Category Archives: Annual meeting

Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, Cake Contest, Food History, Publications

Photo Highlights from the Annual Meeting

First the PROGRAM! Birmingham boosters Stewart Dansby and Tom Cosby had the audience enthusiastically participating in a “Birmingham IQ” quiz highlighting the many superlatives that make Birmingham a great place to live. Did you know…? WOW! The audience was impressed by stats and amenities that are often overlooked by Birmingham natives.

Birmingham Historical Society President Wayne Hester begins the annual meeting as the audience reviews multiple choice answers to the “Birmingham IQ” quiz by Tom Cosby and Stewart Dansby.

Stewart Dansby and Tom Cosby created a list of multiple choice answers to test Birmingham’s knowledge of their city.

Group of five individuals posing for a photo at an event, with one person holding a tote bag that says 'Monet to Matisse'.
Pictured left to right: Stewart Dansby, Maury Shevin, Jennifer Chandler (Vulcan Park & Museum), Graham Boettcher (Birmingham Museum of Art), and Tom Cosby. Maury Shevin was the winner of the Birmingham IQ test. Jennifer and Graham donated prizes along with prizes from Lyric Theater, Rickwood Field, and Birmingham Historical Society.

Next the BOOK!

Birmingham Historical Society members all received a copy of Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City, a definitive guide of over 50 years of research by Marjorie White about her adopted city. Tasked with directing the organization as a newcomer, one of her first goals was to create a guide and many years and over 70 publications later, this is the not-to-be-missed result. A book signing by Marjorie White followed the meeting.

Available locally at Thank You Books, Shoppe, Birmingham Museum of Art, and at Birmingham Historical Society.

After the quiz, Birmingham Historical Society VP, Rick Sprague, reported on the progress of the society since a survey produced a strategic plan that was published in 2020. He noted that ALL goals have been achieved and in some cases surpassed!


Followed by the CAKES! In recognition of the guide book’s history, all of the cakes entered used recipes that were over 50 years old with some interesting stories to accompany them.

A round, frosted cake with a smooth white icing and small red flecks, placed on a decorative glass cake stand.

And finally many thanks to the JUDGES! Three members of Les Dames d’Escoffier Birmingham agreed to judge the cakes. Christiana Roussel, Sonthe Burge, and Charbett Cauthen. We were delighted to have their expertise and share in their enthusiasm for all things culinary!

Three women smiling together at a table with desserts, including cakes and a potted plant, at an event.
Two women engage in conversation at a table filled with various desserts and snacks during an event, with a large cake prominently displayed.
A decorated table featuring several cakes and desserts, with greenery accents and decorative place settings. Three women are engaged in conversation nearby.
A pecan meringue torte displayed on a glass plate, partially sliced to reveal its interior layers. The dessert is on a yellow serving platter alongside a knife and a rolled cloth napkin. A yellow award ribbon reads 'Best Visual Presentation.'
Judges left to right: Christiana Roussel, Sonthe Burge, and Charbett Cauthen. BHS Trustee and cake contest organizer, Carolanne Roberts, chats with Christiana.

Thank you to all who participated and especially to all who attended!

Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, Cake Contest, City of Birmingham, Meetings, Membership, Publications

ANNUAL MEETING, Birmingham by the Book Introduction & Event Highlights

  • Monday, February 23rd, 2026, 7:00 PM
  • Birmingham Botanical Gardens Auditorium
  • Free and open to the public

Available NOW!

BUY HERE ON AMAZON.COM
or support our local vendors: Shoppe in Forest Park and Thank You Books in Crestwood

Cover of 'Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City' published by the Birmingham Historical Society, featuring an aerial view of Birmingham at sunset.
Invitation to the Annual Meeting of the Birmingham Historical Society, featuring the introduction of 'Birmingham by the Book.'

What’s Your Birmingham IQ? with Birmingham boosters Tom Cosby and Stewart Dansby

Cosby and Dansby are former public relations and marketing officers of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and leaders in our city and in the saving and conserving of its landmarks, notably Vulcan, Rickwood Field, and the Lyric

And featuring Birmingham Historical Society’s annual cake contest with this year’s theme: Cakes with a Past

A flyer for a cake contest titled 'Cakes with a Past' featuring colorful illustrations of cakes. The flyer outlines the mission, rules, and judging categories for participants. It invites entries that celebrate memories associated with cakes from the past 50 years.
Cakes with a Past
A cake background form for the Birmingham Historical Society's 'Cakes with a Past' contest, dated February 23, 2026, featuring sections for personal information, cake details, and a recipe.
Rules

Annual meeting, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Book Sale, City of Birmingham, Historic Preservation, Neighborhoods, Publications, Research, UAB

Coming in February! An Epic Guide to Birmingham!

