Fiddlin’, Freeman, and Bug Tussle, Alabama
This promises to be a lively afternoon as Alabama historian and folklorist Joyce Cauthen brings the story of her favorite fiddler, Tom Freeman, to Birmingham Historical Society on Sunday, October 4th, from 3–5 p.m. This charming, self-educated fiddler used his talent to evade law enforcement, to sell moonshine, and to play for community gatherings and…
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From Comic Pages to ‘True Tales’: Birmingham’s Early Pioneers
In the days before digital news, the comic pages were a favorite fixture of the newspaper by kids and adults alike. The Birmingham Historical Society used its popularity to promote early leaders of the city in quick profiles published every Saturday from February 1991 to April 1992. The series, entitled True Tales, highlighted the accomplishments…
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Birmingham’s Legacy of Historic Churches
Birmingham has a rich history in churches and Birmingham by the Book highlights the historical significance of many of them. Over 50 churches active in the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement from 1956-1963 are listed on page 9 the guide, and three are within the Civil Rights District. In 1972, city directories listed 608 churches and…
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Map Your Visit to the Magic City
Use this guide and the map below to plan your visit to Birmingham. Each location includes the matching page number from Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City, so you can easily read more about it. Using the map: Tap or click the white menu icon in the upper-left corner of the…
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Did you know Birmingham had a Red Light District?
The City of Birmingham sanctioned a red light district which operated from 1905 to 1915 along 1st Avenue South, east of 20th Street. (Birmingham by the Book, pg 58) Madame Blanche Bernard offered free carriage rides from her ‘house of ill repute’ to guests’ hotels. She was among several proprietors who ran ‘classy sporting houses’.…
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WOW! The Sky over Sloss Furnaces
Birmingham, also known as The Magic City, was nicknamed for its amazingly fast growth fueled by iron ore, limestone, and coal. Sloss Furnaces was America’s largest producer of iron in the 1920s. Now a National Historic Landmark, it defines Birmingham’s skyline with its towering blast furnaces which quit operating in 1971. The open air museum…
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It’s nice to have you in Birmingham!
It’s nice to have you in Birmingham! But want to learn more about it? This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you ever wanted to know! Available on Amazon by clicking image below. #birminghambythebook #birminghamhistoricalsociety
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What is Birmingham’s Heritage Society?
Members of Birmingham’s Heritage Society receive all the benefits of membership in addition to an invitation to an annual gathering in one of Birmingham’s finest historic homes. It’s Birmingham Historical Society’s most popular event, and also its biggest fundraiser of the year. Spoiler alert! There are two featured homes in Forest Park this month. Interested?…
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Love Birmingham? Become Part of Its Story
For more than 80 years, the Birmingham Historical Society has explored, documented, and shared the stories of our city—its people, neighborhoods, architecture, landscapes, and remarkable history. We invite you to join us. Your membership helps support the Society’s research, publications, educational programs, and special events while connecting you with others who share an interest in…
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Building Mountain Brook: Shades Creek, Mt. Vernon Replica, and The Old Mill
Warren Manning and Jemison & Co. designed and developed Mountain Brook Estates from 1926 – 1929. (pgs. 114-115 of Birmingham by the Book) The main avenue in the newly developed Mountain Brook Estates was Mountain Brook Parkway, which parallels Jemison Park, designed as a linear parkway in the floodplain of Shades Creek. The Tutwiler-McDonald Estate…
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Historically Significant Architecture of Birmingham
The oldest homes in Birmingham tell the story of prosperous early industrialists and real estate developers, the struggles of the working classes, architectural trends, and the civil rights era. Other significant early neighborhoods included : See more neighborhood history as well as over the mountain areas, all divided by region in Birmingham by the Book.…
Woodlawn’s Origins: From Rockville to Railway Boomtown
The Birmingham suburb known as Woodlawn was settled around 1815, when a street currently called Georgia Road, was still part of Mississippi territory. The town of Rockville was formed in 1832 and in 1838 pioneer Obadiah Wood acquired 400 acres on Georgia Road. Three generations of the Wood family would continue to support growth of…
Southern Museum of Flight: Plan a Birmingham Aviation Adventure
A favorite family activity at the Southern Museum of Flight is exploring a real aircraft that kids can climb into while discovering the history of aviation. The museum features more than 100 historic aircraft, along with interactive simulators and guided educational tours. It is one of the South’s largest aviation museums and is also home…
Exploring Birmingham’s Jazz Roots and Grand Historic Theaters
Birmingham has a number of historic museums, theaters, and cultural venues to explore that are listed on page 10-11 of Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City. An excellent starting point is a visit to one of Birmingham’s three historic theaters. Tuxedo Junction is a famous historic jazz intersection and neighborhood in…
Porch Crawl in Historic Highland Park
Birmingham Historical Society is excited to participate in the 2nd annual Porch Crawl in Highland Park, Sunday, October 18th, 3-5 PM! It’s FREE and open to the public, rain or shine, but hoping for beautiful October weather. It was very well attended last year! Take a look in the video below! And then read more…
I can see for miles and miles…from Ruffner Mountain
Over 1,000 acres just minutes from downtown Birmingham (and covering an area larger than Central Park) is the reclaimed mining land of Ruffner Mountain. Mining operations began on the mountain under the Sloss Iron and Steel Company to supply iron ore to nearby Sloss Furnaces from the late 1880s until operations finally closed on June 1, 1953. It’s…
Birmingham by the Book: A Rich, Comprehensive Magic City Guide
From neighborhood histories and iconic venues to landmark sites, this guide traces Birmingham’s story from its beginnings before the Civil War to the city’s most memorable places and landscapes today. Drawing on 50 years of research, it offers a rich, comprehensive portrait of our Magic City—with something to captivate every reader. Now available on Amazon!…
Labor Day Barbeque at the Historic Golden Rule
One of the oldest barbecue joints in the USA still in operation is the Golden Rule in Irondale. Established in 1891 by the Williams family, it’s operated under multiple owners since then. But over 130 years, it’s expanded not only its menu, but its presence throughout Alabama and the South. Nationwide shipping attests to the…
150 Sites to See in Birmingham: From Motorsports to History
New to Birmingham – or just visiting? Our Birmingham by the Book guide is an excellent source of activities for history buffs. But it also includes venues for those interested in architecture, sports, civil rights, iron ore, railroads, food, parks, or even motorcycles! Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum contains the world’s foremost collection of restored motorcycles,…
Take Me Out to the Ball Game! 🎶
Rickwood Field, the nation’s oldest ball park opened in the West End community of Birmingham in 1910. The popularity of baseball was such at that time that the entire city of Birmingham closed up shop for the day in anticipation of its opening. It is also revered as the oldest remaining park that was home…
Bierstadt in Birmingham!
This massive painting by Albert Bierstadt, entitled Looking Down Yosemite Valley measures over 5 feet tall and 8 feet wide and is a local favorite at The Birmingham Museum of Art. A gift of the Birmingham Public Library, Bierstadt completed the oil in 1865 as a hopeful vision reuniting the country after the Civil War,…
Mineral Riches and Historic Mines in Birmingham
Birmingham emerged as the industrial capital of The South by 1900, and its growth was so fast, it was nicknamed The Magic City. For those curious about Birmingham’s resources, mines, and mineral lands, there are lots of sites to see (see pg. 11 of Birmingham by the Book for a list of 15 )! The…
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