Tag Archives: Birmingham Museum of Art

Annual Gathering, Annual meeting, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, Cake Contest, Food History, Publications

Photo Highlights from the Annual Meeting

First the PROGRAM! Birmingham boosters Stewart Dansby and Tom Cosby had the audience enthusiastically participating in a “Birmingham IQ” quiz highlighting the many superlatives that make Birmingham a great place to live. Did you know…? WOW! The audience was impressed by stats and amenities that are often overlooked by Birmingham natives.

Birmingham Historical Society President Wayne Hester begins the annual meeting as the audience reviews multiple choice answers to the “Birmingham IQ” quiz by Tom Cosby and Stewart Dansby.

Stewart Dansby and Tom Cosby created a list of multiple choice answers to test Birmingham’s knowledge of their city.

Group of five individuals posing for a photo at an event, with one person holding a tote bag that says 'Monet to Matisse'.
Pictured left to right: Stewart Dansby, Maury Shevin, Jennifer Chandler (Vulcan Park & Museum), Graham Boettcher (Birmingham Museum of Art), and Tom Cosby. Maury Shevin was the winner of the Birmingham IQ test. Jennifer and Graham donated prizes along with prizes from Lyric Theater, Rickwood Field, and Birmingham Historical Society.

Next the BOOK!

Birmingham Historical Society members all received a copy of Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City, a definitive guide of over 50 years of research by Marjorie White about her adopted city. Tasked with directing the organization as a newcomer, one of her first goals was to create a guide and many years and over 70 publications later, this is the not-to-be-missed result. A book signing by Marjorie White followed the meeting.

Available locally at Thank You Books, Shoppe, Birmingham Museum of Art, and at Birmingham Historical Society.

After the quiz, Birmingham Historical Society VP, Rick Sprague, reported on the progress of the society since a survey produced a strategic plan that was published in 2020. He noted that ALL goals have been achieved and in some cases surpassed!


Followed by the CAKES! In recognition of the guide book’s history, all of the cakes entered used recipes that were over 50 years old with some interesting stories to accompany them.

A round, frosted cake with a smooth white icing and small red flecks, placed on a decorative glass cake stand.

And finally many thanks to the JUDGES! Three members of Les Dames d’Escoffier Birmingham agreed to judge the cakes. Christiana Roussel, Sonthe Burge, and Charbett Cauthen. We were delighted to have their expertise and share in their enthusiasm for all things culinary!

Three women smiling together at a table with desserts, including cakes and a potted plant, at an event.
Two women engage in conversation at a table filled with various desserts and snacks during an event, with a large cake prominently displayed.
A decorated table featuring several cakes and desserts, with greenery accents and decorative place settings. Three women are engaged in conversation nearby.
A pecan meringue torte displayed on a glass plate, partially sliced to reveal its interior layers. The dessert is on a yellow serving platter alongside a knife and a rolled cloth napkin. A yellow award ribbon reads 'Best Visual Presentation.'
Judges left to right: Christiana Roussel, Sonthe Burge, and Charbett Cauthen. BHS Trustee and cake contest organizer, Carolanne Roberts, chats with Christiana.

Thank you to all who participated and especially to all who attended!

Birmingham Historical Society, Healthcare, Historic Preservation, Publications, Research, Trustees, UAB

Dr. Julius E. Linn Jr. 1941 – 2025

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The following is a heartfelt remembrance from Birmingham Historical Society Director, Marjorie White, about Dr. Linn’s numerous contributions during his career as well as his importance to the society ~ quietly serving while editing over 20 annual publications, over 100 newsletters, and numerous event invitations. Above is a picture of Dr. Linn with editor and BHS Trustee, Katie Tipton.

Physician, scholar, historian, editor, gentleman. Our wise and kind Trustee and friend, Julius E. Linn Jr. was all of these. 

