Bessemer Hall of History: Difference between revisions
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The '''Bessemer Hall of History''' is the official museum | The '''Bessemer Hall of History''' is the official museum of the history of [[Bessemer]]. | ||
The museum was founded in [[1969]] by the [[Bessemer Junior Service League]] and originally housed in the basement of the old [[Bessemer Post Office]], which now houses [[Bessemer Public Library]]. | |||
In [[1985]] the museum moved to the [[1916]] [[Alabama Great Southern Railroad|Alabama Great Southern]] [[Alabama Great Southern Depot|Depot]] at 1901–1905 [[Alabama Avenue]], which was renovated by the City for the museum. The official rededication was held on the occasion of the [[Bessemer Centennial]] in [[1987]]. The current director is [[Christopher Eiland]], who took the position in [[2005]]. | |||
In [[2001]] the museum won a $76,000 grant from the [[Alabama Department of Transportation]] to fund repairs and refurbishment to the train depot. The project was delayed as money was raised for architectural plans and additional funding was secured from the [[Bessemer City Council]]. The disbursement of the state grant was at risk until Bessemer agreed to provide an additional $18,500 to cover cost increases since the plan was first proposed. | |||
Entry to the museum is free and operating hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. It attracts about 2,000 visitors per year. | |||
==Exhibits== | |||
===Indian artifacts=== | |||
* Items excavated from [[Indian mounds]] in the Bessemer area | |||
===Civil War memorabilia=== | |||
* Materials from the [[28th Alabama Regiment]] | |||
* An original Confederate battle flag | |||
===Railroad history=== | |||
* A model railroad exhibit showing a recreation of historic Bessemer, housed in a Pullman standard boxcar. (Constructed by the [[Wrecking Crew]]). | |||
===Miscellaneous=== | |||
* A 1928 American LaFrance fire truck used in Birmingham's [[Fire Station #19]], in [[Vestavia Hills]], as a parade vehicle for [[University of Alabama|UA]]'s [[Phi Sigma Kappa]] fraternity, and as the centerpiece of a short-lived [[Morris Avenue]] bar. | |||
* A typewriter that belonged to Adolf Hitler. | |||
* [[Hazel the Mummy]], the purported mummified remains of murderer Hazel Farris. | |||
==Curators== | |||
* [[Mabel Waites]] | |||
* [[John Vines]] | |||
* [[Dominga Toner]] | |||
* [[Christopher Eiland]] | |||
==References== | |||
* Gordon, Robert K. (June 4, 2008) "Bessemer council OKs $18,500 to meet grant for renovation of Bessemer Hall of History." {{BN}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.bhamrails.info/bess_hall_hist.htm | * [http://bessemerhallofhistory.blogspot.com/ Bessemer Hall of History] at blogspot.com | ||
* [https://www.facebook.com/BessemerHallofHistory/ Bessemer Hall of History] at Facebook.com | |||
* [http://www.bhamrails.info/bess_hall_hist/bess_hall_hist_02.htm Bessemer Hall of History] at [[Bhamrails]] | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:History museums]] | ||
[[Category:Bessemer]] | [[Category:Bessemer]] | ||
[[Category:Alabama Avenue]] | |||
[[Category:1969 establishments]] | |||
Latest revision as of 18:12, 11 March 2021
The Bessemer Hall of History is the official museum of the history of Bessemer.
The museum was founded in 1969 by the Bessemer Junior Service League and originally housed in the basement of the old Bessemer Post Office, which now houses Bessemer Public Library.
In 1985 the museum moved to the 1916 Alabama Great Southern Depot at 1901–1905 Alabama Avenue, which was renovated by the City for the museum. The official rededication was held on the occasion of the Bessemer Centennial in 1987. The current director is Christopher Eiland, who took the position in 2005.
In 2001 the museum won a $76,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation to fund repairs and refurbishment to the train depot. The project was delayed as money was raised for architectural plans and additional funding was secured from the Bessemer City Council. The disbursement of the state grant was at risk until Bessemer agreed to provide an additional $18,500 to cover cost increases since the plan was first proposed.
Entry to the museum is free and operating hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. It attracts about 2,000 visitors per year.
Exhibits
Indian artifacts
- Items excavated from Indian mounds in the Bessemer area
Civil War memorabilia
- Materials from the 28th Alabama Regiment
- An original Confederate battle flag
Railroad history
- A model railroad exhibit showing a recreation of historic Bessemer, housed in a Pullman standard boxcar. (Constructed by the Wrecking Crew).
Miscellaneous
- A 1928 American LaFrance fire truck used in Birmingham's Fire Station #19, in Vestavia Hills, as a parade vehicle for UA's Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, and as the centerpiece of a short-lived Morris Avenue bar.
- A typewriter that belonged to Adolf Hitler.
- Hazel the Mummy, the purported mummified remains of murderer Hazel Farris.
Curators
References
- Gordon, Robert K. (June 4, 2008) "Bessemer council OKs $18,500 to meet grant for renovation of Bessemer Hall of History." The Birmingham News
External links
- Bessemer Hall of History at blogspot.com
- Bessemer Hall of History at Facebook.com
- Bessemer Hall of History at Bhamrails