The 2012 Spring Pilgrimage followed the Alabama River from Selma to nearby Cahawba, Orrville and Molette’s Bend to discover historic sites that date back to the early 1800s. Visitors experienced guided tours of a once vibrant plantation, majestic town “castle,” former male academy, movie producer’s Tudor-style estate and more. Tours included three homes in Orrville/Molette’s Bend, four homes in Selma (including an evening reception), the restored St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at Cahawba—Alabama’s first permanent capital, two museums, 1860’s gristmill and two art shows. Pilgrims enjoyed lunch with the Orrville ladies who treated them to delicious southern cuisine as well as an heirloom quilt show. The two-day event also hosted artisans demonstrating their skills at Heritage Village, an Antique Symposium and the Alabama Plein Air Artists painting all around the town.

Visitors met at Pilgrimage Headquarters (Vaughan-Smitherman Museum) at 109 Union St. to purchase tickets and enjoy refreshments before touring this pre-Civil War building. Then took a short drive to Cahawba, Orrville and Molette’s Bend for the Morning Country Tour that featured three antebellum homes and a church. Returning to Selma for the Afternoon Town Tour, pilgrims toured three homes are open until 5, and another opened for a Friday night tour at 6:30. Other sites included the 1860’s Kenan’s Mill and magnificent Sturdivant Hall, two Symposiums, and artisans and craftsmen at work in the 19th Century Heritage Village. Splendid works were on display at the ArtsRevive Juried Art Show, Selma Art Guild Show and Alabama Plein Air Artists Sale.

Visitors spent a night or two so they could enjoy all that Selma has to offer. Visit our website to find more information about our event as well as valuable discount offers at select lodging facilities and restaurants.

Sponsored by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society, Pilgrimage began in 1976 as a way to recognize and share the city’s variety of architectural styles and rich history. As one of the state’s oldest cities, Selma’s historic district features more than 1200 structures. Selma is located 50 miles west of Montgomery on U.S. 80 and 90 miles south of Birmingham on Alabama 22. It can also be reached via Alabama 14 just a 45-minute drive west of Prattville.

Package tickets can be purchased during the event at Pilgrimage Headquarters (Vaughan-Smitherman Museum, 109 Union St). Individual tickets can be purchased at each site.

For more information, call 334-412-8550, visit the website, call 800-45-SELMA (800-457-3562) or write to the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society, P.O. Box 586, Selma, AL 36702-0586.

Update in May 2012 at Annual Meeting:  We have re-worked all of the front windows and are in process of putting storm windows over those. The painted plywood windows that were on the front are now in the back of the building to protect those window until we can re-work them and to provide more security for the building.

The Selma City Schools continue on as a good tenant and we have no reason to expect the need for them to vacate in the near future. We are thankful for our good working relationship with Mr. Shirley, the superintendent, and the school system.

Implementation: The Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society has begun this renovation project with acquisition of the building. We aim to have the roof and windows repaired within one year.

Original post:  This 25,000 square foot structure has two full floors above ground, and a full basement. This brick structure is an early 20th century Revival style, and was built in 1913 as Selma’s first High School. Ager and Cline were chosen as contractors, and William T. Warren from Birmingham, one of Alabama’s foremost architects, designed the school.Most of the Tremont Street structure has remained unused for decades with the school district only using the basement for storage. A deed search indicates that the building has been owned by the City of Selma since 1957 (Deed Book 497, page 2). The previous owner, the City School Board of Selma acquired the lots in 1911 (Deed Book 232, page 326).The structure is still sound, but there is an immediate need for window and roof repairs. Before the structure could be occupied, it will also need new electrical service, a new HVAC system, new plumbing and restrooms, and repairs to walls, floors, doors, and ceilings. An elevator and other accessibility accommodations need to be made. An asbestos and lead paint assessment and abatement program has to be undertaken.

The SDCHPS has purchased signage like the ones pictured here, to be used to promote the historic nature of the homes in Selma and Dallas County.

Please print and fill out the application below, and then mail it to: SDCHPS, P.O. BOX 586, Selma, AL 36702-0586.

Wouldn’t you like to have one in your front yard?

The SDCHPS has purchased signage like the one pictured above, to be used to promote the historic nature of the homes in Selma and Dallas County. The signs will have the house builder’s name and the year constructed in white lettering. We feel that these signs will help with identification of specific properties when one takes the wind shield tour offered by the Chamber of Commerce. In addition to this, the signs will help promote historic preservation and awareness. The price is set near cost and all proceeds, if any, from the project will be reinvested in our Historic Signs and Plaques Program, as well as, other preservation projects.

