James Walker

James H. Walker (born on February 21, 1931 in Birmingham, Alabama; died March 13, 2007 in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama) was a historian, writer, artist, and educator.

James Walker served in the United States Army during the Korean War, touring Korea and other countries in Southeast Asia as a member of the army orchestra and chorus.

After leaving the army, Walker worked in stage and television production.

In 1948, he was a founding member of the Bessemer Civic Chorale and Ensemble (presently known as the Alabama Civic Chorale.)

He was employed for a time at Southern Research Institute, where he worked as a research artist.

In 1980, Walker founded Art Studios, a private art school, in Birmingham, and there he taught oil painting, water colors, drawing, and sculpting.

Walker was a founding member of The West Jefferson Historical Society and the Bessemer Hall of History, served as chairman of the Jefferson County Bicentennial Commission, and was a member of Jefferson County Historical Commission. While a member of the Jefferson County Historical Commission, he helped design and implement an official county emblem for historic buildings and landmarks. He was an advisor to the Alabama Historical Commission and named Director of the Tuscaloosa Preservation Society.

In 2000, Walker was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Award. in recognition of his contributions to historic preservation.

Walker authored numerous books, many that focused on the history of western Jefferson County. During 2001 and 2001, Walker was a columnist for The Western Star. One hundred of those columns was published in book form as ''Things Remembered!... Stories About Western Jefferson County, Alabama''.

Publications

• Walker, James H. and Curren, Robert (1997) Those Gallant Men of the Twenty-Eighth Alabama Confederate Infantry Regiment. Heritage Books. ISBN 0788407406
• Walker, James H. (2001) Things... Remembered!... Stories About Western Jefferson County, Alabama. Instant Heirloom Books. ISBN 0963319760
• Walker, James H. (1992) Roupes Valley. Instant Heirloom Books. ASIN 096331971X
• Walker, James H. (1984) Tombstones Along the Old Huntsville Road. Instant Heirloom Books. ASIN B0006EH9FY
• Walker, James H. (1993) The Struggle and the Joy: An American Coal Town, Piper, Alabama. Birmingham Public Library Press. ISBN 0963319728

References

• Walker, James H. (2001) "Things... Remembered!... Stories About Western Jefferson County, Alabama (Forward by Mike Oakley)

External links

• Find A Grave website

[[Category:Artists}

Artist, Educator, Historian. A stint at the University of Alabama gave him a basic foundation in theatrical productions and art. Before he could graduate, he entered the U.S. Army during the Korean War; there he attended the Army School of Music before touring the Far East with his orchestra and chorus. He received a Military Commendation for Meritorious Service Award.

When he finally returned to the University of Alabama, it was to get his degree in Historic House Restoration. As a civilian he could not set aside his musical experiences; he studied with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, and took part in stage and television productions. He was a founding member of the Bessemer Civic Chorale and Ensemble (today known as the Alabama Civic Chorale). Neither could he forget his basic art training. He became a technical and aeronautical illustrator, then a research artist for Southern Research Institute. He worked in and taught oils, water colors and sculpting. He founded Art Studios in Birmingham in 1980 as a private art school, a place where he regularly taught. He continued educating others at the Birmingham Museum of Art, teaching painting, drawing and sculpting there. He was awarded the Sargent Medal from the American Society of Portrait Artists.
The writing art did not elude him; he authored books (Those Gallant Men, Things Remembered, and others), plays ("A Seed in the Summer Soil" and "Tales from Times Past"), and a newspaper column in The Western Star. Despite all those accomplishments, some of which seem to build upon others, his greatest achievements may have been in local history. He was a founder of The West Jefferson County Historical Society, and the Bessemer Hall of History. He was active in creating Tannehill State Park, and the Sloss Furnace. He was chosen Chairman of the Jefferson County Bicentennial Commission. He was an active member of the Jefferson County Historical Commission, heping design and implement usage of an official county emblem for historic buildings and places. He was selected as advisor to the Alabama Hitorical Commission. He was named Director of the Tuscaloosa Preservation Society, placing him in the midst of preservation efforts of private and public structures. He received the Thomas Jefferson Award in 2000, recognizing his achievements in historic preservation. His childhood days included membership in the Boy Scouts of America at age 11; his adult life saw him serving the Boy Scouts in multiple ways. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and several genealogical groups. He was also a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.