Year-Round
Guided tours are offered by appointment only, Monday - Friday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00. Self-guided tours anytime Monday-Friday, no appointment needed. Guided Saturday Tours are offered at 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 (group reservation requested but not required).
Call Lisa Franklin,
Site Director, at
334-242-3188 for more information.
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October
Quilt Show and Friday Presentations,
Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information call
256-383-4401 or download flyer here.
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October 1
1814 Militia. For more information call 334-567-3002.
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October 1
Artifact Day, 10:00am-4:00pm. For more information call
334-872-8058.
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October 1
BYO (Bring Your Own) Bike Tour, 10:00am-12:00pm. For more information call
334-872-8058.
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October 7 & 22
Haunted History Tours,
Tour Times: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 & 9:00 p.m. For more information call
334-875-7241.
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October 8
Fall Garrison Living History Day, 9:00am-3:00pm. For more information call
251-540-7127.
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October 19
Quarterly Commission Meeting----
Meeting will be held at the Alabama Dept of Archives & History in Montgomery, 1:00pm. For more information call 334-230-2690.
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October 27
Ghost Tales and Goosebumps at 6:00pm. For more information call 334-624-8618.
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Renowned Architect & Preservationist, Nicholas H. Holmes, Jr., (1924-2016)
The Alabama Historical Commission is saddened by the passing of Nicholas Holmes, Jr. He was a founding member of the Commission and married to current Commissioner Ann Bedsole.
With the recent death of Nicholas Holmes Jr., south Alabama has lost one of its most prolific preservationists. Born in Chicago in 1924, Holmes spent much of his life in Mobile. Holmes' architectural studies were interrupted during World War II, but he
even
tually earned a degree in architecture from Auburn. He later spent time in Paris, restoring buildings damaged during the war.
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Nicholas Holmes, Jr. in 2007 at a job site in Loxley, Alabama, where he was using his father's (Nicholas H. Holmes Sr.) brass level (theodolite)
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Holmes specialized in historic renovations. Alongside his eldest son, Nicholas Holmes, III, he was responsible for the restoration of several iconic Alabama structures, including Mobile's Christ Church, Barton Academy, and most recently, Murphy High School. His other credits include the restoration of the Alabama State Capitol and several buildings on the campus of the University of Alabama.
The Teague House, home of the Alabama Historical Commission, was another one of Holmes' successful restoration projects.
A "man of high degree," Holmes is survived by his wife Ann Bedsole, four children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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A Happy Birthday Celebration for General Joe Wheeler
The annual birthday celebration was a resounding success! Thank you to the
Friends of the General Joe Wheeler Foundation for your support.
Lucy LeGrand Walser and daughter Sally Wheeler Walser, both
General Joe Wheeler descendants, with Lucy's mother Sally Spencer, enjoying the celebration
Friends member and volunteer Marilyn Clark and Kara Long, site director of Pond Spring
Lucy LeGrand Walser and Zack
Caudill, Pond Spring Grounds Maintenance
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Black Heritage Council Preservation Forum
The Black Heritage Council of the Alabama Historical Commission hosted its annual Preservation Forum in Hayneville, Alabama on October 1.
The Black Heritage Council shined a spotlight on Lowndes County's history, heritage, and historic places at this year's Forum. The theme for the program was Preserving and Promoting Community History in Lowndes County.
Lisa Jones, Executive Director of the Alabama Historical Commission speaking to Forum participants.
Frazine Taylor, Chair of the Black Heritage Council
Guest Speakers Left to Right: Jay Lamar, Executive Director of the Bicentennial Commission and Chloe Mercer,
Federal Tax Credits and Alabama Ad Valorem Coordinator with Alabama Historical Commission.
Guest Speaker Hannah Garmon, Historic Cemetery Programs, Historical Markers, Alabama Register Coordinator with the Alabama Historical
Commission
Forum participants
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Alabama National Register Review Board Meeting
The Fall meeting of the Alabama National Register Review Board was held Thursday, September 29th and was quite successful. The review board discussed and unanimously approved six nominations that contributed unique stories to the architectural and cultural history of Alabama.
Four of the nominations came from the Mobile area:
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The Isle Dauphine Club, Dauphin Island, AL
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The Isle Dauphine Club on Dauphin Island,
is a mid century modern jewel on the Gulf Coast that represents a unique example of the International Style in Alabama. The club operated as a retreat for vacationers and property owners on Dauphin Island.
The Oakleigh Garden District
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Oakleigh Garden District, Mobile, AL
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in Mobile is one of the largest historic districts in the state with 691 contributing resources. An update to this 1972 nomination was completed to bring its Period of Significance up to 1966. The abundance of architectural types and styles, from dog trots to high style neo classical and Victorian houses, makes this district one of the most diverse districts in the state.
The Swift-Coles house in Bon
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Swift-Coles house, Bon Secour, Baldwin County, AL
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Secour, Baldwin County, was nominated for its significance as a Gulf Coast house and its unique design. The house started its life as a simple four room dog trot in 1882 and by 1910 had ballooned to a sixteen room mansion that conveys elements of a creole cottage.