Click here to download the application.

Held the first Saturday of November, Kenan’s Mill Fall Festival is a celebration of rural life and traditions in the Black Belt of Alabama.  The 12^th annual Kenan’s Mill Festival will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2 with stone-ground cornmeal, grits and an apple-cider making demonstration.  Info on last year’s celebration is below:

The day-long festival at the 1860’s gristmill on Valley Creek also features live music, hayrides, mill tours, art, crafts and children’s events.

“There are more children’s activities this year,” said chairman Sylvia Smith, and in addition to the very popular hayrides, the little train from Old Mac’s Farm will be there from 10 to 1. Children can also make and decorate birdhouse gourds to take home, plus participate in three-legged sack races, horseshoes, bean bag toss, hula hoops, and face painting.”

Children who attend the festival can enjoy the Selma Fire Department’s Fire Safety Jump House from 10-2, and everyone can taste samples of homemade apple cider made by Robert Gordon on an old-fashioned screw-type press.

Live music features young fiddler Caleb Bryant and his grandfather from Northport, the bluegrass band Highway 280 of Dadeville, and Jacky Jack White & J. Burton Fuller of Sumter County.

Crowd favorite Caleb Bryant returns again this year playing solo and with his grandfather.  Caleb is a young fiddler who has won many competitions and currently plays fiddle in CrimsonGrass – a bluegrass Gospel Group in the West Alabama area.  Caleb began playing the fiddle when he was four years old. God has blessed him to be able to progress into quite a fiddle player.  The crowd will be shocked as they listen to this young man; they will have to remind themselves that he is only eleven years old!!  He most recently won the age 11-15 fiddling category at the Tennessee Valley Old-Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens.  Caleb takes the stage at 10:00 and 12:00.

Back again this year is Highway 280.  Highway 280 was formed in 2000 by Clifford Moncus and Billy Turner who were getting together informally to do a little pickin’ at Clifford’s printing shop in Dadeville, Alabama with a few other local bluegrass musicians. Early in 2001, Billy asked Gwen Taunton to bring his 5-string and “jam” with the group one night during one of their practice sessions, and he has been hangin’ around ever since. Then in September of 2009, after several personnel changes in the group during the year, Johnny Hogan joined the group as the new bass player. What makes Highway special is that they love to play music – bluegrass music.  The five-member group regularly plays at events in Auburn, Opelika, Alexander City and other east Alabama venues.   Highway 280 will play at 11:00 and 2:00.

Jacky Jack White is a legendary songwriter who makes his home in Livingston, Ala. He has written songs for many recording artists including Neal McCoy, Charlie Pride, Ray Stevens and the Carter Sisters. He is the host of the nationally syndicated radio show, “The Sucarnochee Revue”. White’s work spans the genres of country, blues, rockabilly and gospel. His music is lively, at times wistful, and often humorous, but unquestionably Southern.  J. Burton Fuller has been a beloved Sumter County singer/guitarist for over six decades. Their CD “On a Sumter County Porch” on Silverwolf Records has garnered national media attention.  Jacky Jack White and J. Burton Fuller will play at 1:00 and 3:00.

Visitors can watch corn grinding by Jim Wood at the mill and purchase stone-ground cornmeal and grits, tour the mill house and take a trip across the swinging bridge to see the “beehive” kiln. Vendors with handmade arts and crafts are invited to bring their wares and set up between 7 and 9 a.m. No vendor fee is charged, but donations are welcome.

Once again, visitors can spend the day and eat lunch on site. The Vittles Wagon, which is open all day, offers Brunswick Stew, barbecue, chili, hot dogs, Hoppin’ John, cornbread, hot and cold beverages, sides and sweets.

“This is a fun event that celebrates rural life in the Black Belt and is suitable for the whole family,” said Smith. “Bring your lawn chairs and sit in the shade in front of the bandstand and spend the day.” Hay bales will be scattered about for extra seating. Handicapped restrooms and parking are also available, and there’s a wheelchair ramp at the mill house.

Live music starts at 10 am and goes through until 4 pm.

Only service animals allowed.  No pets.

