Tag Archives: Sloss Furnaces

Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Exhibition, Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month

Symphony of Elements: A Free Tribute to Metal Art and Science

Opening May 23rd, this exhibit by The Symphony of Elements Foundation is FREE as a landmark tribute to Birmingham’s industrial heritage at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark — “one of the most historically significant industrial sites in the United States”.

Chairman + Director, Symphony of Elements Foundation

Dr. Raymond Thompson, PhD, PE

Dr. Raymond Thompson has spent more than six decades at the intersection of metallurgy, education, and community. Symphony of Elements is the culmination of all three.

A celebrated Engineering Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Dr. Thompson shaped generations of engineers through his courses in metallurgy, ceramics, and materials science. His influence extended far beyond the classroom: he served on the UAB Long-Term Planning Committee, the School of Engineering Advisory Council, and as president of the UAB National Alumni Society, earning the UAB Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to education.

After more than 60 years as a Birmingham resident, researcher, and teacher, Dr. Thompson created Symphony of Elements to share what he has always known: that metals are not just functional — they are beautiful, complex, and endlessly fascinating.

This exhibit is his gift to the city that shaped him.

Event poster for 'Forged in Steel: A Festival of Elements' celebrating the art and science of metal, featuring live music, metal arts, speakers, vendors, and food trucks, taking place on Saturday, May 23 from 10 AM to 4 PM at Sloss Furnace.
Birmingham Historical Society, Birmingham Landmarks, Birmingham pioneers, Historic Preservation

Protecting Sloss Furnaces

The National Historic Landmarks Program protects our American cultural heritage by bringing attention to worthy landmarks and guiding the process to nominate them. In Birmingham, there are currently only 3 listed landmarks: 16th Street Baptist Church, Sloss Furnaces, and Bethel Baptist Church as well as the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument (which includes multiple sites).

There are over 2,600 National Landmarks in the U.S. today including buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts. To be considered, the landmark must be nationally important and contributing to an understanding of our nation’s heritage. Sloss Furnaces is a monument to our nation’s industrial heritage and was considered to have “perhaps the greatest potential of any area in the country for developing a comprehensive museum to the industry.”

Sloss Furnaces was saved from demolition by the efforts of the Birmingham Regional Planning Commission, who brought the landmark to the attention of the National Park Service. Thanks to Bham Now for highlighting this important process!

Interior view of an industrial facility featuring large metal structures, a conveyor system, and rusted components under a clear blue sky.
Jordyn Davis/Bham Now

While they are not on the National Parks Historic Landmarks list, there are many other historic properties worth noting in Birmingham listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bhamwiki lists them HERE.  

And although the National Register of Historic Landmarks and the National Register of Historic Places are both administered by the National Park Service, the landmarks represent places of exceptional national significance.

Certainly, Sloss Furnaces is worthy of this special recognition!