Do you think you know this city? Or are you a visitor, and you would like to know more? This guide is for YOU! Heavily illustrated with maps, tours, and descriptions of everything Birmingham, this is the culmination of 50 years of research and detailed publications by Birmingham Historical Society. This highly readable guide is unlikely to become outdated, so don’t miss out. It’s a valuable resource for every resident and visitor to our Magic City!

Back cover of a book titled 'Birmingham by the Book' featuring a colorful mural that says 'It's nice to have you in BIRMINGHAM' against a brick wall, surrounded by greenery.

The guide is to be released at the Annual Meeting of the Birmingham Historical Society on February 23rd at 7:00 PM at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens auditorium. This event is FREE and open to the public, and guides will be available for purchase.

A Guide to Architectural Styles, Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, BOOK, Historic Preservation

In Appreciation to Bham Now – Birmingham’s Modern Media

Just a taste of some of Birmingham’s fine historic architecture that will also be featured in the Historical Society’s upcoming guide to Birmingham to be released in February 2026 at the annual meeting (free and open to the public). Thank you Bham Now for sharing the wonderful photography in this quick reel below.

Facade of the Massey Building in Birmingham, AL, featuring ornate architectural details and a grand entrance.

#City Federal Building #Massey Building #John Hand Building #McAdory Building

Annual meeting, Architecture, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, City of Birmingham

Birmingham’s Architectural Evolution

In the July issue of Birmingham Lifestyle Magazine celebrating exploration, Birmingham natives are reminded that there is much to explore in their own hometown. The monthly magazine “is a community-focused magazine that aims to connect the residents to the people, places and things that make our city special…highlighting the most positive aspects of living here.” BHS is delighted that they often choose to include Birmingham’s history as well.

Birmingham Historical Society will soon release a guidebook with not only visitor landmarks, but also the history behind each one, and the significant forces that led to their establishment. To be titled ‘Birmingham by the Book”, it’s scheduled to be released on February 23, 2026 at the annual meeting, open to the public, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Stay tuned for more information.

A newspaper article featuring Birmingham's architectural history, showcasing buildings like the Floyette Building and Zinsser Building, with a focus on the city's industrial past.
A tall historic building with a decorative top under a blue sky, featuring a promotional text for a new guidebook titled 'Birmingham by the Book'.

Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, Book Sale, civil rights, Historic Preservation, Meetings, Membership, Research, Rickwood Field

Thank you Friends of Rickwood (Photo Gallery)

Much appreciation to the speaker at our 83rd Annual Meeting, Gerald Watkins, Director of Friends of Rickwood, along with all the other Rickwood Friends who were in attendance. Critical to the preservation of the nation’s OLDEST BALL PARK, these baseball enthusiasts are holding the HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey) poster that certified Rickwood’s age and importance.

Friend of Rickwood left to right: Mike Newton, Coke Mathews, Sam Fisher, Ben Cook, Lamar Smith, and Gerald Watkins. Not pictured but in attendance, Tom Cosby

But before that 1993 certification, Tom Cosby, Terry Slaughter, and Coke Mathews recognized the importance of the ballpark, and led fundraising efforts which ultimately led to Birmingham Historical Society’s involvement in the HABS documentation. It’s a preservation success story that put Birmingham on the map, bringing its first Major League Baseball game to Rickwood in 2024. (View all the drawings and documentation at the Library of Congress HERE at HABS AL-897)

Gerald Watkins shared not only his enthusiasm for the sport, and the struggles in maintaining the park, but also the ongoing support that will be necessary to sustain it. Want to help? Attend an event! Or contribute to its support HERE

photos by Louise McPhillips

Friends of Rickwood
HABS AL-897 poster
Books available about Rickwood Field
Carolanne Roberts, with winners of Chocolate Cake contest
Gerald Watkins, Director of Friends of Rickwood
Tom Cosby, early supporter of fundraising to preserve Rickwoood field
Wayne Hester, President Birmingham Historical Society
Marjorie White, Director Birmingham Historical Society
Trustees Carol Slaughter and Kaydee Erdreich

Read more about Rickwood’s history in our BHS newsletter HERE (downloadable pdf document) and in our archives HERE

Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Historical Society, Cake & Pie Contest, Cake Contest, Food History

And The Winners Are…

Birmingham Historical Society’s Great Chocolate Cake Contest, February 24, 2025 at the 83rd Annual Meeting.