Gates are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Selma is located 50 miles west of Montgomery on U.S. 80 and 90 miles south of Birmingham on Alabama 22. It can also be reached via Alabama 14 just a 45-minute drive west of Prattville.  (Click here for directions)  The mill road entrance is about a mile north of Selma on Summerfield Road (County Road 37). Turn right onto a gravel road across the Valley Creek bridge past the City of Valley Grande sign. Admission is just $5 per person 12 and over. Children under 12 get in FREE.

For more information, visit our Facebook page or call 334-412-0722. Sponsored by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society, Kenan’s Mill Festival began in 2002. 

A Brief History

Kenan’s Mill was built in the mid 1800′s and produced water-ground meal, grits and corn for over 100 years.  The grounds also include a fascinating 19th Century brick charcoal kiln.  Kenan’s Mill was built and continuously owned by the Kenan family until Elizabeth Kenan Buchanan donated it to the Historic Society in 1997.  Restoration is ongoing, and the mill is currently operating on special occasions by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society.  Kenan’s Mill is a great place to hold your wedding, party, or special occasion.  For rental information, please click here.

Together with ArtsRevive, the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society invites quality vendors, artisans and craftsmen to market their wares. Food vendors offer everything from spicy southern barbecue to chicken on a stick, Oriental fare, Greek salads, Polish sausage, hamburgers, turkey legs, funnel cakes and curly fries.

Experience the tunes of Dixieland, blues, Southern rock and country while you browse open-air booths piled with colorful quilts and handbags, wooden bowls and children’s toys. Shop along Water Avenue beneath wrought-iron balconies for barnwood and cedar birdhouses, baskets woven with wisteria and kudzu, monogrammed gifts, handmade jewelry, pottery and much more.  If you are an artisan, crafter, or vendor and would like to take part in Riverfront Market Day, please download and complete this 2012 Vendor Application.

Join the first Riverfront Market Day Scavenger Hunt!

Solve 10 clues at locations from Carneal ArtsRevive on one end of Water Avenue to Riverfront Park on the other end for the chance to win one of three top cash prizes! Prizes are $300, first place; $200, second place; and $100, third place.

Registration opens at 11 a.m. at Scavenger Headquarters. Rules and regulations will be provided at registration, and prizes will be awarded at 4 p.m. All 10 clues must be successfully completed to be eligible to win. Winners will be selected in the order of their achievement.

Hunt Hint:  Know your Water Avenue history!

Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Price is just $2 for adults, $1 children 12 and over and FREE for children under 12.

Plan to spend the weekend and also attend the Alabama Tale-Tellin’ Festival on Friday and Saturday nights.

2012 Market Day Music

Morning Music (9-11:30):

Center stage: Lower Society of Upper Water Avenue is Market Day’s original band formed by Jimmy Bedgood and later led by Charlie Worrell. Several of the original band members are deceased, but the band plays on with new members. They play Dixieland and some jazz.

Songs of Selma Park: The Ramblers, a local six-to-eight person jazz and Dixieland band hosted by Dave Thomas.

Noon Music:

Center stage: The Fabulous Shades will wow you with its 10-person band  section that plays oldies from the 60’s and later.

Songs of Selma Park:  Local favorite Phillip Morgan specializes in classic rock and roll that includes favorites of the ‘60s and 70s. He also likes to throw in a bit of New Orleans reggae.

Afternoon Music (2:30-5):

Center Stage: Vintage Gray got such rave reviews from last year, they were asked to return. Listen to great vocals and Oldies Rock and Roll.

Songs of Selma Park: The John Bull Band from Montgomery performs blues, jazz and some good Oldies.

Center Stage

9- 11:30 am – Lower Society of Upper Water Avenue (Dixieland and Jazz)

12 – 2:15 pm – Fabulous Shades (Oldies)

2:30 – 5 pm – Vintage Gray (Oldies Rock & Roll)

Songs of Selma Park

9:00 – 11:30 am – The Ramblers (Jazz & Dixieland)

12:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Phillip Morgan (Classic Rock & Roll with New Orleans reggae)

2:30 pm – 5 pm – John Bull Band (Blues, Jazz & Oldies)

Riverfront Market Day Location: Water Avenue at the foot of the Pettus Bridge.

There is plenty of free parking downtown.  Click here for a map to Selma.

For more information call 334-412-8550 or 1-800-45-SELMA or download this Market Day Card.

Some of the 2011 Vendors: