The Wilcox Historical Society strives to preserve, promote and celebrate the history of Wilcox County, Alabama. Call 334-682-4355 for more information.
The Wilcox Historical Society was founded in the late 1960's, with the initial goal to save and restore the Wilcox Female Institute. Our goal as a society continues to be to preserve the history of this region and to act in some regard as a clearing house and reference source to people searching for genealogical information. Our local Wilcox County Public Library is an excellent source of history
information. It is located in the courthouse - 100 Broad Street, Camden. President: Lance Britt (256) 975-7616
VP/Programs Chairperson: Garland Cook Smith
Secretary: Jane Shelton Dale
Treasurer: Mary Margaret Fife Kyser
Curator: LaJunta Selsor "Pie" Malone
Editor and Social Media Manager: Martha Grimes Lampkin
WHS Membership Dues should be mailed to:
WHS Treasurer
PO Box 464
Camden, AL 36726
$25 per person
$30 per couple
$250 per person lifetime membership
$300 per couple lifetime membership
If you would like to join our Strategic Planning Committee, to develop our Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan; our Museum Planning Committee; or our Tour of Homes Committee - please contact us. The Wilcox Female Institute is available for special occasions, family reunions, meetings, and functions. Please contact Curator Pie Malone at (334) 682-4592.
Operating as usual
Christmas Greetings from our homes to yours! 🎄Enjoy a few holiday photos from three of the homes featured on our 2023 Tour of Homes in Pine Apple - Camellia Manor, c. 1930, Mockingbird House, c. 1887 and Greenleaves, c. 1854.
🎅You know a Tour Ticket is on everyone's wish list! Hint, Hint.
Click here to purchase: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilcox-historical-society-tour-of-homes-tickets-467133257147
Mockingbird House
Enjoy more photos from Christmas in Furman! 🌟
Furman Historical Society Bethsaida Baptist Church
(photos courtesy of Don Donald and Martha Grimes Lampkin)
Under the Christmas tree🎄at the Liddell's home in 1961 - dolls, stuffed toys🧸, a trampoline, a manger scene made by Mayor Liddell and matching bathrobes for the Liddell sisters!
Clipping from 28 December 1961, Wilcox Progressive Era
What a wonderful night in Furman - an abundance of Christmas spirt! THANK YOU to the Bethsaida Carolers, members of the Bethsaida Baptist Church, residents of Furman, pianist Bee Till as well as special musical guests from Harvest Arts, LLC! 🌠
Beautiful Gainesridge in Camden all decked out for Christmas! Thanks for the post .andress.3 !
(Be sure to scroll to the end and see one of Alabama’s most well known desserts - a must to try!)
🎄
Shop local! The Brittany House Antiques at Oak Hill has a great gift selection. 🎁
Great advice Birmingham Home & Garden! Experiences make the BEST gifts! Purchase your tickets to our 2023 Tour of Homes now!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilcox-historical-society-tour-of-homes-tickets-467133257147 🎁🎁🎁
These are the gifts you can't put a bow on - experiences and opportunities to enjoy with family and friends, making memories that will last a lifetime.
Starting on page 71 of our Nov/Dec issue you'll find 4 experiences worth gifting to yourself and others.
Whether you want to give the gift of relaxation or group bonding time Gunn Dermatology, Eufaula Pilgrimage: Alabama's Oldest Tour of Homes, PCH Hotels & Resorts, and Wilcox Historical Society have you covered!
Click the link below to purchase your copy of our Holiday issue.
https://shoppmtpub.com/collections/birmingham-home-garden/products/bhg-nov-dec-2022
📷: Eufaula Pilgrimage:
Time for Lee Peacock's Flashback 〽️ for Wilcox County!
http://leepeacock2010.blogspot.com/2022/12/wilcox-county-alabama-news-flashback.html
Governor Bibb Graves and wife, Dixie. 85 YEARS AGO DEC. 9, 1937 Death Claims J.D. Watts: J.D. Watts Sr., 53 years old, died at his home in C...
