Jefferson County Historical Commission

The Jefferson County Historical Commission is an organization, established in 1971 by the Alabama legislature to direct the documentation and historical preservation of buildings and sites in Jefferson County. The Commission serves as an informational resource for owners, developers and the public; administers the county's historical marker program and the annual "Jefferson Awards" for achievements in preservation; and sponsors publications on Jefferson County history. The Commission is not a grant-awarding body.

The Commission currently uses a residence at 4700 7th Court South in East Avondale as its business address. It previously occupied a suite of the 5th floor of the Landmark Center at 2100 1st Avenue North in downtown Birmingham.

Jefferson County Historical Commission markers are shield-shaped enameled metal signs bearing the Seal of Jefferson County, the name of the historic structure or site, and an identification number. Markers are issued based on applications received by the commission. The application establishes the historical significance of the structure or site, gives information about the original owner or occupant and details major changes made over time that might compromise its historic status. A $100 fee accompanies the application to pay for processing and for the cost of the plaque.

Commissioners

The Commission consists six members appointed by the Jefferson County Commission and six appointed by the City of Birmingham.

• 2023: Carl Marbury (chair), Cathy Adams (vice chair), André Natta (treasurer), Michael Malone (secretary), Linda Nelson (executive secretary)
• 2008: Linda Nelson (chair), Jim Reed (vice-chair), David Fleming (treasurer), Merdith Byram (secretary), Gary Dobbs, Lillie Fincher, Samuel Frazier, Jacqueline Hambrick, Edna Blue Johnson, Carl Marbury, Samuel Rumore, and Louise Ayer Tommie.

Jefferson Award winners

2011

• Fred Hunter, "Absolutely Alabama"
• Merdith M. Byram, Jefferson County Historical Commission
• Joseph Baker III, I Believe in Birmingham

2010

• Cheryl Morgan, Auburn Center for Architecture and Urban Studies
• Karen Utz, Sloss Furnaces
• Andrew Capstickdale, Jamie Cawood and Andrew Morrow, Woodlawn Masonic Lodge

2009

• Bessemer Hall of History
• Brooke and Daniel Coleman, Theodore Swann residence
• Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama, Camp Coleman
• Buddy Mewbourne, county historian

2008

• William F. and Joan McCoy Edmonds, Independent Presbyterian Church, An Enduring Ministry
• Gary Richardson and Bob Friedman, Birmingham Black Radio Museum
• Bernard and Margie Fay Crawford, county historians
• Troy Post, Bessemer Industrial Development Board
• Sam Rumore, Jr, Jefferson County Historical Commission

2007

• Patricia Hall, Leeds historian
• The Koikos family, Bright Star Restaurant
• Clarke Stallworth, Birmingham Post, Post-Herald and News reporter, columnist and editor
• Thomas Wilder, Bethel Baptist Church

2006

• Marvin Y. Whiting
• Carole and Rodger Smitherman
• Clay Legacy Association
• Wiggins Law Firm
• Walter Bryant
• Rosedale Community Development Corporation

2005

• Michael Calvert (Operation New Birmingham)
• June Culbreth (Leeds historian)
• Penny Cunningham
• Larry Langford, (Jefferson County Commission)

2004

• Glenn Feldman
• Helen Shores Lee
• Louise Ayer Tommie
• Vulcan Park Foundation

2003

• Oak Hill Memorial Association (Oak Hill Cemetery)
• Jothan Callins (Jazz historian)
• Cathy Adams (Redmont Park Historic District)

2002

• Valerie Abbott (Birmingham City Council)
• Charles Parrish
• John Vines
• Bobby Wilson

2001

• Jonathan Bass
• Cathy Crenshaw (Sloss Real Estate)
• Otis Dismuke
• Jane Mulkin
• Pat Boyd Rumore

2000

• Bernard Kincaid
• Leeds Historical Society
• Jimmy and Martha Taylor
• James Walker
• Jim Hardin family

Publications

• Satterfield, Carolyn Green (1976) Historic Sites of Jefferson County, Alabama. Birmingham: Jefferson County Historical Commission/Gray Printing Company

• Hassinger, Bernice Shield (1978) Henderson Steel: Birmingham's First Steel Birmingham: Bernice Hassinger in cooperation with the Jefferson County Historical Commission.
• Birmingham Magazine. (1979) Pioneers of Greater Birmingham. Birmingham: Jefferson County Historical Commission.
• Bennett, James R. (1986) Old Tannehill: A History of the Pioneer Ironworks in Roupes Valley, 1829-1865. Birmingham: Jefferson County Historical Commission. ISBN 0961725710
• Jefferson County Historical Commission. (1998) Birmingham and Jefferson County, Alabama. Images of America Series. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0752413465

External link

• Jefferson County Historical Commission website

References

• Adams, Cathy (February 2008) "Heralds of History: The story behind those historical markers" Portico Magazine. pp. 26-29