022, however, the name change may be met with resistance due to its potential impact on global identity and unity.
Historian Jack E Davis claims the new name is too confining, stating “It takes my mind beyond what we call America, beyond the US to other people to other places.” He suggests that recognizing the Gulf’s geographic breadth would acknowledge its challenges and shared resource. The zone faces numerous threats in the coming century from pollution, coastal erosion, and climate change.
The Alabama museum consistently surprises visitors with its exhibits, which showcase the Gulf’s waters as one of the world’s most productive fisheries and largest oil-producing regions. It also highlights its influence on transatlantic shipping routes and moderation of Western Europe’s weather.
Renaming the Gulf could have implications for global identity and unity. Historian Deanne Stephens notes that people recognize the region as a place of opportunity, regardless of their background. The name change may spark debate among scholars, tourists, and local residents alike.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250205-the-alabama-museum-grappling-with-the-gulf-of-america