Broken Arrow 🏹- located near Sunny South in the western area of Wilcox County was built circa 1830 by the Vaughan family, one of the earliest families to settle the county. This simple one story cottage constructed of heart pine as well as the barn and cabin and 7.79 acres were donated to the WHS in 2017.
We continued the life estate agreement made in 1966 from the Fred Vaughn Trust with Mrs. Pearlie Smith until her death in December 2021. The deed to the WHS stipulated that the home must remain on the property assuring that this historic property will be preserved.
We are offering this property for sale at a price of $72,500. The property will be available for inspection after January 3, 2023. Please let us know if you are interested in more information and photos of this property. PM or email us with any questions! 📬
Don't forget about Christmas in Furman, Sunday, December 18th! 🌠
Don't miss Christmas in Furman with musical guest, the Harvest Arts Quartet, this Sunday, December 18th at Bethsaida Baptist Church!
Thank you Victoria Magazine for the post highlighting beautiful Wakefield in Furman, Alabama! 🎄
https://www.facebook.com/victoriamagazinebliss/photos/a.355548787796202/8826684690682527/
Beside the gentlemen’s parlor at Wakefield, the well-stocked library brims with hundreds of volumes, many pertaining to the medical field; homeowner Dr. Sylvia Burson Rushing is the third generation of doctors in the Burson family. The original gilt pier mirror with bronze girandole is framed with garland and adorned with a wreath made of fresh greenery. Discover more of this holiday home at https://bit.ly/3UnEsN1.
Save the Date to enjoy music 🎶 from the Harvest Arts quintet - Sunday, December 18th at 6:30PM at historic Bethsaida Baptist Church in Furman! Furman will be hosting their annual driving tour of lighted homes and churches as well as the Candlelight 🕯Service at Bethsaida. Come join us as we celebrate this joyous season!
No tickets required for this event - sponsored by Bethsaida Baptist Church.
Merry Christmas from Magnolia Glen! What a fun afternoon was had by all at the annual WHS Christmas Open House. Graciously hosted by Lance Britt of The Brittany House Antiques at Oak Hill we all enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting new ones, delicious refreshments and the gorgeous Christmas decorations! 🎄
Thanks for hosting us Lance! Thanks to Jackie Sharpe of Capell House at Pebble Hill for catering and for everyone that helped serve and decorate at Magnolia Glen in Furman.
Congratulations to Lance Britt, owner of The Brittany House Antiques at Oak Hill for this gorgeous tree decorated at Wakefield being included in Victoria Magazine's TOP 10 Favorite Trees!!! 🎄
"Looking back over Victoria’s rich tradition of holiday radiance, we present ten of our favorite Christmas trees gleaned from the magazine’s pages. Prepare to be enchanted by a splendorous array—tabletop and traditional, glittering and simply charming—at https://bit.ly/3l5eDCx. Which of these evergreen symbols would you like to see in your home?"
In honor of Victoria ’s tenth anniversary, we present ten of our favorite trees for Christmas gleaned from the magazine’s pages over the past decade.
Members of the Wilcox Historical Society and guests are invited to the annual Christmas Open House 🎄at Magnolia Glen - the Palmer-Barlow-Britt Home in Furman. Come enjoy fellowship and refreshments on Saturday, December 3 from 2-4PM.
Magnolia Glen, circa 1833, was featured in Victoria Magazine's 2020 Christmas issue and was the featured home of the 2021 New Orleans Antique Forum. It has been featured on numerous Wilcox Historical Society homes tours and is simply breathtaking decorated for the Christmas season. 🎄
We hope to see you there! ✨
Elephants 🐘 and bears 🐻 and tigers 🐅 oh my! Time for the Thursday throwback from Lee Peacock!
Today marks the first Thursday of the month, so it’s time to take another trip back down memory lane for a look at some of the interesting t...
Prepare yourself! 📢 Only 1️⃣ day to go! Tickets to see Lady Carnarvon on March 24th and the 2023 Tour of Homes in Pine Apple on March 25th are going on sale tomorrow!!!
