Alabama History & Culture News: December 1 edition

 

Here's the latest batch of links to just-published Alabama history and culture articles. Most of these items are from newspapers, with others from magazines and TV and radio station websites. Some articles may be behind a paywall. Enjoy!

10 Things You Will Learn At USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park - TheTravel TheTravel Looking to learn more about naval history, technology, and warfare? It's time to explore USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park!

Dr. Jim Brown, Author of Distracted by Alabama - thehomewoodstar.com The Homewood Star Dr. Brown is a native Tennessean. He earned his PhD in European history from Vanderbilt and taught history at Samford University from 1971-2016.

Visit Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama Alabama NewsCenter Cheaha Mountain offers Alabama's most majestic views as well as history, hiking and abundant recreational opportunities. (Alabama State Parks).

Alabama's execution problems are part of a long history of botched lethal ... - The Conversation The Conversation Alabama has paused the carrying out of death sentences after a series of cases in which the state struggled with the procedure.

“Afternoons with Harper Lee” By: Wayne Flynt | Alabama Public Radio Alabama Public Radio At a “History and Heritage” festival in Eufaula, in 1983, Lee was, ... to discuss or a particular southeast Alabama historical event, ...

Visit Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama

Alabama NewsCenter

Cheaha Mountain offers Alabama's most majestic views as well as history, hiking and abundant recreational opportunities. (Alabama State Parks).

Daniel Moore shares process behind creating art inspired by Alabama football's biggest moments WHNT.com “The neat thing about that book is that I collaborated with Keith Jackson, the famous sportscaster, and The Birmingham News, where you get the ...

Teen kills 'monster' deer in Alabama. Mystery remains how this rare species got there Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Randolph County, Alabama, teen Coye Potts of Handley High School in Roanoke shot and killed a red stag deer while hunting in Rock Mills.

Arbor Springs Baptist in Reform celebrates 150th anniversary The Alabama Baptist Ricky Morris was the guest pianist. David Nelson of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, Mike Jackson of the State Board of Missions and Lyle ...

The Iron Bowl and its weather history - WBRC WBRC The weather can vary quite a bit for Alabama's biggest football game.

Book Review: Ancient Life in Alabama | Opinion | auburnvillager.com

Auburn Villager

... followed up his acclaimed work on Alabama rivers with a new book titled "Ancient Life in Alabama: The Fossils, the Finders & Why It Matters.".

Marbury's Confederate Memorial Park to host Santa's Post Office - Elmore-Autauga News Elmore-Autauga News (Marbury, AL) Confederate Memorial Park, a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission, will host a special seasonal event on Saturday, ...

Slavery's ghost haunts cotton gin factory's transformation | AP News

AP News

(AP) — There's no painless way to explain the history of a massive brick structure being renovated into apartments in this central Alabama city ...

FBC Alexander City celebrates 150th anniversary throughout October - The Alabama Baptist

The Alabama Baptist

Calvin Milford of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presented a certificate Oct. 16. “The celebration was a reminder that we have been ...

Hartford Square to be named Alabama Historic location - WDHN WDHN Recently, Alabama Historical Society members came to Hartford and fell in love with the city's downtown square. Mayor Neil Strickland says they ...

Folks light the way on first Africatown Historical Lantern Walk - FOX10 News FOX10 News People came from all across the state for the Africatown Historical Lantern Walk to learn about the history of Africatown and remember its ancestors.

Historic home Woodside 'completely gone' due to fire | WHNT.com

WHNT.com

SVFD Chief Dustin Tucker says Woodside, a home that was part of the Belle Mina plantation formerly owned by Alabama's second governor Thomas Bibb, ...

Lifelong Huntsville resident and author Antonio Howard discovered 'Cousins by the Dozens ... AL.com What inspired you to write this family history? I wanted to share the story of a WWII veteran who I discovered was my uncle, my great uncle, ...

