Category Archives: Publications

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.

Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Book Sale, Publications, Research, Trustees

Behind the Scenes of Birmingham’s Industry

Did you know that the aggregate mass–stone, slag, gravel, and sand–of our highway system (in 1961) was the ‘equivalent of constructing 23 great pyramids each calendar week?’ – B.A. Monaghan, President Vulcan Materials Company

Or that a woman was instrumental in organizing the American Cast Iron Pipe Company in 1905?

Or that Thomas Martin, as President of Alabama Power, was also responsible for building Southern Research Institute, and organizing the Alabama State Chamber of Commerce? And that the first electric plant in Birmingham was at Elyton Land Company in 1886?

Or that Birmingham’s greatest development began with the purchase of Birmingham’s Pratt Coal & Iron in December of 1886 by Tennessee Coal & Railroad Company? And that the sale included 76,000 acres of coal lands, and about 13,000 acres of land including 7 ½ miles on Red Mountain’s iron ore seam?

Cover page of the Birmingham Historical Society's publication titled 'Building Birmingham's Industrial Base: Newcomen Monographs' featuring names of the authors Robert Gregg, Thomas W. Martin, B.A. Monaghan, and William David Moore, along with the publication year 2025.
A biography of William David Moore, detailing his birth date, education, and career as an engineer and leader in the pipe industry, along with his contributions to various professional societies.
Cover of 'Origin and Development of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company' by Robert Gregg featuring an old building and a group of men in formal attire.
Explore the history of one of America’s most influential companies with Robert Gregg’s illuminating study of the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company. Gregg delves into the origins of the company, tracing its growth and development throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. With insightful analysis and detailed research, this book is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in American business history.
Illustration of Bernard A. Monaghan, a notable businessman and former CEO of Vulcan Materials Company, featured in the Alabama Business Hall of Fame.
Portrait of Thomas Wesley Martin, founder of Russell Manufacturing Company and civic leader, in a formal suit, smiling at the camera.

These fascinating stories and much more are from Birmingham Historical Society’s 2025 publication entitled Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base: Newcomen Monographs. It features the words of four Birmingham leaders of industry: Robert Gregg, William David Moore, Thomas W. Martin, and B.A. Monaghan as they tell the ‘back stories’ of Birmingham’s industrial giants.

With much thanks to Birmingham Historical Society Trustee, John C. (Jay) Draper IV, who shared his collection of the Newcomen Society of America’s (Alabama Chapter) annual volumes for reprint.

What is the Newcomen Society? It was founded in 1920 in England centering around the study and promotion of the history of engineering and technology. The American Society was founded in 1923 focusing on American business leadership and industrial progress. The American Society closed in 2007 after publishing over 1600 monographs now preserved in Philadelphia’s National Musueum of Industrial History.

Purchase Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base: Newcomen Monographs HERE

For more information about the book, please click HERE

Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Parks & Recreation, Publications, University of Alabama

Bartram’s Travels – 250 Years Ago

Brian Rushing, enthusiastic naturalist and Director of Economic Initiatives at University of Alabama, will dress up as 18th century environmentalist William Bartram as he shares the highlights of Bartram’s journey through the South in 1775. His talk on Sunday, November 16th, 2 PM, will be followed by a reception at Birmingham Historical Society.

Bartram’s journal entries over 250 years ago about Alabama are filled with enthusiastic praise for its beautiful topography, vibrant plants, diverse animals, and the rich cultures of its indigenous people. He marvels at its ‘majestic rivers’ and ‘delightful regions’ . Rushing shares Bartram’s fervor for Alabama’s natural wonders and is eager to share this passion in his talk on Sunday. Please plan to attend.

Members may also pick up 2025 publication – Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base.

A man dressed in historical attire sits in front of a table with various artifacts, books, and documents, under a tent in a forested area, depicting the historical figure William Bartram at Fort Toulouse.
Invitation to a talk and reception by the Birmingham Historical Society commemorating the 250th anniversary of William Bartram's Travels, featuring Brian Rushing.
An illustration of a Great Yellow Bream fish, labeled as Old Wife, alongside details about an event titled 'Bartram's Travels: Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base'.
A Guide to Architectural Styles, Architecture, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, BOOK, Book Sale, lecture, Meetings, Neighborhoods, Publications

Residential Architecture Symposium

The Birmingham chapter of the American Institute of Architects is holding its first ever Residential Architecture Symposium.  The goal?  To give curious homeowners an opportunity to learn more about how the design of where they live can have a significant impact on how they live.   A summary of the event follows.

