Tag Archives: Birmingham Historical Society

Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Brock’s Gap, Railroads, Research, Shades Creek

BHS concerns considered for Planned Parkway that could destroy Historic Landmark

It’s rewarding when the efforts of Birmingham Historical Society trustees to preserve a first-class historical site are not only recognized, but seriously considered by city leaders and developers in urban planning. Thanks to the research and site visits of BHS Director Marjorie White, and BHS Trustee and Hoover resident Birgit Kilbeka, plans for a 4 mile parkway that could potentially destroy the landmark Brock’s Gap are now being debated. This article in The Hoover Sun by Jon Anderson highlights the importance of what is being proposed.

An earlier BHS post follows the mile long walk along the railbed. And this BHS article highlights the importance of Brock’s Gap to the City of Birmingham and why it needs to be preserved.

Thank you to Birmingham Historical Society Trustees for bringing historical sites to the attention of developers. And thank you to developers and city planners for listening and responding to these concerns!

Avondale, Churches

Coming Soon – Tour of Avondale Churches

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19

Historic Houses of Worship: Avondale
A Walking and Driving Tour
Led by David R. Bains, PhD
Sunday, April 5, 2020, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Several Avondale churches built in the 1880’s still remain and have been joined by others in this thriving residential community established in 1884. See the map below for the houses of worship included on the tour led by Samford University’s professor in the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies.

Birmingham Historical Society, Book Sale, Exhibition

Shop at Shoppe!

Searching for that perfect holiday gift? Many of our BHS titles are now available at the Shoppe in Forest Park. Enjoy browsing among the gorgeous flowers and gifts to find them.

Our newest publication, Pretty Posies, is surrounded by gardening tools, the best gift ever for the gardener on your list.

Need a stocking stuffer for a golfer? How about BHS publication, “Golf in Birmingham before 1925”, along with assorted pocket tools. And the popular Bob Moody’s Birmingham is stacked among what could be described as a watercolor still life display of history titles and orchids.

A big thank you to the owners for contributing to BHS as Heritage Society members in addition to showcasing their appreciation for the history of our community! Please drop by and support them!

What a TREAT to see many of our BHS titles displayed so beautifully at the SHOPPE in Forest Park. Many thanks to these Heritage Society members who have such an appreciation for the history of our community!
Book Sale

Flash Sale! Coming Soon!

FLASH SALE of Birmingham Historical Society titles; $10-$20 per book. Great gifts for holiday giving (or gifting to yourself). Titles range from Bob Moody’s Birmingham (watercolors) and Shades Creek-Flowing through Time; Tall Tales (of Birmingham) and Pretty Posies-Powerful Healing; Digging Out of the Great Depression, Art of the New South AND MANY MORE.

Details: Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Little Hardware, 2117 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook. Payment by check, cash, or credit card

Book Sale, Book Signing, Exhibition, Grandmothers Garden, Watercolors

Sunday, October 13, 3-5PM

Sunday, October 13, 3–5 p.m.—Garden Party, Publication Celebration, and Exhibit of watercolors from Pretty Posies, Healing Powers–An Herbal Primer by featured artists Sumter Coleman, Gail Cosby, Ellen Erdreich, Louise McPhillips, and Jane Reed Ross, all Birmingham residents. Grandmother’s Garden at Sloss Quarters, 10 North 32nd Street.

October 15–November 30—Watercolors from Pretty Posies, Healing Powers–An Herbal Primer. Birmingham Botanical Gardens Library Gallery. Here’s a preview!

Watercolor illustration of blackberry plant featuring white flowers and green leaves on the left, and ripe blackberries with leaves on the right.
Illustration of Chickweed (Gail Crosby_H01) with green stems and small white flowers, along with a close-up of the leaves.
Watercolor illustration of a dandelion plant with yellow flowers and its root system on the left.
A watercolor illustration of a Plantain plant with broad green leaves and slender stems on the left.
Left artwork depicts a violet plant with green leaves and purple flowers, illustrated in watercolors.
Left: Watercolor illustration of a violet plant with purple flowers and green leaves on a light yellow background.
An illustration featuring two herbal plants: oregano with pink flowers on the left, and parsley with green leaves on the right.
A watercolor illustration of a rosemary sprig with purple flowers on the left.
Thirty-four watercolors are included in the exhibit at Botanical Gardens Library and are available for sale at $300/each. Books are available for $20/each. Proceeds benefit the Botanical Gardens and the Birmingham Historical Society.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maria Antonia Viteri, a native of Mobile, has studied Western and Southern Appalachian herbal traditions in Alabama and California. Viteri, a Master Gardener, is also licensed in Architecture and Landscape Design. She currently resides in Sterrett, Alabama.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS

Birmingham Historical Society “Artists in the Garden,” all avid gardeners themselves, have been painting en plein air in Grandmother’s Garden for many years. For this volume, they sketched our herbs from specimens and photographs, coordinating their work at lunchtime gatherings at Gail Cosby’s home.

Sumter Coleman is a psychiatrist now retired to her mountain top residence where she writes and paints.

Writer, editor, publicist Gail Cosby now employs her talent as a watercolorist.

Artist and art historian Ellen Erdreich first sketched herbs as a teenager.

Louise McPhillips, an architect by profession, currently specializes in making portraits of her family.

Landscape architect Jane Reed Ross has left her mark on many Birmingham area park and greenway projects.