Cheer Up! Sam, or, Sarah Bell

Wikipedia has this opening for its entry on the minstrel show, or minstrelsy, "an American form of racist theatrical entertainment developed in the early 19th century. Each show consisted of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances that depicted people specifically of African descent. The shows were performed by mostly white people wearing blackface make-up for the purpose of playing the role of black people. There were also some African-American performers and black-only minstrel groups that formed and toured. Minstrel shows caricatured black people as dim-witted, lazy, buffoonish, superstitious, and happy-go-lucky.^[1][2]"

^{As the entry notes, the minstrel show was the first original form of
American theater. The first shows appeared in the northeast in the
1830's, but spread across the country and remained a fixture of American
culture well into the 20th century. Some small tours continued in the
Southeast and the Midwest into the 1930's. Amateur productions 
are known to have continued in high schools and local venues until the
1960's. The form had been largely replaced, however, by 1910 as the
less racist vaudeville gained in popularity. I've done a blog post on one minstrel
show, "J.C. Lincoln's Sunny South Minstrels in Alabama in 1836."}

Minstrel shows included comedy skits, dances and songs. Minstrelsy's legacy continues to permeate American culture today in many ways. Fast paced gags and puns are one example. Some jokes, such as "Why did the chicken cross the road?" continue to be told.

^{I recently came across the song below that appeared in minstrel shows
and has an Alabama connection. According to one source, "Cheer Up!
Sam. Sara Bell" was popularized by Christy's Minstrels which formed in
Buffalo, New York, in 1843. The group was so popular its show ran in
New York City in  a single venue from March 1847 until July 1854.} 

^{You can read the lyrics about "deceitful Sarah Bell" and see a printed 
version below. An 1856 version with sheet music can be found here.} 

CHEER UP! SAM. SARAH BELL

Music published and sold by ROBINSON SON, No. 24 South Fifth Street.

Oh! down in Alabama,

Before I was set free,

I loved a dark eyed yellow girl,

And thought that she loved me;

But she has proved inconstant,

And left me here to tell

The sorrow that my heart feels

For deceitful Sarah Bell.

CHORUS.

Cheer up Sam! now don't let your spirits go down

For there's many a belle,

That we know well,

Is looking for you in the town.

I had not much to give her,

Yet all I had I gave;

But wealth and fortune don't belong

To one that's born a slave.

A white man came with dollars,

She fled with him to dwell,

And broke the vows she made to me,

Oh! perjured Sarah Bell.

Now all day while I'm working,

And hoeing up the corn,

I sigh and wish within myself

I never had been born.

Perhaps she's gay and happy,

Wherever she may dwell,

While my poor heart is breaking

For deceitful Sarah Bell.

Printed and Sold Wholesale at

CARD JOB PRINTING OFFICE,

Philadelphia.

JOHNSON, Song Publisher, No. 7 N. Tenth Street

 

Source: Library of Congress 

Alabama History & Culture News: November 19 edition

 

Here's the latest batch of links to just-published Alabama history and culture articles. Most of these items are from newspapers, with others from magazines and TV and radio station websites. Some articles may be behind a paywall. Enjoy!

'South to America' takes home National Book Award for nonfiction - CNBC CNBC Perry's book beat finalists including John A. Farrell's "Ted Kennedy: A ... chronicles the Princeton professor's journey to her native Alabama, ...

Poarch Creek Documentary Premieres On Alabama Public TV - NorthEscambia.com NorthEscambia.com “The Forgotten Creeks” recalls the history of Alabama's Mvskoke Creek Indians from Spanish contact in the 1500's through the Indian Removal Act of ...

Lowndes Academy building – heart of Lowndesboro community for nearly 100 years | Lowndes Signal Howard described a report in which Robert Gamble, former Senior Architectural Historian at the Alabama Historical Commissions outlined the current ...

Most Beautiful Historic Home In Alabama: Bragg-Mitchell Mansion - Only In Your State Only In Your State Because Alabama is a huge part of the South, there's no shortage of historic antebellum homes. While most of these homes are currently occupied ...

Food for Thought: Architecture of the Enslaved, Documenting Alabama's Slave Houses YouTube The program will be held in person at the Alabama Department of Archives and History (ADAH) in Montgomery. Admission is FREE.

Auburn University research project allows world to see inside USS Drum submarine Alabama NewsCenter They've done a great job there in Alabama at the military park.” History preserved through technology. Lister is pleased the Auburn-led research team ...

2022 Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence Winners Announced Business Wire Winner: Susan Stein at Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa (1847) Point Clear, Alabama. Historic Hotels of America Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers ...

'Mockingbird' delivers an important indictment of white saviorism - Beverly Press Beverly Press The book, an Alabama woman's semi-autobiographical observation on race and culture in a Depression-era southern community, struck a nerve upon ...

"The Forgotten Creeks" documentary and “Alabama Folk” podcast premiere this week The Bama Buzz A new documentary about the history of Alabama's Poarch Band of Creek Indians and a podcast featuring Alabama folk artists are premiering this ...