Thank you to all those who participated! Lots of hard choices every year, but lots of fun this year tasting all the chocolate creations! Thank you once again to Trustee Carolanne Roberts for organizing this popular event. And a special thank you to this year’s judges:

  • Susan Swagler – Food Writer
  • Pam Lolley – Former Southern Living Test Kitchen (and both members of the prestigious Les Dames d’Escoffier
  • 17-year old Robert White – aspiring chef and enthusiastic taste tester!

Award Winners

Aunt Irene’s Devil’s Food cake by Olivia Allison
Chocolate Ice Box Cake by Susan Haskell
Barefoot Contessa Cake by Marjorie Lee White


Flourless Orange Chocolate Cake by Lane Franklin
Jolly Roger Rum Cake by Patrici Sprague
Very Good Chocolate Cake by Anne Ledvina
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Drizzle by Grace White
German Chocolate Cake by Elizabeth Hester
Czech Kefir Cake by Anne Ledvina
Thank you to our Judges! Susan Swagler – food journalist, Pam Lolley – former Southern Living Test Kitchen, and Robert White, 17 year old aspiring chef!

Best Visual Presentation: Aunt Irene’s Devil’s Food Cake by Olivia Allison.

Judges’ comment: “Beautiful presentation: hearts and flowers.”

Best Flavor Profile: Chocolate Ice Box Cake by Susan Haskell

Judges’ comment:“ “Loved the combination of lady fingers with the airy light icing.”

Baker’s comment: “It was served for special occasions when I was growing up. The recipe was my grandmother’s. I do not make it often.“

Most Pleasing Texture: Barefoot Contessa’s Chocolate Cake by Marjorie Lee White

Judges’ comment: “Lovely texture and very professional looking”

Most Chocolatey Cake Creation: Flourless Orange Chocolate Cake  by Lane Franklin

Judges’ comment: “Very rich with deep chocolate flavor and a hint of orange.”

Baker’s comment: “This elegant flourless chocolate cake is topped with a Grand Marnier whipped cream. Hints of citrus and clove-perfect for the holidays with family and friends! Recipe from Tricia Stuedman. I make it often for the holidays.”

Best Memory Statement:  Jolly Roger Rum Cake by Patricia Sprague

Judges’ comment:“ “Loved the mix of pirates and church ladies, made us laugh.”

Baker’s comment: “It is a favorite of Caribbean Pirates and Southern Church Ladies., Just the thing for a little morning nip with tea” The recipe is Ann Best’s. I make it as often as needed.”

Best Overall Cake: Very Good Chocolate Cake by Anne  Ledvina

Judges’ comment: “Definitely lived up to its name. wonderful!!!”

Baker’s comment: “This is a recipe from Edna Lewis and James Peacock, two Southern cooks. I make it often.”

Kudos to The Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Drizzle by Grace White

Baker’s comment: “My grandmother used to make it all the time when I was younger. It has been one of my favorites for years. It is my grandmother’s recipe. I do not make it as much as I would like to.”

Kudos to the German Chocolate Cake by Elizabeth Hester 

Baker’s comment: “This cake was made by my mother every year for my birthday as a child. It’s still one of my favorite cakes although I rarely make it. Recipe from the New York Times. I do not make it often; it takes too long to make!’

Other cakes presented: 

Czech Kefir Cake by Annie Ledvina.

Baker’s comment: “This is a classic chocolate cake of the Czech people. All Czechs cook it for birthdays and other occasions. It is my father’s recipe. Yes! I make it often.”

Mimi’s Chocolate Cake with Aunt Cam’s Frosting by Carolanne Roberts

Baker’s comment: “We ate it at every function, but I’d never tried making it until yesterday. A challenge! Both women died in the 1960s — hope they’d be proud of me! The recipe is by Eleanor Bishop and Cam Bishop.”

