Tag Archives: history

Birmingham Historical Society, Membership, Newsletters, Publications, Research

Lots of Info Available on our Website

Are you aware of all the information on our website? Could you find what you needed when doing a search? Here’s a short list below with links in green. Scroll away and share with your friends!

Publications

Membership

Resources

Historic Preservation

  • Historic Register Maps
  • Historic Register tax incentives, guidelines, etc.
  • Tax abatements for commercial property renovation
  • Historic Photographs
  • How to get an historic marker
  • How to research an historic home

BHS Archives

Social Media

  • Links to BHS Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Amazon storefront, and Blog Subscription in left sidebar
  • Subscription links throughout which enable you to receive all blog posts via email.
  • A search menu to tagged articles with similar information on right at top of website

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.

Altamont, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Brock’s Gap, Exhibition, George Ward, Hoover, Membership, Research, Shades Creek, Shades Crest Road, shades mountain, Trustees, Warren Manning

Bye Bye Birgit!

Sunday afternoon, the Birmingham Historical Society hosted a going away reception for a much appreciated member and BHS Trustee who is moving to Tampa, Florida; Birgit Kibelka. A gifted landscape architect, Birgit was responsible for a massive amount of work for BHS as well as for the community which was displayed throughout the BHS offices.

Birgit researched and documented historic sites with BHS during 14 years from 2010 until 2024. Together with BHS Director Marjorie White, they explored, mapped and documented early residential developments, parks, trails, culverts, railroad cuts and creeks.

These historic sites include Warren Manning’s plan for Mountain Brook, Ross Bridge, Altamont Park, the George Ward Preserve, Brock’s Gap, Bluff Park and the Shades Creek watershed.

Birgit initiated the Brock’s Gap research project after discovering plans for a road that could potentially harm the significant historic site. It ultimately led to the inclusion of historic sites in Hoover’s 2023 Parks & Public Spaces Plan (pgs 44-47).

Above: Landscape Architect Birgit Kibelka and James White. Below: Birgit with BHS Director, Marjorie White
Birgit’s work is included in three BHS publications including Altamont: A Portion of Red Mountain and Its Park, Mountain Brook: A historic American Landscape, and Shades Creek – Flowing Through Time
Photos by Louise McPhillips and Rebecca Moody

During the reception, Marjorie White acknowledged Birgit’s dedication and highlighted her impressive contributions to the Society. Birgit then spoke, sharing her insights and passion for the historical value of traditional paper maps, and explaining their importance in today’s time of continually updated online maps. She explained that maps are important for historic documentation in that historic sites are otherwise not found. She later provided the example below of Brock’s Gap.

The history of the gap is well described in the 1992 book “A History of Hoover, Alabama and Its People” by  Marilyn Davis Barefield. Nevertheless, the historic marker was located facing the second railroad cut and not the original one and no one  – except for Sam Curren – knew where the site was. A map would have prevented such a general loss of knowledge.

Good luck, Birgit, in your new home. You will be greatly missed!

cookies by BHS President Wayne Hester’s daughter, Georgeann@baked.by.georgie
Photos by Louise McPhillips and Rebecca Moody

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

Our Highland Avenue Neighborhood

The Birmingham Historical Society relocated their offices in November of 2022 to a 1924 apartment building in the historic Southside neighborhood, following 37 years at Sloss Quarters. Extensive research into the history of the new location has been a delight and has acquainted the Society with Highland Avenue’s dedicated historian, Randy Merritt. He has amassed a wealth of information and postcards of the area over the years and is situated nearby in the impressive Mortimer Jordan house. It is thanks to his efforts that the Society’s offices are adorned with images and histories of every home ever constructed on Highland Avenue, along with documentation of the original homes that still stand today.

“Historic Highland Avenue: Exploring an Iconic Street” is a featured article in Birmingham Lifestyle’s July 2024 issue, which includes these images and postcards, as well as the addresses of the remaining homes. Strolling along the street offers a journey through Birmingham’s architectural history and serves as a poignant reminder of those who made significant contributions to the city’s beginnings. For further reading on Highland Avenue, its parks, and the Southside area, additional posts can be found here.

(Note: Clicking on cover image will open entire digital magazine issue, best opened on large screen. Other images can be enlarged “as is” on smaller screens.)

See Page 40 for article on Highland Avenue