My acquaintance with Julius began in 2003. Ehney and Pat Camp and I called upon him in his home on Thornhill Road to discuss an idea for a book. (Julius lived in the home his parents built c.1927 surrounded by family furnishings, books, and art lovingly handed down over the generations. )

Over the next 22 years, I relished walking in Julius’s living archive and being wrapped in its–and his–warm embrace. Julius not only gave us the funds to publish our book but also introduced us to the legacy of his favorite aunt, Carrie Hill (1875-1957), who exhibited nationally and internationally in the 1920s and 1930s and worked tirelessly to support the arts in our city.

Julius had gone on plein air “painting picnics” with her as a child.  Nearly all of Hill’s paintings were held  by family members at this time; her oeuvre was all but forgotten. Publishing  Art of the New South: Women Artists of Birmingham in 2004 became the first step of many steps in Julius’ quest to memorialize Hill’s legacy.

When in 2006 Graham Boettcher came to Birmingham as the curator of American Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art, we invited him to lunch and shared stories of our “great” local painters. Boettcher’s initial skepticism receded as he learned more, and he too came to join Julius and champion Carrie Hill’s legacy.

Three individuals gathered at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for an Annual Meeting, standing beside a painting. The group includes UAB art historian Dr. Heather McPherson, collector Dr. Julius Linn Jr., and Marjorie White, discussing the impact of early 20th century Birmingham women artists.

In the early 2000s, Julius was a passionate patron and supporter of the Birmingham Museum of Art and of the Birmingham Opera, but soon his professional talent as Director of Medical Publications at UAB led him to serve as a wise and sensible editor of Birmingham Historical Society publications. He became a patron, trustee, and officer of the Society as a member of its Executive Committee. He refused to accept the  presidency of the Society; he wanted to serve quietly.

At the end of each year,  following the publication of our annual book, he would say, “I guess I will stay tuned”… red pen in hand…for the more than 20 of our annual publications,100 newsletters, and many more invitations to events. Julius’ finely tuned sensibility to design issues and his eagle’s eye for things that needed fixing were invaluable. His comments, corrections, and suggestions were proffered in the most gentlemanly fashion.

Our favorite outing with Julius was a trip to Auburn to petition the head of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) to permit their fragile Depression-era murals on the History of Alabama Agriculture to travel to Birmingham for an exhibit. As always, Julius made us look credible. ACES not only loaned the murals, but later  restored them, and transferred them to the Auburn museum for long term conservation. Julius had indeed made us look credible.

Julius helped Katie Tipton and me work out the concept and format for Birmingham by the Book: A Guide to the Magic City (coming Winter 2026). He told me how to organize the UAB chapter and thankfully approved of the resulting  text and layout. He read and edited the first draft of the book and this summer was serving as a final reader. Ten days ago, he returned his page proofs of a major chapter with this hand-written note: 

A man wearing sunglasses and a red polo shirt, smiling while resting with a hand on his face in a green, leafy setting.
A group photo featuring three individuals standing together in a warmly decorated room, with a large piece of art displayed on the wall behind them.
Dr. Linn and Katie Tipton seated at an outdoor table surrounded by trees, enjoying a sunny day.
A man wearing a formal suit and oxygen tubing, standing next to a woman dressed in a patterned black dress, both smiling at an event with a festive atmosphere in a well-decorated venue.
A group of four people enjoying a meal outdoors, surrounded by greenery. One woman is standing, smiling, while three men are seated at the table, engaged in conversation. The scene conveys a friendly and sociable atmosphere.
A man standing in front of a large, dark wooden house, surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery.

“Marjorie, Wonderful, descriptive book of Birmingham’s development, the central areas & more. It should become a classic for newcomers, for businesses, for recruitment of companies & workers. It is well organized with beautiful photography and more. Congratulations to everyone who worked on and organized this project. ” – Julius E. Linn

I hope Julius knew how much we valued his counsel and his friendship.

– Marjorie White, BHS Director

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 15, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Birmingham (downtown)

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Opera Birmingham, the Birmingham Historical Society Publication Fund, the Birmingham Museum of Art, or First United Methodist Church of Birmingham.