Keynote: “The Art & Science of Place Planning”

  • Speaker: Ryan Frederick, bestselling author (Right Place, Right Time) and Stanford Center on Longevity advisor.  Ryan is a friend and an engaging, informative and thoughtful speaker.   More about him and his work can be found here .  And his book is included in the ticket price!
  • Big Idea: We spend more time planning vacations than planning where we’ll live at different life stages.   We need a plan for the important life transitions too. 
  • What You’ll Learn: How your home and neighborhood directly impact your health, happiness, and longevity
  • Takeaway: Practical tools for making housing decisions that support your life goals—whether you’re renovating, relocating, or aging in place.

Purchase the Book that Inspired the Movement

The right place elevates personal well-being. It can help promote purpose, facilitate human connection, catalyze physical activity, support financial health, and inspire community engagement. 

Conversely, the wrong place can be detrimental to health. In Right Place, Right Time, Ryan Frederick argues that where you live matters enormously—especially during the second half of your life.

Panel: “Why Residential Architects Matter”

  • Real Stories: Local architects share how they’ve helped families solve complex design challenges
  • Behind the Scenes: Learn how architects guide homeowners through big and small construction decisions
  • Your Future Projects: Discover how architects create homes that are beautiful, sustainable, and designed to work for every life stage

Why This Matters to You:

  • Perfect for anyone thinking about home improvements, life transitions, or helping aging parents
  • Opportunity to learn from experts in the field – whether that’s thinking about aging in place or designing a new addition for your family.
  • Rare chance to network with residential architects and vendors who can answer questions about how they work to design custom homes.

Details:

Ticket Link Here  – Ticket price includes Ryan’s book!  Bring a friend—these conversations are better shared!

Tuesday, September 16th, noon to 3pm.  

BIrmingham Botanical Gardens, Doors open to the public at noon.

See also Birmingham Historical Society’s A Guide to Architectural Styles

Birmingham Historical Society, Healthcare, Historic Preservation, Publications, Research, Trustees, UAB

Dr. Julius E. Linn Jr. 1941 – 2025

Image

The following is a heartfelt remembrance from Birmingham Historical Society Director, Marjorie White, about Dr. Linn’s numerous contributions during his career as well as his importance to the society ~ quietly serving while editing over 20 annual publications, over 100 newsletters, and numerous event invitations. Above is a picture of Dr. Linn with editor and BHS Trustee, Katie Tipton.

Physician, scholar, historian, editor, gentleman. Our wise and kind Trustee and friend, Julius E. Linn Jr. was all of these. 

My acquaintance with Julius began in 2003. Ehney and Pat Camp and I called upon him in his home on Thornhill Road to discuss an idea for a book. (Julius lived in the home his parents built c.1927 surrounded by family furnishings, books, and art lovingly handed down over the generations. )

Over the next 22 years, I relished walking in Julius’s living archive and being wrapped in its–and his–warm embrace. Julius not only gave us the funds to publish our book but also introduced us to the legacy of his favorite aunt, Carrie Hill (1875-1957), who exhibited nationally and internationally in the 1920s and 1930s and worked tirelessly to support the arts in our city.

Julius had gone on plein air “painting picnics” with her as a child.  Nearly all of Hill’s paintings were held  by family members at this time; her oeuvre was all but forgotten. Publishing  Art of the New South: Women Artists of Birmingham in 2004 became the first step of many steps in Julius’ quest to memorialize Hill’s legacy.

When in 2006 Graham Boettcher came to Birmingham as the curator of American Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art, we invited him to lunch and shared stories of our “great” local painters. Boettcher’s initial skepticism receded as he learned more, and he too came to join Julius and champion Carrie Hill’s legacy.

Three individuals gathered at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for an Annual Meeting, standing beside a painting. The group includes UAB art historian Dr. Heather McPherson, collector Dr. Julius Linn Jr., and Marjorie White, discussing the impact of early 20th century Birmingham women artists.

In the early 2000s, Julius was a passionate patron and supporter of the Birmingham Museum of Art and of the Birmingham Opera, but soon his professional talent as Director of Medical Publications at UAB led him to serve as a wise and sensible editor of Birmingham Historical Society publications. He became a patron, trustee, and officer of the Society as a member of its Executive Committee. He refused to accept the  presidency of the Society; he wanted to serve quietly.

