Houses in Birmingham

Birmingham Illustrated:
A Look at the Magic City's House Styles
Birmingham Illustrated: A Look at the Magic City's House Styles opens November 1, 2003 in the Birmingham Public Library Gallery. More than 50 illustrations will give a quick and comprehensive look at Birmingham homes from shotguns to bungalows, four-squares to grand Italianates, cottages to Tudor castles. The exhibit will help identify styles, engage the viewer with seldom-explained facts, and tell an important part of Birmingham's past and present.  The exhibition hangs through December 31, 2003. The opening reception will be held November 2 at 3 p.m. sponsored by the Birmingham Historical Society and the Birmingham Public Library.

In conjunction with the Birmingham Historical Society exhibition Birmingham Illustrated: A Look at the Magic City's House Styles, the Birmingham Public Library will offer a series of talks in November on the history and development of Birmingham’s architecture.

Faces of Birmingham: The Evolution of Our City’s Skyline

A century ago downtown Birmingham looked very different from today with rows of ornate Victorian buildings standing only a few stories tall. The development of steel construction and the electric elevator allowed builders to construct skyscrapers that towered over and finally replaced many of the old buildings.  Archivist and historian Marvin Whiting will show slides and explore the changes in the architectural face of Birmingham. Birmingham Public Library, Wednesday, November 5, 12 noon

Every House Has a History

Whether you live in a modest bungalow or a century-old mansion, you will find resources at the Birmingham Public Library to help you learn more about your house and the people who have lived there. Archivist Jim Baggett will help you begin your search by discussing sources and methods for piecing together the unique history of your home. 

Birmingham Public Library, Wednesday, November 12, 12noon

Springville Road Regional Library, Thursday, November 13, 10 a.m.

North Birmingham Regional Library, Monday, November 17, 12noon

Avondale Regional Library, Tuesday, November 18, 10:30 a.m.

Five Points West Regional Library, Wednesday, November 19, 11 a.m.