"The Shelby County Historical Society, Inc., a
501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, is dedicated to the discovery, collection, and
preservation of all things related to the history of Shelby County Alabama; to
the encouragement, promotion, and sponsorship of historical research and the
public dissemination of that research; to the acquisition of physical artifacts
and documents and provision of their public display; and to the presentation of
educational programs and other activities for our citizens and visitors about
our past history and our heritage." Recognition and much appreciation to two of
Shelby County Historical Society's Charter Members William Earl Evans,
1923-2013, and Madine Evans, 1930-2012, for giving their many years of
service as the "first" Archivists of the Shelby County Museum & Archives. A
wonderful article can be found in the January 2000 issue of the Shelby County Historical magazine published by the Editor Diane (Brandenberg) Seales, pages 15-17,
taken from the Shelby County Reporter - Progress, dated February 24, 1999, by
Jennifer Park, Reporter Staff Writer. To view searchable digital archives of the Shelby County Historical Society's Magazines, Newsletters and Society Programs
dated April 1974 thru May 2016 furnished through the Alabama Department of Archives & History
CLICK HERE.
As a second attempt to form a Shelby County Historical Society a group of interested people met on January 18, 1974 at the home of Kenneth Ray Penhale
in Helena to discuss the formation of a Shelby County Historical Society. It was on that night, January 18, 1974, that the Shelby County Historical Society
was founded by the guidance and support from Margaret Lee (Davidson) Sizemore-Douglass, 1910-1998. Sizemore was Dean of
Women at Samford University from 1950-1970 and served as Assistant to the President from 1970 to retirement in 1986. The first general meeting
of the Shelby County Historical Society was held on
February 15, 1974 and the turnout for the meeting was remarkable. Penhale was elected as the first president of the
Shelby County Historical Society. On February 18, 1974 the Shelby County Historical Society was Incorporated. Charter membership closed on March 1, 1974 with
an impressive 200 charter members. The society experienced rapid growth and by January 1978 became the sixth-largest historical society in Alabama.
Various projects were initiated by the society to document all historic buildings and
sites in the county and a "Save the courthouse campaign" committee was organized to preserve this historic site that soon became in full-swing. This committee
was chaired by Mrs. Elsie M. (Archer) Jones, 1902-1993. (Mrs. Jones was the daughter of Harmon Ellington Archer, 1874-1954. Mr. Archer was a life-long
resident of Westover in Shelby County Alabama and a widely known merchant. He was Westover's first postmaster and for many years served as a justice of the peace.)
The Shelby County Historical Society's next project was to form a committee to collect "town histories" in Shelby County Alabama. As noted in the Shelby
County Reporter, dated Thursday, March 27, 1975, "Courthouse Added To Historic Register. The 121-Year-old Columbiana City Hall, a two-story brick structure
built in the shape of a cross, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building originally served as the Shelby County Courthouse
and became Columbiana City Hall in 1955. It also has been used at times as a hotel, a boarding house and an apartment building. The structure was built of
clapboard in 1854 and covered with brick in 1881." (On February 7, 2010 the 1854 Shelby County Courthouse was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and
Heritage that currently serves as the home of the Shelby County Museum and Archives.)
On January 11, 1979 an Open House was held in the "first and new" office of the Shelby County Historical Society located in Jeter Hall on the University of
Montevallo campus. This building housed the history department of the University.
In 1980 the first "Cemetery Census of Shelby County Alabama" books (Volumes One and Two) were compiled and copleted under the direction of
John Gates Reese, 1916-2002, and his wife Mary Katherine "Kate" (Crowell) Reese, 1918-1994. These books were the first of its kind in
Alabama and contained a total of 183 cemeteries in Shelby County Alabama.
As noted in the January 1983 Shelby County Historical Society magazine, page 3, "December 12, 1982 was a red letter day for the Society. Open house was held
in our old Courthouse. Two rooms have been restored, the front of the building has been painted, heat installed. A historical marker was unveiled in front of the
building during the open house. Over 400 guests came to share the happy occasion with us. This old building is the home of the Museum and Archives." The July
1984 Shelby County Historical Society magazine, page 1, reports "Grand Unveiling Sunday August 12th (1984). Three additional museum rooms, the Jones
Research room, the vault and new office are furnished at the old Courthouse and they are beautiful. (Tom Oliver Caldwell, MD, 1926-2008, donated the office
furniture and typewriter.) We invite all society members to the opening on August 12th. A short business meeting will be held at the Columbiana City Hall, then
open house at the Archives and Museum will be held from 2:30 to 4:30. Refreshments will be served and the public is invited to bring a friend if you wish.
