Tag Archives: Alabama Historical Commission

Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, City of Birmingham, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Neighborhoods, Publications, Research, Southside

What’s the National Register?

Ever thought about what historic organizations do and how they do it? What’s the organizational hierarchy?

  1. Federal Agencies
  2. Non Profit Organizations
  3. State Organizations
  4. Local Historical Organizations

Curious to learn more about a historic property? Living in a historic district, maybe? Let’s start with the National Register and answer those questions!

Federal Agencies & Non Profits

The National Register is a federal agency1 supported by tax dollars that promotes the restoration of significant historic properties. It maintains the official list of historic places in the United States worthy of preservation and is managed by the National Park Service.

It is NOT related to the National Trust for Historic Preservation which is a non-profit organization2 privately supported by their membership which advocates for historic properties. However, they do not manage nor approve register listings.

State

Properties included on the National Register must first be nominated or approved by state organizations3 and are subject to state laws, which in Alabama is the Alabama Historical Commission. Generally, nominated properties are at least 50 years old unless they are exceptionally important.

Local Historical Organizations

Birmingham Historical Society is among the local historical organizations4 which take great pride in their cities, researching their surroundings to educate and make recommendations about significant historic properties and people. It is often involved in the nomination process of historic properties and districts. Available publications document their research since their start in 1942.

In November of 2022, Birmingham Historical Society moved to the Southside area in the Highland Avenue Historic District near the Rhodes Park, Chestnut Hill, Country Club, Milner Heights, and Hanover Place Historic Districts.

Since that time, we’ve enjoyed exploring our new home in more depth. Our Highland Avenue neighbor, Randy Merritt, has been documenting the remaining historic homes on Highland Avenue as well as collecting archival photos of those that have been demolished.

The assortment tells the story of Birmingham’s pioneering residents whose strong belief propelled the city’s growth. It’s a tale of architectural innovation, economic power, social norms, financial successes, and the complex local politics of that time.

So, whether intrigued by the people, the location, the event, or by the lessons learned, history at all levels creates a compelling story worth preserving and telling. Grateful for the organizations that continue to tell those stories! One can’t help but appreciate the efforts of all of the organizations dedicated to upholding and conveying this history.

Below shows some of the process in registering the Highland Avenue Historic District. The Birmingham Historical Society offices are on the ground floor retail space in what was originally the Altamont Apartment Building on lot #4 on diagram below.

Birmingham Landmarks, family history, Historic Preservation, Oak Hill Cemetery

Memorial Day and The Tradition of Graveside Flowers

As we remember the courageous veterans who served our country, graveside flowers have become one important token of our respect and gratitude. Beginning on May 30, 1868, the first flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Soon, Memorial Day also became known as Decoration Day as Americans began the tradition of gathering every May to tend to the grave sites and honor those who died serving the country during the Civil War.

A veteran in a yellow jacket kneels at a grave adorned with flowers and an American flag, paying tribute to the deceased during a memorial event.

After World War I, the tradition evolved to commemorate ALL those who died in wars. Poppies in particular became a symbol of respect, gratitude, and remembrance, with the vibrant red color representing the blood that was shed.

If you grew up in the South, or have family members buried in the South, you may have attended Decoration Day. May has become a month for not only commemorating our veterans and their families, but also for remembering our own family members who have died. By gathering and placing flowers at grave sites, telling stories, and making photographs, memories are preserved in order to be passed on to the youngest family members.

Two individuals tending to graves in a cemetery, placing flowers around headstones under a green canopy of trees.

The safekeeping of many of these older cemeteries has become increasingly important as landscape development converts old farms and homesteads. The Alabama Historical Commission encourages documentation of these sites, and has created the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register, the only official listing of historic cemeteries. Many of these cemeteries have no official owners or caretakers. So it has become the responsibility of family members and volunteers to record and maintain these sacred places.

View of a cemetery with headstones in the foreground and a city skyline in the background, showcasing the contrast between the historic site and urban landscape.

Today is a day of Remembrance, of those who served, and of those we’ve loved. Let’s not forget them.

Birmingham Historical Society, City of Birmingham, Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month

What’s Coming in May?

May is Historic Preservation Month, and Birmingham has a lot of events planned throughout the month to celebrate! Mark your calendars NOW so you won’t miss a thing!

  • Join a Walking Tour of Collegeville: Ground Zero for Civil Rights-Saturday, May 10th at 10:00AM
  • Meet at the Four Spirits Statue, Kelly Ingram Park to honor nonviolent protestors-Friday, May 23, at noon
  • Attend a talk on Birmingham’s Historic Preservation Program-Thursday, May 1st, at noon in City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, City Hall
  • Attend a talk on Best Practices for preservation projects by Chloe Mercer, Federal Tax Credits and Alabama AdValorem Coordinator, Alabama Historical Commission-Tuesday, May 6th, at noon
  • Attend a talk on neighborhood preservation by Paula Stanton of Titusville Historical Marker Committee and Walladean Streeter of Bush Hills Neighborhood Association at Sloss Furnaces Visitor Center-Tuesday, May 13th, at noon
  • Making Iron at Sloss Furnace-Thursday, May 22nd at noon
  • Learn about Birmingham’s Modern Architecture by Dr. Caroline Swope, Historic Preservation Specialist, City of Decatur at Sloss Furnaces Visitor Center-Tuesday, May 20th, at noon
  • When is a property considered ‘historic’ and what this means for the seller and buyer by Birmingham Association of Realtors at 3501 Independence Drive, Homewood-Tuesday, May 27th, at noon
  • What are historic easements and what are the pros and cons by David Fleming, President and CEO of REV Birmingham at Sloss Furnaces Visitor Center-Thursday, May 29th, at noon

More DETAILS here! Printable Calendar below

Alabama Historical Commission, Historic Preservation

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 for private homeowners and owners of commercial properties who substantially rehabilitate historic properties that are listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and are 60 years old or older.

This may also entitle you to lower advalorem taxes. For more information, see the tax incentives available from the Alabama Historical Commission. Please click on the interactive map below to see other areas eligible for tax credits.