Birmingham
Historical
Society

Celebrating
Birmingham’s History
through Research,
Publishing,
& Education

Established in 1942, the Birmingham Historical Society contributes to the quality of life in Birmingham, Alabama by preserving, learning from, and celebrating its past while helping to shape its future. It celebrates Birmingham history through research, publishing, and education. And it educates and engages the public in order to make our shared history and heritage more visible, identify its value, and empower its stewards.

The society is a nonprofit organization that relies on the generous donations of its members, friends, and supporters. In addition to what’s available here, there is a great deal of information available to its members through our annual seminars, tours, book signings, publications and newsletters. Please consider joining us and learning more about Birmingham’s rich heritage.

What We Do

We research and interpret the history of Birmingham and its surroundings * We provide strong heritage education programs for children and adults * We initiate and support the preservation of our historic landmarks, districts and neighborhoods * We help shape our city’s development * And we develop the society as an institution that can be sustained

Events & News

Publications

Newsletters

Annual Reports

BUY IT HERE on AMAZON! Or support your local vendors, Shoppe in Forest Park, Thank You Books in Crestwood, AND the Birmingham Museum of Art Gift Shop.

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BUILDING BIRMINGHAM'S INDUSTRIAL BASE - 2025 Publication available NOW

This collection of monographs tells the story of the rise of the economic engine that powered Birmingham for its first one hundred years.

Reflecting on their long experience at their respective companies, these four men present succinct and highly readable histories. Birmingham antiquarian and collector John C. (Jay) Draper IV, a Newcomen member who acquired the print booklets of the annual addresses, is pleased to share them in this reprinting that is ‘set up, printed and bound’ in Birmingham, Alabama by their original publisher, Birmingham Publishing Company. This $30.00 publication is not available on Amazon. Please contact BHS to purchase or fill out this online form

Explore Ways to Celebrate Below!

COUNTDOWN TO JULY 4th, 2026July 4, 2026

115 days to go.

List of American-themed children's books
Read about Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Pre-order an America250Alabama license plate
Read about the featured Patriot of the Month
Check out the Book of the Month
Listen to a featured podcast
Make a featured recipe from Martha Washington
Follow America250AL for list of events
Honor our Veterans by visiting a museum

Upcoming Events

2026 Events

January 1, Membership Renewal for 2026.
January 19, 2 pm, Preview Showing of Tuxedo Junction, Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th Street South.
January 31, 1:30-4:30 pm, Book Sale, Salamander Festival, Gymnasium, Homewood High School.
February 7, 11:00 am-3:00 pm, Book Sale, Black Heritage Fair, Birmingham African American Genealogy Group, Inc., Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place.
February 23, 7 pm, BIRMINGHAM by the BOOK, Annual Meeting, Auditorium, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Our speakers: Tom Cosby and Stewart Dansby, Know Your City Quiz, Autograph Party, and cake tasting.
February 23, Cake with a Past Competition, entries due by 4 pm, Auditorium, BBG
September 27, 4 pm, Heritage Society Gathering, a progressive party ending at the T. Felton Wimberly House, Forest Park, by invitation.
October 18, 3-5 pm, It’s Nice to Have you in Highland Park, Open Houses and Porch Crawl throughout the neighborhood.

Trustees

February 23, Trustee Supper, 5:30, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
March 10, Noon, Trustees Meeting, 2827 Highland Avenue
May 12, Noon, Trustees Meeting, 2827 Highland Avenue
September 15, Noon, Trustees Meeting, 2827 Highland Avenue
December 8, Noon, Trustees Meeting, 2827 Highland Avenue

Executive Committee

January 13, Noon
February 10, 2827 Highland Avenue
April 14, 2827 Highland Avenue
June 9, 2827 Highland Avenue
July 14, 2827 Highland Avenue
August 11, 2827 Highland Avenue
October 13, 2827 Highland Avenue
November 10, 2827 Highland Avenue

2025 Events

January 25, 1:30-4:30 pm , Book Sale, Salamander Festival, Gymnasium, Homewood High School.
February 1,11:00 am-3:00 pm, Book Sale, Black Heritage Fair, Birmingham African American Genealogy Group, Inc., Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place.
February 24, 7 pm, Revival at Rickwood, Annual Meeting, Auditorium, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Our speaker : Gerald Watkins, Director Friends of Rickwood.
February 24, Family Favorite Chocolate Cake Competition, entries due by 4 pm, Auditorium, BBG
April 13, 5 pm, Heritage Society Gathering, Historic Herbert Stockham House, Redmont, by invitation.
October 19, 3-5 p.m., It’s Nice to Have You in Highland Park, at 2827 Highland AvenueNovember 16, 2 p.m., A Traveler’s Tales: William Bartram’s 1775 Journey…through the Southern British Colonies and the future state of Alabama, as told by Brian Rushing, naturalist and Bartram admirer, at 2827 Highland Avenue AND:Celebrating the release of Building Birmingham’s Industrial Base, our 2025 Members Book, at 2827 Highland AvenueJanuary 18th, 2 p.m., Tuxedo Junction documentary at the Virginia Samford Theater.February 23, 5: 30 p.m., BHS Trustees Supper and Annual Meeting, celebrating the release of Birmingham By the BookMarch 15 or 22, 2 p.m. 1776, at the Virginia Samford Theater.