Caretaker of historic church says education key to preservation - WVTM WVTM Bethel Baptist Church is a centerpiece of the struggle for civil rights in Birmingham. From 1956 to 1961, it was the headquarters of the Alabama ...

'It's a dry forest' with men throwing matches: A history of homicide in Birmingham - AL.com AL.com “It has a history of industrial violence as well as racial violence. ... The Birmingham News declares 'Crime Splashes Bloody Trail Over Alabama.

Reception for progression of Gus Mitchell Store Museum set for Nov. 17 - Selma Sun

Selma Sun

This sign marks the site of the Gus Mitchell Store, recognized as a historic site by the Alabama Historical Commission in 2020. Image provided.

Historical Society plans 2023 lunch, learn series - The Hartselle Enquirer

The Hartselle Enquirer

“We would also like to express our thanks to the Alabama Humanities Alliance for providing a grant to help with the expense of these sessions. The ...

Alabama Baptists kick off celebration of 200th year of cooperative work The Alabama Baptist The History Team, led by Lonette Berg, executive director of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, began its work by conducting interviews, doing ...

BPL's Jim Baggett Receives 2022 Marvin Yeomans Whiting Award as State's Top Archivist Birmingham Public Library Blog Birmingham, Alabama – Jim Baggett, longtime archivist for the ... He has authored or edited five books on Birmingham and Alabama history, ...

Alabama vs. Auburn: The 10 biggest upsets in the rivalry's history - Saturday Down South Saturday Down South Alabama football has rivalries. And then it has The Rivalry. The Iron Bowl. The biggest one of them all, probably by a few hundred country miles, ...

Adrian woman writes fictional book on 1963 Birmingham church bombing - The Daily Telegram

The Daily Telegram

ADRIAN — Adrian resident Cindi Gray has written a historical fiction book about the 1963 bombing of a Black church in Birmingham, Alabama, ...

Excerpt of 'South to America' by Imani Perry - Harvard Gazette Harvard Gazette - Harvard University Imani Perry goes in search of the heart of the nation in her new book "South to ... Imani Perry returns to Alabama to interview Angela Davis, ...

Birmingham Photo of the Day [83]: Southern & Athletic Clubs in 1908

An interesting book related to early Birmingham is the 1908 publication Views of Birmingham. Its full title gives a hint of its purpose: Views of Birmingham, Alabama with a Glimpse at some of the Natural Resources of the Birmingham District and the Industries Based thereon. The 64 page book has pages of photos devoted to various buildings such as Union Station, Masonic Temple and St. Vincent Hospital;  street scenes like "Third Avenue at Night", the city water works and various impressive mansions. The publisher was Isidore Newman and Son, bankers in New York and New Orleans. Newman was the owner of street railways in Birmingham and other cities, so this was a natural promotional effort.

I've done blog posts with some details on several of these photos, such as the Morris Hotel, Powell School, the U.S. Weather Bureau building, the Birmingham Water Works Shades Mountain filtration plant and two of the mansions in Glen Iris Park. This one continues that series.

The Views photograph below shows the buildings of two organizations, the Southern and Birmingham Athletic Clubs. The Southern was a private gentleman's club founded as the Komus Club in 1886. This building opened in 1901; the BhamWiki entry has a photo of the club's interior. The organization folded in 1931 during the Great Depression. The Birmingham Red Cross occupied the building from 1943 until 1967, when it was demolished. The AmSouth-Sonat building was constructed on the site. 

Founded in 1886, the Birmingham Athletic Club opened the three story building shown in 1903. The interior, which included a basement, featured everything from a rifle range and bowling alley to a gymnasium and library. In 1892 the BAC put together a football team, and played the new University of Alabama team on November 12 at Lakeview Park. Alabama managed one 4-point touchdown, but BAC founder Joseph Ross kicked a 65-yard, 5-point field goal for the win. Scoring for U.S. football was a bit different at that time. 

In 1925 the BAC constructed a ten story headquarters elsewhere and sold this building to a local Ku Klux Klan organization. The Klan never occupied it and sold it to the YMCA. Later tenants included the YWCA and the Dixie-Carlton Hotel. The structure was demolished in 1955 for a parking lot. 

You can download a PDF of this book at the Internet Archive. A Flickr site has all the pages. 

Below I've included another photo from 1906 and a color postcard of these two buildings. 