The Jenkins family farm and house were also
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Jenkins Family Farm, Loxley, Alabama
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nominated for its significance as the most profitable African American farm in the State of Alabama during the twentieth century. The story of this family and their farm is truly amazing. The family turned a small turpentine operation in Loxley, Baldwin County, into a one-thousand-acre agricultural operation involving soy beans and peanuts, as well as cattle farming. Members of the Jenkins family were in attendance to show support for the nomination.
The final two nominations came from other parts of the state. The first being
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Dothan Dixie/Water Works Standpipe, Dothan, AL
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the Dothan Dixie/Water Works Standpipe just north of Downtown Dothan. The standpipe is the first water tower in Dothan and was built in 1897. It is the oldest continually operated standpipe in the state. It is also the second water tower to be individually listed in the State of Alabama, after the Old Florence Water Tower.
And to round out the list, the board approved the nomination of the John Glifford Grimsley House in Fayette, Fayette County. Built in 1916, the Grimsley house is an intact neo classical revival mansion hidden amongst the hills and cotton fields of Fayette. The house was built by Mr. Grimsley, was a successful business man and his descendants still own the house today.
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10th Annual Haunted History Tours of Old Cahawba
Alabama's most famous ghost town is rarely open to nighttime visitors, but on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 22,
a few lucky people will experience Old Cahawba after dark.
Reserve one of a limited number of tickets, and you will be transported to Cahawba's most haunted locations where authentic historical accounts of ghosts attached to each place will be shared. Then the Alabama Paranormal Research group will step in with their ghost hunting equipment so you can participate in a mini investigation. After the formal tour, you can swap ghost tales around a bonfire, chat with a paranormal investigator, or learn more about Cahawba's mysterious history.
Seats for this 90 minute tour and investigation are limited and
advance tickets are required. This is a deluxe wagon tour but some walking is necessary. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
Tour Times: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 & 9:00 p.m.
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Quilt Show the Month of October at Belle Mont
The Belle Mont Quilt Show begins in October. Be sure to visit Wednesday - Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Glenn Rickard will share his extensive collection of quilts, all locally made throughout a century. Hear a presentation by the collector every Friday and bring your own special quilts for a show and tell!
For more information contact Ninon Parker at 256-383-4401 or ninhpark@comcast.net.
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Where in the State are the AHC Staff?
Mary Shell,
Community Services/Preservation Planner, CLG Coordinator and Collier Neeley, National Register Coordinator, met with the Fayette Historic Preservation
C
ommission to advise them on
the local regulation process as they begin to protect their downtown Nati
onal Register district.
Dorothy Walker (second from left), site director of the Freedom Rides Museum, participated in the Landmarks Foundation's Rosenwald Forum in Montgomery, Alabama. Left to Right:
Dr. Carla Jackson Bell
Dean of the The Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science (TSAC) at Tuskegee University; Dorothy Walker; Kathleen Kirkpatrick,
Director, Community - Alabama + Mississippi, U.S. Green Building Council; Dr. J. R. Brown, co-owner of the Cecil Rosenwald School, Montgomery County
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Happenings at #AHCsites
On Saturday, October 1st people from across the state gathered at Old Cahawba to analyze artifacts that were uncovered during the summer excavation of Alabama's first state house.
On September 17 Fort Toulouse also hosted a Fall Bird Walk
Gaineswood was featured in the Sept-Oct 2016 issue of Alabama Magazine
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AHC Welcomes New Employees
The Alabama Historical Commission welcomes Christopher Kinder as the Alabama Dept of Transportation (ALDOT) liaison and Architectural Historian. Christopher will review DOT projects for their effects on above-ground cultural resources. He will also serve as the Arch
itectural Historian reviewer for all Section 106 projects.
Christopher earned a bachelor of science in historic preservation and a master of arts in public history, both of which from Southeast Missouri State University. He and his wife, Jodi) just celebrated their tenth anniversary in September. They have one son, Aiden, who is nine.
The AHC also welcomes Pamela Ruggles at Pond Spring, the General Joe Wheeler Home. Her job duties will include giving tours, working in the gift shop, and assisting the site director.
Pamela has volunteered at museums for many years and is excited to be a part of the daily activities at Pond Spring.
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Happenings Around the State
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OCTOBER
October 19 - Quarterly Commission Meeting will be held at the Alabama Dept of Archives & History in Montgomery at 1:00pm. For more information call 334-230-2690.
October 24 - The Alabama Humanities Foundation will hold its annual awards luncheon at The Club at 11:30am in Birmingham. Keynote speaker will be Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. Special guest will be Roland Mesnier, former White House Executive Pastry Chef. For more information visit www.alabamahumanities.org
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Want to Share Preservation News and Events Statewide?
Send news and event information to the Alabama Historical Commission.
Please mark as "Attention: E-News."
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