Featured

Vendors Wanted for Shelby Iron Works Fall Festival on October 12th

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

If you are interested in being a vendor at the 2019 Fall Festival at the Shelby Iron Works Park, please click on the link below for a copy of the vendor agreement.  Agreements, along with a check for $20, need to be mailed to SCHS, Inc. P.O. Box 457 Columbiana, AL 35051.

Pre-registration is required!!!  Register early for the best location.  All vendors must be set up by 8 a.m. on the day of the event.  Arrival time is 6 a.m.  The festival lasts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine!  No refunds.

No electricity available.  No food vendor trucks.  Small baked goods, candies, jams and jellies, and canned items will be allowed.

***We do not promise exclusivity to any vendor for any product or product line, so if you sell a product line such as Scentsy, Advocare, LulaRoe, Color Street, or other similar items, please realize there may be other vendors selling the same thing.

Questions regrading the event should be directed to Jennifer Maier.  She can be reached at 205-567-0930, or by email at schs1854@bellsouth.net.

Fall Festival Vendor Agreement 2019

Museum & Archives Closed Until March 31st

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

The Shelby County Museum & Archives will be closed until March 31, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If there is a need to extend that closure beyond March 31st, we will communicate that information to the public.  To stay up to date on museum and archives news, please follow us on Facebook at Shelby County Museum & Archives.

Thank you,

Jennifer Maier

Cawaco RC&D Assists Shelby Iron Works Park In Replacing HVAC Units

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

Sometimes you need a little help from your friends.  Such was the case for the Shelby Iron Works Park when we were recently faced with the dilemma of replacing HVAC units for our Country Store and our Museum.  One unit at the County Store was completely destroyed by vandalism in December 2018.  The other unit at the museum worked sporadically for a while, and then finally gave out.

Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. came to our rescue and provided funding for the purchase of two new units.

“Without the assistance of Cawaco, the purchase of the new HVAC units would have created a financial strain for the park,” said Jennifer Maier, Executive Director of the park.  “We work hard throughout the year to raise money for park improvement.  We want that money to go to park development projects that benefit the community.  Thanks to CAWACO for stepping in and helping us out.  The HVAC units will make our buildings pleasant for visitors all year long.”

Continue reading “Cawaco RC&D Assists Shelby Iron Works Park In Replacing HVAC Units” →

Photo Albums: How We Shared Precious Images Before The Days Of Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

We are lucky to have in our collection a fabulous old photo album of the Friedberger family, early residents of Shelby County. The album was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Norman Lefkovitz.

Continue reading “Photo Albums: How We Shared Precious Images Before The Days Of Facebook, Twitter & Instagram” →

Mark Your Calendars For The Shelby Iron Works Spring Car Show On April 27th

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

The much-anticipated annual car show has been scheduled for Saturday, April 27th at the Shelby Iron Works Park.  Admission is free.  Vehicle registration for the event is $20 and begins at 9 a.m. 

1931 Ford Model A Station Wagon owned by Tim Nettles

Door prize drawings begins at 2 p.m.  Plaques will be given for the top five entries.  There will be a 50/50 drawing plus and money tree and door prizes. 

As always, we will have live music in the background for everyone to enjoy.

While you’re at the park, be sure to tour the museum, country farmhouse and one-room schoolhouse!  The Country Store will be open, and the kitchen will be selling delicious hot dogs and hamburgers.

Swap meet vendors are welcome and can set up near the blacksmith shop. 

For more information, call Tim Brasher (205-669-6856), Jennifer Maier (205-567-0930) or Frank Hebert (205-531-9298). 

Historical Cemetery Walking Tour October 6th

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

The Shelby County Museum & Archives is excited to present the 2018 Historical Cemetery Walking Tour at the Columbiana City Cemetery on Saturday, October 6th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Participants will enjoy a lantern-lit tour with a guide that will take them to graves of people interred at the cemetery. Actors will then provide a glimpse into the life of the deceased. Expect to hear intriguing stories that are unique to the life of the person being depicted. Some of their stories you may find funny, and others you may find heart-wrenchingly sad.

Sunset is at 6:25 p.m. so plan to attend early if you feel uncomfortable walking in low light conditions. However, there will be adequate lighting provided by lanterns, candles and flashlights.

This year we are limiting the number of ticket sales to 300 because we feel this is the largest amount of people we can serve during the two hour event. It is important to us that everyone has a great experience, and that the tour groups are a manageable size. So, don’t delay on purchasing your ticket. 250 tickets will be available through Eventbrite, and 50 tickets available for purchase at the museum & archives.

To purchase tickets, click here!

 

School Census Records Available At Shelby County Museum & Archives

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

Are you trying to build your family tree or locate a lost relative? The Shelby County Museum & Archives can probably help you out.

Thanks to a timely donation from the Shelby County Board of Education and the efforts of museum & archives staff and volunteers, Shelby County, Alabama school census booklets and school census cards are now available in a searchable format at the Shelby County Museum & Archives in Columbiana.

School census booklets contain parent or guardian name; student’s given name; age; and race. The booklets do not list street addresses.  The booklets cover the years 1912, 1916, 1920, and 1924 for each of the county’s school districts.

Census cards are much more detailed than the census booklets.  Each family card contains for parents: last, first, middle names; mailing address; country of birth; whether living or deceased; whether or not the person can read and write; citizenship status; and occupation code. Continue reading “School Census Records Available At Shelby County Museum & Archives” →

A Month Late, But Big News All The Same

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

Sometimes when things are moving so fast you look back and realize you failed to do something very important.  Such is the case with this post.  Earlier today (actually just a few minutes ago) I posted on how great the pancake breakfast was at the Shelby Iron Works Parks on July 7th.  After posting, I realized that I had neglected to post an important update (it was sitting in draft form waiting to be published) that would explain why I was writing about an event at the Shelby Iron Works Park.  So, here is the content of that post, which I hope will explain why I’m posting about the park: Continue reading “A Month Late, But Big News All The Same” →

Jim Lewis To Speak At August Historical Society Meeting

Published on by shelbycountymuseum

Herbert James (Jim) Lewis will speak at the upcoming meeting of the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. on Sunday, August 5th at 2 p.m. at the Shelby County Museum & Archives.  Jim will discuss his new book, “Alabama Founders: Fourteen Political and Military Leaders Who Shaped the State.”  He will have copies of his book to purchase, as well as copies of his book “Lost Capitals of Alabama.”  We hope you will be able to join us!  A reception and light refreshments will follow!