Chocolate Applesauce Cake, Chocolate Apple Cake, and Mint Chocolate Ice Box Cake (made with Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies) , the latter cakes iced with a Ganache by Marjorie White.

Baker’s comment: “Profiled on Instagram, these cakes sounded good and were said to be quick to make and bake. They were neither quick nor easy to make and bake, but three loads of the full dishwasher later, they were quite tasty.” 

Czech Kefir Cake by Anne Ledvina
Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Drizzle by Grace White
Flourless Orange Chocolate Cake by Lane Franklin
German Chocolate Cake by Elizabeth Hester
Mint Chocolate Icebox Cake by Marjorie White
Barefoot Contessa Cake by Marjorie Lee White
Chocolate Chip Pound Cake by Carolanne Roberts
Very Good Chocolate Cake by Anne Ledvina
Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Historical Society, Cake & Pie Contest, Cake Contest, Favorite Pie & Cake Contest, Food History

All About Chocolate!

A much anticipated part of Birmingham Historical Society’s annual meeting is the cake and/or pie contest featuring members’ historic recipes. Cakes are judged and prizes are awarded each year based on creativity, taste, memories, and presentation.

This year’s contest was all about chocolate! Conceived each year by BHS Trustee Carolanne Roberts, this year’s theme was “The Great Chocolate Cake Contest” – the richer and more decadent, the better! Lots of participants meant that there were not enough prizes so new awards were invented to properly acknowledge all the hard work of this year’s bakers!

A tasting followed this year’s speaker, Gerald Watkins, Director of Friends of Rickwood, who gave an enthusiastic history of Birmingham’s own Field of Dreams!

Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Book Sale, civil rights, Meetings, Membership, Research, Rickwood Field

Field of Dreams – Fun Facts!

Do you know the compelling history of America’s oldest ball field? Last night at Birmingham Historical Society’s annual meeting, baseball enthusiast and Friends of Rickwood Director, Gerald Watkins, powerfully recounted the legendary games played on this iconic ground. He also recounted many of the famous players that began their careers on this historic ball field including Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, and Reggie Jackson.

He acknowledged the important part the Society contributed to Rickwood in documenting the age, historical significance, and in verifying the anecdotal stories that the Friends of Rickwood had been using to raise funds for its restoration. Upon the completion of the research, Rickwood was officially confirmed to be the oldest ball park in the nation, and national leagues began to take interest, resulting in Alabama’s first Major League Baseball game in 2024.

Friends of Rickwood Director Gerald Watkins with Birmingham Historical Society Director Marjorie White hold a poster documenting the process of establishing Rickwood’s significance through the National Park Service’s Historic America Buidlings Survey (HABS)

Watkins recounted the struggles the Friends endured in preparing the field for the Major Leagues as well as the fundraising necessary for maintaining the standards required to sustain the relationship. And he acknowledged the Friends who were in the audience including Tom Cosby who along with Terry Slaughter and Coke Mathews led the early promotional efforts.

Erected in 1910, Rickwood Field stands as a monument not just to thrilling baseball moments, but also to the profound social and cultural evolution of the sport. The Birmingham Black Barons began playing in 1920 in the Negro Leagues, and Rickwood served as a gathering place for Birmingham’s black community attracting large crowds until integration caused the Black Barons to dissolve in 1963 and Rickwood shut down for several years.

Several books have been written about Rickwood’s history which were available at the meeting including this tribute book above. Watkins shared that while the Friends hoped that Birmingham native Willie Mays would be at Rickwood’s first Major League game in 2024, he passed that same day, memorializing him forever in Rickwood’s memories.

These three books, companions to one another, celebrate Rickwood Field, the primary ball park of Birmingham professional baseball teams from 1910 to 1987. Each book is a building block in a trilogy on the history of the legendary ball park. Each book stands alone, complete within itself, but together they form a structure larger than its parts: a trilogy. 

The three books tell the story of people, places, and events of the early twentieth century and make you feel a part of history, not an observer of it. The books explore world events, American history, and the game of baseball when it was — and perhaps still is — this country’s most culturally relevant sport.

.For more information or to arrange a behinds the scenes tour of the historic ball field, please visit Rickwood Field or visit the park for a self-guided tour M-F 9AM to 4PM.