Annual Gathering, Birmingham Historical Society, Heritage Society

The Legacy of Margaret Livingston

Last evening’s well-attended and highly deserved tribute to Margaret Livingston featured guest speakers Paul Zahl, the former deacon of The Cathedral Church of the Advent and Margaret’s pastor, and Gail Andrews, the former Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Both speakers emphasized Margaret’s remarkable energy, unwavering enthusiasm, keen intelligence, genuine warmth, and fervent dedication to the museum. Gail highlighted her significant contributions to increasing attendance, enhancing educational programs, and enriching the museum’s collections.

Birmingham Historical Society Director, Marjorie White, points out features relevant to Margaret Livingston’s life that the artist Larry Rivers included in the painting commissioned by the museum.

Margaret Gresham Livingston by Larry Rivers, 1987. Oil on canvas mounted on foamcore, 97 x 60 x 5.5 in the Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art; Museum purchase 1987.32,
Audio recording of BHS Director Marjorie White’s remarks on the Larry Rivers painting (recorded by Margaret Meadows Livingston)
Paul Zahl with Marjorie White

Paul Zahl led the evening with a “Bidding Prayer” which he explained, rather than a euology, summarizes aspects of the person’s life, excerpted below:

“We give thanks to Thee for Margaret’s brilliant intelligence married to warmth, sincere openness, and also determination. We thank Thee for her generous and open heart. I thank Thee for her interior life, her unity even now with Thee….in Thy everlasting arms forever.”

-Reverend Paul Zahl

Audio recording of Paul Zahl, former Dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, paying tribute to Margaret Gresham Livingston (recorded by Mary Meadows Livingston)

While the evening was originally planned to celebrate her 100th birthday, sadly she didn’t live to receive the accolades that she received.

The evening began with cocktails in the sculpture garden of the Birmingham Museum of Art, followed by a seated dinner. Margaret’s family was in attendance, along with museum benefactors, friends, and BHS Heritage Society members.

Margaret’s children & grandchildren in attendance with her portrait by Larry Rivers. (Left to right, Paul Weiner, Mary Margaret Livingston Hindman, Dr. Elizabeth Livingston, Kathy Livingston Rutledge, Katie Nelson, Dr. Sarah Weiner, Jim Livingston, Jr.)

The museum’s commissioned choice of artist Larry Rivers reflected Margaret’s wish that the museum expand its collection of traditional art to include popular contemporary and ‘pop art’ among other styles.

Bottom left, former Birmimgham Museum of Art Director, Gail Andrews (photos by BHS volunteer, Katie Tipton)
Audio Recording of former Birmingham Museum of Art Director, Gail Andrews on Margaret Livingston’s contribution to the museum (recorded by Margaret Meadows Livingston)
The evening started with cocktails in the sculpture garden of the Birmingham Museum of Art followed by a seated dinner in the main lobby area.

Thank you Margaret Gresham Livingston for your life, your passion, your legacy, and your contribution to a better quality of life in Birmingham.

Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham pioneers, Heritage Society

Margaret Livingston Tribute

Margaret Gresham Livingston by Larry Rivers, 1987. Oil on canvas mounted on foamcore, 97 x 60 x 5.5 in the Collection of the Birmingham Museum of Art; Museum purchase 1987.32, photograph by Erin Croxton ©️ 2024 Estate of Larry Rivers, Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

This weekend, the Birmingham Historical Society will host its annual Heritage Society gathering at the Birmingham Museum of Art, honoring the legacy of Margaret Livingston. As a staunch advocate for the enhancement of the museum’s collections and its art education initiatives, she exemplified dedication and vision, playing a pivotal role in the museum’s growth and accomplishments. Her extensive knowledge, fervent enthusiasm, and steadfast advocacy were profoundly valued by six directors (three while she was chairman of the board) who served over the course of 70 years, all while she refrained from seeking recognition for her efforts. Consequently, this tribute serves to highlight the significant contributions she rightfully deserves.

The portrait by Larry Rivers displayed above was commissioned by the Museum for its contemporary collection. Although the artwork was created in his New York studio, Rivers requested photographs depicting scenes from Birmingham, images of Margaret’s family, and elements from the museum’s collection to incorporate into the background. The result is a contemporary montage that encapsulates her life.

To join the Heritage Society and receive invitations to future events, please view more information here.