Review the ticket packages now on Eventbrite.com. And be ready to place your order! 📲
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilcox-historical-society-tour-of-homes-tickets-467133257147
A message from Highclere Castle!
Tickets available on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1st for the Wilcox Historical Society's 2023 Tour of Homes in Pine Apple. 🎫
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilcox-historical-society-tour-of-homes-tickets-467133257147
Only 3 days to go!!! Ticket packages available to purchase December 1st on Eventbrite.com for our 2023 Tour of Homes in Pine Apple!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilcox-historical-society-tour-of-homes-tickets-467133257147
Our very special guest speaker on Friday, March 24th, is Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle. Ticket packages available include the Royal Package, the Golden Package, the Highclere Package and the Tour Package. 🎫
Only 4 days left until tickets go on sale for the 2023 Tour of Homes featuring our very special speaker, Lady Carnarvon!
The Wilcox Historical Society and Lady Carnarvon offer a day full of royal experiences on Friday, March 24th! From a lovely luncheon to an exclusive champagne event and conversation to a Welcome Reception - you will not want to miss a moment of Lady Carnarvon's first visit to Alabama. 👑
Tickets go on sale on eventbrite.com on Thursday, December 1st!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilcox-historical-society-tour-of-homes-tickets-467133257147
5, five, cinq, cinque, pénte, cinco, fem, 5️⃣ more days until tickets go on sale for the 2023 Tour of Homes featuring our special guest speaker, Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle!
Ticket package options will include a private cocktail party, welcome reception or a luncheon with Lady Carnarvon, the Tour of Homes and more!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilcox-historical-society-tour-of-homes-tickets-467133257147 🎫
"Greetings fly fast as we crowd through the door
And under the old roof we gather once more
Just as we did when the youngsters were small;
Mother’s a little bit grayer, that’s all.
Father’s a little bit older, but still
Ready to romp an’ to laugh with a will.
Here we are back at the table again
Tellin’ our stories as women an’ men.
Bowed are our heads for a moment in prayer;
Oh, but we’re grateful an’ glad to be there."
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
(poem by Edgar Albert Guest; Thanksgiving graphic from the Wilcox Progressive Era, November 1913)
Are YOU🕵️ looking for information about our 2023 Tour of Homes in Pine Apple and Lady Carnarvon's first visit to Alabama? Everything you need to know is now online at Eventbrite.com! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wilcox-historical-society-tour-of-homes-tickets-467133257147
Tickets go on sale Thursday, December 1st! 🎫
In 1913 a Wilcox County man was severely injured in 'last great steamboat accident on the rivers of Alabama' - read all about it in Lee Peacock's latest blog post ⬇️
https://leepeacock2010.blogspot.com/2022/11/wilcox-county-man-severely-injured-in.html
The steamboat James T. Staples. A man from Wilcox County was severely injured in the “last great steamboat accident on the rivers of Alabama...
Enjoy hearing family history and seeing family photos from Lady Carnarvon about her father-in-law and Queen Elizabeth.
Don't miss your chance to meet Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle at our Tour of Homes in Pine Apple on March 24, 2023!
Tickets on sale December 1st on eventbrite.
Highclere Castle shared a post on Instagram: "This corridor gives you a moment to pause as you climb to the top of the red stairs. The photographs are of my father-in-law, the 7th Earl of Carnarvon, and the late Queen Elizabeth II ...
Alabama Fever - the rush to Alabama in the early 1800s. Enjoy this post and 1819 Alabama map from Alabama Heritage.
A better image of the map can be found here: https://tile.loc.gov/image-services/iiif/service:gmd:gmd397:g3970:g3970:ct007144/full/pct:25/0/default.jpg
Before statehood in 1819, Alabama's population grew rapidly, and it continued to grow in the following years totaling about 70,000. This was due to the "Alabama Fever." Many residents in older states had depleted the farming soil on their land, and they had heard of the fertile land available in Alabama. Furthermore, cotton prices were high in Alabama, which sweetened the attraction of the state. Farmers and planters were entranced by the idea of fortune in Alabama, so they quickly made the move to Alabama. People from Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, and Tennessee all piled into Alabama, quickly sky rocketing the population of the new state.
