Permanently Preserving Hale Springs
Thanks to the efforts of conservation group Friends of Shades Mountain with support from the Birmingham Historical Society, Hale Springs is now part of the Bluff Park Preserve and is included in the City of Hoover’s Park Plan! This beautiful 18 acre property is the last open space on Shades Crest Mountain. However, it is…
Promoting Birmingham – in 1910!
Early inspiration for residential developments, parks, urban streetscapes, and innovation are captured in these fascinating promotional pieces by developer Robert Jemison, Jr. More than 200 period photographs and drawings are included in each of these entertaining histories of Birmingham’s growth. There was so much vision, much of which came to pass! “Build it and they…
Hand Down Unharmed
It’s ironic that the title of this Birmingham Historical Society book, Hand Down Unharmed, featured the important contribution of the first major donor to Birmingham Southern, M.P. Phillips. He believed so strongly in the legacy of Birmingham Southern that he gave his large lumber fortune to the college in a secret trust agreement, along with…
Birmingham Southern’s History
Photo: WVTM – NBC News The tradition of Birmingham Southern College spans over a remarkable 168 years, a legacy that will soon come to an end as the institution prepares to permanently close its doors on May 31st, 2024. Since its establishment in 1859, this esteemed private college has been a cornerstone of education, initially…
Are You in an Historic Polygon?
These areas highlighted in blue on the interactive map below on Birmingham’s Southside have all been designated historic districts by the Alabama Historical Commission. This can be of benefit to owners who want to own or renovate an historic building or home. The Alabama Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is a 25% refundable tax credit available…
The Story of UAB – A Talk and Book Signing
Please mark your calendars for this book signing and talk about the history of Birmingham’s largest employer and one of the nation’s largest transplant programs. Based on the book by Dr. Arnold Diethelm, cardiovasular surgeon Dr. William Holman will recount the leadership of visionary doctors at UAB medical center. About our speaker: Dr. Bill HolmanFollowing…
Gift Memberships, New Memberships
At the 82nd Annual Birmingham Historical Society meeting featuring a talk by Guest Speaker Dr. William Deutsch, President Wayne Hester reminded the audience of the importance of $50 gift memberships, particularly for interested young people. The non-profit society depends upon the generosity of donors and members to provide free events and support its mission and…
Fruity Wonders on Display!
The 82nd Annual Meeting of the Birmingham Historical Society featured an array of ‘Fruity Wonders’ cakes from participants as young as 14, as well as entries by four different members of the same family who love to bake. Yum! Thank you to all who participated. Winners in multiple categories were announced at the meeting. Always…
The State Fossil of Alabama
Did you know that Alabama has a state fossil? (Although it looks like a dinosaur to the untrained eye, it’s a whale/mammal and dinosaurs are reptiles.) It was famously immortalized in Herman Melville’s, “Moby Dick” in 1851. “But by far the most wonderful of all Cetacen relics was the almost complete vast skeleton of an…
Hoover’s Historic + Cultural Spaces
Here is a concrete example of how the Birmingham Historical Society contributes to the quality of life in Birmingham based on the goals listed below. Trustee Birgit Kibelka and Director Marjorie White worked with the City of Hoover planning team to include historic sites in their comprehensive Park & Public Spaces Plan 2023, bringing multiple…
Why is the “Little Villa” worth saving?
UPDATE! Design Review tables decision to demolish the “Little Villa” WBRC video with comments by BHS Director Marjorie White A little history about the “Little Villa” scheduled for demolition on Highland Avenue. The demolition request comes before Birmingham City Council on February 28th. Please also see the petition and @BhamNow article.
500 Million Years of Alabama History at our 82nd Annual Meeting
Please join us on Monday, February 26 at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Birmingham Historical Society. President Wayne Hester will preside. Recorded history is said to have begun with the drafting of the Sumerian cuneiform tablets, approximately 5,000 years ago. Beginning in the 19th century, the study of fossils has evolved…
Premier APT Screening at Carver Theater
You’re invited to join BHS Trustee, Barbara Shores, on February 8th at 7:00PM as Alabama Public Television shares the story of her father, Arthur Shores, who served an instrumental part in Birmingham’s civil rights history. The premier screening will be one of the first events at the newly renovated historic Carver Theater, which also houses…
Fruity Wonders Cake Contest
The annual Birmingham Historical Society meeting next year will be February 26th, 2024, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. As always, it will include a popular cake contest (and tasting!) after the featured speaker. Judges select multiple winners with 2024 categories listed below. Memorable family recipes are always a big hit with the judges! The meeting is FREE…
Petition for Historic Highland Park home
This historic home in Highland Park on Highland Avenue near Rojo is scheduled to soon be demolished to make way for more apartments. A public hearing on the issue has been postponed until January 10. Please help show your support for saving this historic home by signing this petition. Please read and sign this petition if…
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