Birmingham History Center

Transcription

1 In this Issue Page 2 Birmingham History Center Volume 3, Number 4 July 1, 2013 Letter from the Director Featured New Artifact Page 3 On Exhibit New South Page 4 Member Day Page 5 Announcements 1963 Exhibit Page 6 Enduring Business: Edwards Chevrolet Page 7 Roadshow- Photos To join our list send us an at: info@birminghamhistorycenter.org 1731 First Avenue North, Suite 120, Birmingham, AL Tel Website -

2 Birmingham History Center Newsletter Page 2 Letter from the Director/Jerry Desmond So much going on, so little room to crow about it. Our second annual Birmingham Memorabilia Roadshow was a success. Many iitems were examined by our experts, Patrick Cather, Jackie Felkins, Graham Boettcher, Steve Gilmer and Gerald Watkins. My favorite artifact was a nickel-plated 1902 U.S. Army cavalry saber made by Horstmann of Philadelphia. By 1902, cavalry sabers were purely ornamental and rarely used in combat. Our 1963: The Year Everything Changed exhibit has been traveling across the city. It spent three weeks at the Harbert Center and two weeks, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to rave reviews in May and June. See page five for information about where it will be in July and August. It will return to the History Center on September 16 th, in time for the American Association of State and Local History s annual convention being held here in Birmingham. The History Center will be hosting two bus tours of the city during that four day meeting. Finally, the History Center has been featured in two TV spots for the Daytime Alabama show on WVTI-TV, Alabama s 13. Go to the following websites to view these interviews: Featured New Artifact This top hat and case belonged to Paschal Green Shook, cofounder of the Shook and Fletcher Supply Company (1902). Born into the iron business, Shook over his lifetime made great contributions to the life and progress of Alabama. He served on the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, the Birmingham Community Chest, the Birmingham Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Jefferson County Tuberculosis Sanitarium. Both Birmingham-Southern College and Howard College awarded him honorary degrees in The Knox Hat Company was a well-known maker of both men s and women s hats. The company was established as a hat store, Knox the Hatter, by immigrant Charles Knox in 1838 in New York City. Unfortunately, like many other hat makers, the Knox Company did not survive the 1960s, the era when wearing a hat was no longer necessary in order to be well dressed.

3 Birmingham History Center Newsletter Page 3 On Exhibit The New South Birminghamians have never been shy about selfpromotion as evidenced by the latest All-American City campaign. This The New South newspaper cover on exhibit at the History Center is from The map suggests that Birmingham is at the center of the southern states, leading the area in industrial development. John DuBose in his book, Jefferson County and Birmingham, Alabama (1887) gives the following description of the The New South newspaper: Events of May Associated Press photographer Bill Hudson s photo of Parker High School sophomore Walter Gadsden, Birmingham police officer Dick Middleton and Leo, the German shepherd police dog,caused a sensation, shifting national and international opinion to the side of the civil rights movement. This is an illustrated industrial journal, taking rank in size, mechanical execution, editorial vigor and circulation The New South newspaper cover, 1887 with the best in its class in the United States. The current issue (1887) is fifty thousand copies. Into every part of the United States and Canada it goes, and is greeted with applause. Mining, manufacturing, and agriculture are its specialties, with full reports of the general growth of Birmingham. The illustrations of The New South are unsurpassed in correctness of outline and clearness of perspective. Every issue contains a bird s-eye view of Birmingham covering two pages. The paper used is of the best and the typography is perfect. To represent the marvelous natural resources of Birmingham and Jefferson County, and the State of Alabama, and to demonstrate to capital and labor in every part of the Union the advantages of residence here is the work, well done, of The New South.

4 Birmingham History Center Newsletter Page 4 Member Day is July 20, 2013 Don t Forget It s Free Admission Info: As a way of thanking members and supporters of arts and culture in the Birmingham region, 18 area attractions (including the Birmingham History Center) will host a special day of free admission and family-friendly activities for members of any other participating attraction. One valid membership card and/or postcard invitation admits 2 adults and up to 4 children into any of the 18 participating venues all day long. NOT ALREADY A MEMBER?? Want to experience all benefits of Member Day but not already a member/season ticket holder of one of the participating organizations? It's NOT too late! Become a member/season ticket holder of a participating Member Day 2013 cultural organization on or before July 20 and get Member Day postcard which will serve as your access ticket on this special day. General Day & Time Info: Venues will be open during their customary Saturday hours. Special activities will be going on throughout the day at various locations. Saturday, July 20, 2013: 10 am 4:00 pm. For more information go to the following website:

