Tag Archives: Marjorie White

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Historical Society, Farming, Gardening, Grandmothers Garden

In memory of Sallie Lee, Jeff County Extension Agent

For fifteen years, Sallie Lee guided the Birmingham Historical Society in the creation of an early 20th century demonstration garden at Sloss Quarters. She was an invaluable resource in identifying plant materials that might have been planted next to a shotgun house of that era as well as providing soil amendment advice and even labor. Over the years, the master gardener volunteers and BHS Director Marjorie White enjoyed her friendship as well as her tutelage in creating Grandmother’s Garden.

Sallie Lee and Marjorie White talk about Grandmother’s Garden (video)

Sallie was featured on WBRC’s Good Day Alabama as a gardening expert and had many friends among Alabama gardeners as well as among the staff at Birmingham Botanical Gardens where she maintained an office and often lectured. Sallie retired in 2020 after serving Alabama Extension for over 22 years. She successfully held several positions beginning with 7 years as an Agent Assistant, before moving up to a County Extension Agent in 2005, and in 2009 an Urban Regional Extension Agent with the Home Grounds, Gardens, and Home Pests team.

Although she retired early to care for family members, she was making plans to move back to Alabama. Our BHS gardening group was really looking forward to reconnecting with her. Sadly, she died August 2nd. She will be greatly missed.

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

Annual meeting, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Historical Society, Endowment, Heritage Society, Membership

Gift Memberships, New Memberships

At the 82nd Annual Birmingham Historical Society meeting featuring a talk by Guest Speaker Dr. William Deutsch, President Wayne Hester reminded the audience of the importance of $50 gift memberships, particularly for interested young people. The non-profit society depends upon the generosity of donors and members to provide free events and support its mission and research. Its volunteer organization relies upon the time and talent of its members. We encourage you to join us or give a gift! Thank you to all those who attended for your continuing support.

Left to right: BHS President Wayne Hester, Guest Speaker Dr. William Deutsch, BHS Director Marjorie White. Photo by Louise McPhillips

Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Brock’s Gap, Historic Preservation, Hoover, Olmsted Brothers, Parks & Recreation, Research, Shades Crest Road, Trustees, Warren Manning

Hoover’s Historic + Cultural Spaces

Here is a concrete example of how the Birmingham Historical Society contributes to the quality of life in Birmingham based on the goals listed below. Trustee Birgit Kibelka and Director Marjorie White worked with the City of Hoover planning team to include historic sites in their comprehensive Park & Public Spaces Plan 2023, bringing multiple sites to their attention with well-documented research, part of which was used on pages 44-47 of the Master Plan. (For the entire Parks Public Spaces + Recreation Plan, see the link below) Thank you Birgit & Marjorie for your dedication and input!

  • Preservation of History
  • Education & Awareness
  • Research & Documentation
  • Community Engagement
  • Tourism & Economic Development

Hoover Parks Public Spaces + Recreation Plan

Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, family history, Highland Avenue, Historic Preservation, Housing, Neighborhoods, Research, Southside

Why is the “Little Villa” worth saving?

UPDATE! Design Review tables decision to demolish the “Little Villa”

WBRC video with comments by BHS Director Marjorie White

A little history about the “Little Villa” scheduled for demolition on Highland Avenue. The demolition request comes before Birmingham City Council on February 28th. Please also see the petition and @BhamNow article.

Click to read more!

Architecture, Bethel Baptist Church, Birmingham Civil Rights, Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, civil rights, Fred Shuttlesworth, Historic Preservation, Research

Alabama may soon have a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Over fifteen years ago, back in 2007, the Birmingham Historical Society filed a nomination for Birmingham’s Bethel Baptist and 16th Street Baptist, along with Dexter Avenue Baptist in Montgomery to be included among the UNESCO “World Heritage Civil Rights Movement Sites”. At the time, the World Heritage Society was researching sites throughout the world of non-violent movements in the twentieth century that confronted and dismantled racial segregation. The sites in Alabama were considered along with campaigns & sites fighting colonialism in India, across Africa, and elsewhere in the world alongside the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. On Thursday, August 10th, 2023, the World Heritage Society team will be visiting Bethel Baptist to make a final determination on the Alabama sites.

CRITERION (iv) Significance in Human History:
“To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage (s) in human history.”

CRITERION (vi) Heritage Associated with Events of Universal Significance:
“To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria).”

GSU World Heritage Initiative

Glenn Eskew, who has ties to Birmingham, is the historian who headed up the George State initiative to review all possible sites in the United States. Over 300 sites were considered and over half were visited. The Civil Rights Movement nomination in addition to those in Alabama includes 10 additional sites across the country. The complete nomination can be read HERE

Ultimately, the 13 sites were considered for final selection because “the location and setting for each of the component sites remains relatively intact, thereby enabling each to retain its cultural value. All of the components of the potential Serial Nomination of U.S. Civil Rights Movement Sites express a spirituality and feeling of being as in a sacred space. All have evolved into shrines where the public goes to comprehend how nonviolent protests removed racial barriers to achieve tangible racial integration and intangible associated values of freedom and racial equality.”

The significance and benefits of being on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

(For a copy of ‘The Walk to Freedom’ published by the Birmingham Historical Society and illustrated in the header above, please click HERE)

A Guide to Architectural Styles, Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Historic Preservation, Housing, Neighborhoods, Publications, Research

The Simplicity of the Two Room House

Numerous examples of this style of construction existed in the antebellum South as slave quarters and later as company housing. This is a twentieth century example.

Find out about this and numerous other popular home building styles with Birmingham Historical Society’s book, A Guide to Architectural Styles featuring Birmingham Homes. It features the drawings of Auburn University’s Professor of Architecture, Cheryl Morgan, with descriptions by BHS Director, Marjorie White.
Birmingham Historical Society, Brock’s Gap, Hoover, Parks & Recreation, Planning, Engineering, and Permits, Shades Creek, Shades Crest Road, shades mountain

Hoover wants your input on Green Spaces

Hoover is seeking the public’s input on a long-term plan for parks, public spaces, greenways, trails, and blue ways. Lots of plans are being explored including the one prepared by the Birmingham Historical Society’s Marjorie White and Birgit Kibelka along the historic Ross Bridge property (see below). Officials are considering 32 public places, and 20 miles of frontage on the Cahaba River.

Make your voice be heard! Improve your community by participating in this online survey and attending the May meetings.

Click HERE for Online Survey and Meeting Schedule

Click HERE for pdf printable map with links of proposed sites along historic Brock’s Gap and Ross Creek Culvert

Architecture, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Historic Preservation, Publications

What is the architectural style of your home?

Curious about whether your home fits the classic description of a particular architectural style? This was the focus of the BHS book, A Guide to Architectural Styles, featuring Birmingham Homes. Line drawings are accompanied by details to look for when determining architectural characteristics. Forty-five popular Birmingham styles include the Bungalow, Cottage, Ranch, Split-Level, Classical Revival, Shotgun, Tudor, Prairie, and Craftsman. An example of the ever popular Craftsman Style home is pictured below:

Annual meeting, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Historical Society, BOOK, Book Sale, Book Signing, Cake & Pie Contest, Deep South Dynasty, family history, Favorite Pie & Cake Contest, lecture, Meetings, Membership, Research, University of Alabama

Annual Meeting featuring The Bankheads of Alabama

Everyone is welcome at the Annual Meeting of the Birmingham Historical Society on February 27th at 7:00PM at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Copies of the book, “Deep South Dynasty” published by University of Alabama Press will be available for sale and signed by Professor of History, Kari Frederickson. A popular annual cake walk follows the meeting.