City to observe Historic Preservation Month with #SavingPlacesHsv campaign
Published on April 27, 2023
It’s that time again. Throughout May, the City of Huntsville will partner with local organizations and businesses to celebrate our community’s unique historic places and heritage.
Join us May 1-31 for Historic Preservation Month, an annual event that promotes the social and economic benefits of historic preservation. Spearheaded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the observance seeks to heighten awareness about the wonderful buildings and places that are part of our shared history.
“By teaming up with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, we hope to inspire discussions about historic preservation, why it’s important and how our community can get involved,” said City Preservation Planner Katie Stamps.
During a news conference April 27, Stamps kicked off Preservation Month with Mayor Tommy Battle, Historic Huntsville Foundation Executive Director Donna Castellano, Huntsville Revisited Founder William Hampton and EarlyWorks Deputy Director Beth Goodwin. The event took place inside the historic Constitution Hall at the Alabama Constitution Hall Park in downtown Huntsville.
This year’s #SavingPlacesHsv campaign will showcase numerous events, blogs and social media posts highlighting activities and opportunities for Preservation Month in May.
“Our Preservation Month events and promotions are designed to bring the community together to remember our past and reflect on our future,” Mayor Battle said. “We hope everyone with an interest in preservation or the history of Huntsville will get involved and contribute to a larger conversation about the importance of saving places.”
A full list of Preservation Month events is below:
Downtown Huntsville Walking Tours
Friday, May 5, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 20, at 10 a.m.
The free Downtown Huntsville Walking Tour brings to life the evolution and history of Huntsville’s downtown commercial district from the City’s earliest settlers to the Space Age and beyond. Attendees will learn about local history, notable citizens and a diverse collection of architectural styles. Central to the tour is how urban renewal impacted Huntsville’s city center and how those changes were a catalyst for national and local preservation movements.
This event will include a bonus tour of “Brick by Brick: The Legacy of Henderson and Daniel Brandon” at Harrison Brothers Hardware led by Historic Huntsville Foundation Executive Director Donna Castellano. The walking tour begins and ends at the historic First National Bank on West Side Square and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Reservations are not required. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome.
Make-N-Take Mother’s Day Cards
Saturday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mother’s Day is almost here – are you ready? Visit Harrison Brothers Hardware to create a Mother’s Day card to remember.
Historic Huntsville Foundation provides the cards and colored pencils; kids provide the imagination for these make-n-take Mother’s Day cards, which feature local artist Christina Wegman’s original sketches of places where Huntsville moms made history!
History Harvest
Saturday, May 13, from 2-3:30 p.m.
Join William Hampton from Huntsville Revisited and the City of Huntsville at the H.C. Blake Art & History Center to share and learn about Huntsville’s Black history. We hope this event will be the first of many opportunities to come together to continue the work of identifying, documenting and recognizing historically significant places and stories connected to Huntsville’s Black community.
Preservation Happy Hour
Thursday, May 18, from 5-6:30 p.m.
If you’re interested in history and preservation and would like to meet and network with like-minded professionals, property owners, advocates and volunteers, come to Baker & Able, the rooftop bar located at 106 Jefferson Hotel, on May 18! This casual event is open to the public and does not require tickets or reservations. Beverages and small plates will be available for purchase.
Huntsville-Madison County Public Library – Career Academy
Each Saturday in May from 1-3 p.m.
Do you know a young person interested in history? Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL) Special Collections is offering a series of workshops featuring activities that will focus on careers that help preserve knowledge and history.
The workshops are ideal for students who work well on their own with mild-to-moderate guidance. Registration is required. You can sign up on the HMCPL calendar or call the Youth Services Department at 256-532-5949.
Get details about the event and other programming here.
We invite residents to participate on social media by sharing their favorite historic places using the hashtag #SavingPlacesHsv. Learn more by following the hashtag #SavingPlacesHsv and visiting HHPC’s Facebook and Instagram.