Source: BhamWiki

Detroit Publishing Company, ca. 1906

Source: Library of Congress

Color postcard, ca. 1930

SOURCE: Troy University Libraries via Alabama Mosaic

Alabama History & Culture News: November 14 edition

 

Here's the latest batch of links to just-published Alabama history and culture articles. Most of these items are from newspapers, with others from magazines and TV and radio station websites. Some articles may be behind a paywall. Enjoy!

Inspired by James Dean, former Alabama resident's podcast helps keep Hollywood history alive AL.com Inspired by James Dean, former Alabama resident's podcast helps keep Hollywood history alive. Updated: Nov. 13, 2022, 10:53 a.m. |; Published: Nov ...

Wagarville Baptist Church celebrates 75th anniversary The Alabama Baptist Jerrol Hare (right) of the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission presents a certificate to Bill Dortch (center) and deacon chair Ed Robinson ...

Auburn research project allowing world to see inside USS Drum submarine like never before Auburn University Liu and USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park Curator Shea McLean took a trip ... back to 2007 to continue to build a living history in Mobile Bay.

Jeff Cook, a Founder of the Country Band Alabama, Dies at 73 - The New York Times The New York Times Jeff Cook, a founding member of Alabama, one of the most popular and influential bands in the history of country music, died on Monday at his home ...

These two Alabama women served in the U.S. Senate, paving the way for Katie Britt WHNT.com Katie Britt is the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama — but did you know two other women served before her?

Cane Creek Baptist celebrates 150th anniversary The Alabama Baptist Cane Creek Baptist Church, Clanton, celebrated its 150th anniversary Oct. 16 with former pastor Robert Gibson serving as the guest.

Enon Baptist in Morris celebrates 150th anniversary

The Alabama Baptist

It is a good and God-honoring thing to look back at what God has done and be reminded of His faithfulness.” Pastor Zac Reno spoke.

Head of Alabama Folklife Association discusses new podcast and Mobile's lost history

AL.com

Emily Blejwas is the executive director of the Alabama Folklife Association. She is also the author of "The History of Alabama in Fourteen Foods" ...

Nov. 4, 1960: The deadly beating of a Black man in Auburn, and a quick and curious trial Opelika Auburn News The cemetery at Rising Star Church in Tuskegee, Alabama. Adam Sparks / ... In its cemetery, Forney Calhoun is buried in an unmarked grave.

Alabama's Confederate mansions get state funding, distort our history - al.com AL.com State-supported Antebellum house museums give a narrow view of history — one that excuses slavery and excludes Black people.

Oak Hill Cemetery to host first post-pandemic Fall History Tour, Nov. 20 | Bham Now Bham Now Oak Hill Cemetery is bringing back their beloved Fall History Tour this month! #Birmingham #OakHillCemetery #FallHistoryTour #NW.

INTERVIEW: Author of 'Me and My Hero' speaks more on book - WTVM WTVM COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Over 50 years ago, history was made in an Alabama community. 'Rusty' Ryan became the first Black student and football ...

New book out Tuesday from N.K. Jemisin, award-winning author with Mobile ties - al.com

AL.com

“The World We Make,” the latest science-fiction novel from N.K. Jemisin, an award-winning author with Alabama ties, is out Tuesday.

Flynt to discuss new book on Harper Lee | Alabama Mountains Spot On Alabama OAKVILLE - The author of a new book about writer Harper Lee will give a talk at the Jesse Owens Museum on Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. There.

Grant, donations help restore historic church in Wilcox County | The Alabama Baptist The Alabama Baptist Thanks to a grant from the Alabama Baptist Historical Commission, Bear Creek Baptist Church in Wilcox County,

The story of 'Jeffrey,' Alabama's most famous ghost - CBS 42 CBS 42 Alabama storyteller and author Kathryn Tucker Windham celebrates her 90th ... Alabama Ghost Stories and Jeffrey,” which explored Alabama's history ...

Haunting tours through historic Huntsville with the Huntsville Ghost Walk | News - WAAY-TV WAAY-TV A historic tour, with a haunting twist. ... Stout said, "We have the ghost stories but we also have that history, it's seeing parts of Huntsville ...

Unearthing History: Decatur native living paleontological dream - Yahoo News Yahoo News Oct. 30—Excitement filled Drew Gentry's voice as he talked — albeit vaguely — about his latest excavation. "A wife and husband in south Alabama ...