In Honor of Those who Served 🇺🇸 "On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free."
Sunday, December 4th in Marion - the Perry County Historical and Preservation Society Christmas Tour! 🎄
Make it a "Christmasful" weekend - our Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 3rd at Magnolia Glen in Furman and Sunday in Marion! Ho Ho Ho!!! 🎅🤶
The Perry County, AL 2022 Christmas Tour of Homes
Tour Tuesday! ...actually Evie's Tour of Highclere Castle! This pretty spaniel gives an excellent Tour. Thanks Evie! 🐾
Don't miss Highclere Castle's Lady Carnarvon's first visit to Alabama on Friday, March 24th! Join us for our annual Tour of Homes weekend in Pine Apple! Tickets available December 1 at Eventbrite.com.
Questions? Let us hear from you.
Highclere Castle shared a post on Instagram: "Evie’s favourite spots around the Castle 🐾 ". Follow their accoun...
Last day of the WHS Natchez Tour with a stop at Melrose! Another tour is scheduled for April if you are interested let us know. 🌸
Thank you to our tour guide Lance Britt with The Brittany House Antiques at Oak Hill!
Come join the Bear Creek Historical and Preservation Association Homecoming Celebration at Bear Creek Baptist Church in Caledonia on Sunday, November 6th at 2pm! Enjoy special speakers, music, food and fellowship. ⛪️
The old pic is of Shiloh Methodist Church and the newer one is of Bear Creek Baptist - both deserving of being saved, both part of the Bear Creek historical and preservation association.
(Photos courtesy of Martha Grimes Lampkin)
Final day of the WHS Natchez Trip! Another one is planned in April if you are interested. 🌷
Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle has announced the theme for the castle's Christmas decorations this year. Read her latest blog post to DISCOVER what it is! (pun intended!)
Don't miss Lady Carnarvon's first visit to Alabama on Friday, March 24th! Join us for our annual Tour of Homes weekend in Pine Apple! Tickets available December 1 at Eventbrite.com.
Sally from the gift shop is now once again chief Christmas Elf, dressed not in green tights but in a permanent light dusting of glitter. The endless making of garlands is on to the last stage except for one: this had originally been measured at 40 meters long but, with a change of plan with the tear...
The WHS Natchez Tour first night dinner at Lansdowne Plantation, c 1853. Thanks for sharing pics, Lance!! The Brittany House Antiques at Oak Hill!
Happy 61st Anniversary to WHS members Dr. and Mrs. Donald Carmichael! This beautiful couple married 28 October 1961 in Birmingham. 👰🏼♀️🤵🏻♂️
Mary Alice Beatty Carmichael
Happy Halloween! Enjoy a look back at Halloween in Camden in 1943...you may recognize a few names! 🎃🎃🎃
301 Broad Street
Camden, AL
36726
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Send a message to Wilcox Historical Society:
The Wilcox Historical Society was founded in the late 1960's, with the initial goal to save and restore the Wilcox Female Institute. Our goal as a society continues to be to preserve the history of this region and to act in some regard as a clearing house and reference source to people searching for genealogical information. Our local Wilcox County Public Library is an excellent source of history information. It is located in the courthouse - 100 Broad Street, Camden. Call 334-682-4355 for more information. President: Martha Grimes Lampkin ([email protected]) VP/Programs Chairperson: Garland Cook Smith Secretary: Jane Shelton Dale Treasurer: Mary Margaret Kyser Curator: Pie Malone WHS Membership Dues should be mailed to: Mary Margaret Kyser WHS Treasurer PO Box 464 Camden, AL 36726 $15 per person $20 per couple $150 per person lifetime membership $200 per couple lifetime membership If you would like to join our Strategic Planning Committee, to develop our Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan; our Museum Planning Committee; or our Tour of Homes Committee - please contact us. The Wilcox Female Institute is available for special occasions, family reunions, meetings, and functions. Please contact Curator Pie Malone at (334) 682-4592