At the end of each year,  following the publication of our annual book, he would say, “I guess I will stay tuned”… red pen in hand…for the more than 20 of our annual publications,100 newsletters, and many more invitations to events. Julius’ finely tuned sensibility to design issues and his eagle’s eye for things that needed fixing were invaluable. His comments, corrections, and suggestions were proffered in the most gentlemanly fashion.

Our favorite outing with Julius was a trip to Auburn to petition the head of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) to permit their fragile Depression-era murals on the History of Alabama Agriculture to travel to Birmingham for an exhibit. As always, Julius made us look credible. ACES not only loaned the murals, but later  restored them, and transferred them to the Auburn museum for long term conservation. Julius had indeed made us look credible.

Julius helped Katie Tipton and me work out the concept and format for Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City (coming Winter 2026). He told me how to organize the UAB chapter and thankfully approved of the resulting  text and layout. He read and edited the first draft of the book and this summer was serving as a final reader. Ten days ago, he returned his page proofs of a major chapter with this hand-written note: 

A man wearing sunglasses and a red polo shirt, smiling while resting with a hand on his face in a green, leafy setting.
A group photo featuring three individuals standing together in a warmly decorated room, with a large piece of art displayed on the wall behind them.
Dr. Linn and Katie Tipton seated at an outdoor table surrounded by trees, enjoying a sunny day.
A man wearing a formal suit and oxygen tubing, standing next to a woman dressed in a patterned black dress, both smiling at an event with a festive atmosphere in a well-decorated venue.
A group of four people enjoying a meal outdoors, surrounded by greenery. One woman is standing, smiling, while three men are seated at the table, engaged in conversation. The scene conveys a friendly and sociable atmosphere.
A man standing in front of a large, dark wooden house, surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery.

“Marjorie, Wonderful, descriptive book of Birmingham’s development, the central areas & more. It should become a classic for newcomers, for businesses, for recruitment of companies & workers. It is well organized with beautiful photography and more. Congratulations to everyone who worked on and organized this project. ” – Julius E. Linn

I hope Julius knew how much we valued his counsel and his friendship.

– Marjorie White, BHS Director

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 15, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Birmingham (downtown)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Opera Birmingham, the Birmingham Historical Society Publication Fund, the Birmingham Museum of Art, or First United Methodist Church of Birmingham.

Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, Cake & Pie Contest, Cake Contest, Meetings, Membership, Parks & Recreation, Publications, Rickwood Field

The 83rd Annual Meeting Featuring America’s Oldest Ball Field – Rickwood

ALL ARE WELCOME at the 83rd Annual Meeting of the Birmingham Historical Society at 7PM on Monday, February 24th at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

The meeting will feature guest speaker, Gerald Watkins, Director of the Friends of Rickwood, and a lifetime baseball enthusiast! His talk, Rickwood: Then & Now, will tell the story of America’s oldest grandstand and ballpark. The Friends’ fundraising campaign, spearheaded by Terry Slaughter, Tom Cosby, and Coke Mathews, enabled the park to be restored, expanded, and subsequently brought Alabama’s first Major League Baseball game to Birmingham. Books about Rickwood will be available for sale, and chocolate cake entries from the annual cake contest will be judged and available after the meeting for sampling!

Baseball fans, society supporters and members, and Alabama historians, don’t miss this meeting!

A Guide to Architectural Styles, Altamont, Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Exhibition, Highland Avenue, Neighborhoods, Publications, The Altamont

Thanks for coming!

Lots of interest in our Highland Park neighborhood, at an event in which Birmingham Historical Society displayed photographs of nearly all the original homes constructed along Highland Avenue (many courtesy of historian and neighbor Randy Merritt). Our Open House included not only our extensive exhibit, but also tours of the offices of our new neighbor, Alabama Audubon, The Greenbriar lobby in the historic Altamont building, and the front porches of several neighboring historic homes. The tour ended with music at Rojo.

Photos by Katie Tipton

Note that the BHS book, A Guide to Architectural Styles, provides context and recognition tips as to the style of many of the homes in Southside. And our latest book, a reprint of the 1962 book published by The Birmingham News, It’s Nice to Live in Birmingham, is now available for $20 via link above and will not be sold on Amazon.

Thank you to all who attended and we hope to see you again soon!

Photos by Louise McPhillips