5 Birmingham History Center Newsletter Page 5 Announcement: We Need More Members - We Need Your Support Join Now for Member Day Benefits What visitors are saying about the History Center: Very nice, lots of great history Rick Lowrey, Minnesota Great display of information and graphics Ashley Williams, Auburn Thank you for displaying the fascinating, rich, difficult history of this city Carrie Supple, Birmingham Thank you for showing so much of Birmingham s history we didn t know, beautifully displayed Leila Welch, Inverness This tour was amazing Shawn Hunt, Horizons School So much information, very nice display, I am glad to know the museum is here Ella Robinson, Pleasant Grove Nicely done museum, glad you are able to keep this open and running Julie Acker, Mississippi Thank you for taking the time to introduce us to your museum and for looking up my father s old address, we really enjoyed our visit Bill and Carol Arnerick, California Wish more people knew about this wonderful place Margaret Hardeman, Birmingham Very informative, kids loved it Christie Dedman, Birmingham Absolutely thrilling, loved it Pat Millhouse, Birmingham Well laid out, highlights not to miss Mandy Greenberg, New York This is great! Joe Kennedy, Birmingham Did not know Birmingham had such history. Connie Yen, Birmingham Tell a Friend about the History Center. Call Now to Join! : The Year Everything Changed Traveling Exhibit Exhibit Schedule View the exhibit at the following locations June 24 July 19 Birmingham History Center July 20 Birmingham Museum of Art (Member Day) July 22 August 12 Sterne Library, UAB August 12 August 26 Alabama Theatre 1963 Exhibit at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens August 26 September 16 Alabama Power Company Headquarters

6 Birmingham History Center Newsletter Page 6 Edwards Chevrolet 1916 This Enduring Business was founded as the Edwards Motor Company at st Street South downtown in 1916 by Gadsden native William Sterling Edwards, Jr. In the early years, the company was responsible for final assembly, taking delivery of frames and bodies separately by rail. The company survived the depression and World War II shortages by focusing on its repair service. In 1944, it relocated its main showroom to 1400 Third Avenue North, where its headquarters remains to this day. It changed its name to Edwards Chevrolet in the 1950s. Sterling's son, Leon Edwards, took over ownership in A second location, formerly operating as Edwards Chevrolet East at 5600 Oporto Madrid Boulevard, moved to U.S. Highway 280 across from The Village at Lee Branch in The current manager for both locations is Lee Edwards, Leon's son. Edwards Chevrolet as it appeared in This Edition s Featured Enduring Business Honoring area companies that have been in business for at least 75 years. Sterling Edwards (right) in car with Louis Chevrolet, founder of Chevrolet Motors, 1916.

7 Birmingham History Center Newsletter Page 7 The Second Annual Birmingham Memorabilia Roadshow was held on June 8 th. It was a great success with many interesting items brought in for evaluation by our expert panelists. See you again in 2014.

8 Birmingham History Center Recently opened in the Spring of 2010, the BHC features exhibitions of historical events of Birmingham and Jefferson County from the 18 th century to the present. Admission charged: $4 adults, $3 seniors and veterans, $2 students, children under 6 free. Visa, Discover, Master Card accepted; tickets available also by phone. Group rates available, free parking. Open 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday Friday, Saturday 10:00 am 4:00 pm. Located at the corner of 18 th Street and First Avenue North in Birmingham at the historic Young and Vann Building. Directions 1731 First Avenue North Birmingham, AL Officers Stamp Dr. Bayard Tynes, Chairman Fox De Funiak, III, Co-President Garland Smith, Co-President Samuel A. Rumore, Jr., Vice-President Alice Williams - Treasurer Board of Directors Bryding Adams William A. Bell, Jr. Harry Bradford Michael Calvert Thomas Carruthers, Jr. Patrick Cather Connie Grund Angela Fisher Hall Wyatt R. Haskell Anne Heppenstall Mary Hubbard Thomas E. Jernigan, Jr. Corey Nixon Terry Oden Dr. Dennis Pappas Erskine Ramsay, II William A. Tharpe Scott Vowell