The Museum will be staffed through the summer on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Archives will keep regular hours, which will be announced by the
meeting on August 12th. The new phone number for the office, which has been moved from the University of Montevallo to the 1854 Courthouse, is 669 - 3488.
If any member wishes to volunteer to be a guide at the Museum in the fall, call the office and arrange for scheduling. See you on Sunday August 12th." It was in
1984 that Probate Judge Thomas Alvin "Tommy" Snowden, Jr., 1932-2008, allowed the original "old" courthouse records to be moved from storage at the
existing courthouse to the 1854 Old Courthouse to be maintained in the Shelby County Museum & Archives by the Shelby County Historical Society. Also, at
this time Miriam (Rogers) Fowler, 1939-2022, served as the curator taking the leadership role toward the collection and setting-up of the Shelby County Museum.
The Shelby County Historical Society received on April 15, 1994 the "Local Historical Society Award" from the Alabama Historical Association.
The Local Historical Society Award honors a local historical society in Alabama for outstanding achievement in historical preservation and for significant
contributions to a greater appreciation of the history of the community and state.
It was on November 7, 1999 that Bobby Joe Seales was nominated from the floor by John Robert Walker, 1929-2024, and was elected to be the next
President of the Shelby County Historical Society. Seales retired as President of the Shelby County Historical Society and as Executive Director of the Shelby
County Museum & Archives on November 1, 2015; thus, being the first to serve as both President of the Shelby County Historical Society and as
Executive Director of the Shelby County Museum & Archives. CLICK HERE for more information and to read
further about "Bobby Joe Seales Retirement." During his tenure, membership grew to a record high, with 15 years of consecutive membership growth, becoming the
largest historical society in Alabama. Bobby Joe Seales early accomplishments are supported by: (1) The recognition that was presented on April 28, 2010 by the
State of Alabama Governor Bob Riley, through the Alabama Historical Association, a Certificate of Appreciation to the Shelby County Historical Society (see photo and award below). "This certificate
is presented in appreciation of your longstanding and successful efforts to collect, preserve, and disseminate information on historical Shelby County records,
newspapers, and artifacts through your operation of the Shelby County Museum and Archives. Because of the hard work of your volunteers, these historical
records are available to the citizens of Alabama and will be preserved for future generations. (2) The Shelby County Historical Society received on April 12, 2012
the James Ray Kuykendall Historical Society Award that is the Most Outstanding Local Historical Association Recognition Award presented from the
Alabama Historical Association (see photo and award below). "In recognition of outstanding achievements and significant contributions to a greater appreciation
of community and state history." (3) At his retirement on November 1, 2015, with a very large number in attendance, the Foyer of the Shelby County
Museum & Archives was named "Seales Room"
and dedicated in honor of Bobby Joe and Diane Seales. In addition, they were given "Honorary Membership" to the Shelby County Historical Society, Inc. Special
proclamations and certificates of appreciation and recognition were given to Seales from the Congress of the United States and many State, County and Local
government and organizations. A "Key to the City of Alabaster" and a "Key to the City of Columbiana" were also presented to Seales. Bobby Joe Seales was often
referred to as "Mr. Shelby County." He was known for his top hat and period attire. In his Farewell Address Seales outlined his
productive 15 years with the Society and the Museum & Archives and thanked his many friends and supporters."
The former Historic Shelby Association that
operated the Shelby Iron Works Park became a part of the Shelby County
Historical Society in June 2018. As a result of the merger, the Shelby County
Historical Society is now the overseer of the Shelby Iron Works Park. In 2024 the Shelby County Historical Society Officers and Board of
Directors formed a Shelby County Historical Society Board with the Society Offices becoming "Board Officers" and the Board of Directors retained the same
title.
