In addition to the authority granted to the commission under Sections 41-9-320, and 41-9-325 to 41-9-328, inclusive, the commission is further authorized to offer technical assistance to other 19th Century ironworks or related industrial preservation projects in Alabama as funds are available and to conduct an inventory of historic ruins appropriate to this critical period in the industrial heritage of the state. The commission may preserve, restore, acquire, maintain, and promote the sites and accept by gift, grant, long-term lease or other legal conveyance properties which contributed to the heritage of the antebellum iron and coal industry of the state.
Ala. Code § 41-9-332 (1975)