Historic Mobile Preservation Society

HMPS Leadership Board of Directors 2012-2013

Officers
President - Clara Armbrecht

1st Vice President - Allan Gustin

2nd Vice President - Michon Trent

3rd Vice President - Paul Shestak

Secretary - Thomas C. McGehee

Treasurer - Tunstall Inge

Board of Directors
Bob Allen
Hodge Alves
Cart Blackwell
Mary Cousar
Penny Dendy
Carol Earls Franklin
Rich Gudmundson
J. Mitchum Jackson
Dr. Kern Jackson
Stacey Killingsworth
Erica McElhaney
Allison Peebles
Bunky Ralph
Robin Roberts

Advisory Board
Wanda Cochran
Buffy Donlon
Jeff Garrett
Rob Gulledge
Stella Hester
Douglas B. Kearley
Sally Trufant
Beth Walmesley

Executive Director
Rhonda P. Davis

Landmark

SUMMER 2011

FALL 2011

WINTER 2011

SPRING 2012

SUMMER 2012

JULY/AUGUST 2012

HMPS appreciates the generous support of our Corporate Partners:

BankTrust
Chilton's Fine Art & Framing
Harrison Brothers Dry Dock & Repair Yard
White-Spunner Construction







		The Cook’s House Restoration Project Opening August 2013 HMPS is working to raise money for the restoration of The Cook’s House, located on the grounds of Oakleigh. This modest structure was built in the late 1860s and is one of Mobile ’s last standing detached kitchens and servant’s living quarters. Once restored, The Cook’s House will open as Mobile ’s first African American house museum, dedicated to the post-Emancipation life experience. We invite you to become a part of this unique historic preservation project. To contribute, please visit The Cook’s House Restoration Fund donation form. The restoration of The Cook’s House begins in August 2012. Click here to mail in a donation

	Historic Mobile Preservation Society was founded in 1935 as a grassroots membership group dedicated to preserving the tangible links to the past for the benefit of present and future generations. HMPS's mission includes curating the Oakleigh Historic Complex, a 19th-century museum and archives campus in the heart of one of Mobile's most beautiful historic districts. Activities include field trips to historic locations, guest speakers, workshops, parties, concerts, and social gatherings. Research and document and material preservation are part of the organization's ongoing work. HMPS members receive free admission to general tours of Oakleigh Historic Complex. Members also receive a subscription to Landmark Letter . HMPS holdings of historic materials include an impressive collection of 19th century art, including the magnificent Thomas K. Sully portrait of "Miss Walton of Florida," the formal debut portrait of Octavia Walton LeVert, once known as "the belle of the South." The Mitchell Archives serves as a research facility for historians, scholars, students, researchers, history buffs and the lovers of Southern literature and historic photography. The centerpiece is a 2,000-plus collection of circa 1900 dry-plate glass negatives in the William E. Wilson Collection.

	Current Civic Actions: HMPS's current civic action priorities include the following projects. Members are encouraged to actively participate in these activities.

		Barton Academy: HMPS is committed to exploring and promoting the restoration of Barton Academy, the state's oldest public school building and an architectural treasure at risk of demolition by maintenance neglect. HMPS has been working closely with other civic groups to accomplish this restoration. For information, call 251-432-6161 or email hmps2@bellsouth.net

		Historic Documents: HMPS conducts ongoing work to preserve and manage its archival collection of documents, maps, photographs and other materials useful to researchers. Click here to access our list holdings list or email the archivist at hmps2@bellsouth.net

	Membership Opportunities: HMPS is a member-driven organization. Members are invited to participate in a variety of activities: educational, social, and civic. Year-round complimentary admission to Oakleigh Historic Complex, free and discounts in Oakleigh Gift Shop are among the benefits of membership. HMPS members receive a complimentary subscription to Landmark Letter and are eligible for discounted registration to the National Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference. For information, call 251-432-6161 or email hmps@bellsouth.net

		Conservation and Exhibition of the HMPS Art Collection: HMPS is the owner of an extensive collection of exquisite 19th-century decorative arts including portraits and other period paintings, furniture, silver, porcelain and textiles. This remarkable portrait of Octavia Walton, titled "Miss Walton of Florida," by Thomas K. Sully, was painted upon her debut in 1833. She would later be best known in Mobile -- and the world -- as Madame Octavia Celestine Valentine Walton LeVert. This most accomplished lady spoke seven languages, was received by Queen Victoria and Napoleon III and had an audience with Pope Piux IX. She traveled extensively and wrote of her international journeys in a two-volume set, Souvenirs of Travel, which went through five printings in her lifetime. This portrait is found in the second parlor of Oakleigh mansion and is one of the many historic treasures in the HMPS collection. Hear her story and that of many other Mobilians as part of the Oakleigh tour.

	Looking at the Past in a New Way: HMPS is fortunate to have an abundance of historic letters, official documents, public records, photographs, maps and books that are significant to Gulf Coast History. The Minnie Mitchell Archives, an impressive research repository, exists due in large part to the generosity of the A.S. Mitchell Foundation, patrons and other supporters. Among the articles exhibited in the archives is a 19th century U.S. flag with 34 stars. This flag, restored through a grant from the A.S. Mitchell Foundation, once flew on the Sarah E. Meaher, a commercial ship that was the first of U.S. ship of its kind to navigate the entirety of the Danube River. This ship transported the first shipment of rails to be installed in the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The ship was seized when it entered the Port of New Orleans shortly after Louisiana had seceded from the Union. When Captain Ward Smith, a Union sympathizer, refused to lower the U.S. flag, the ship was seized and the captain and his flag -- the style of which was only flown during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln -- were expelled from Confederate territory. See a model of the Sarah E. Meaher and a miniature portrait of Captain Smith at the Minnie Mitchell Archives at Oakleigh Historic Complex. These, along with a collection of maritime paintings and original letters by Confederate war hero Admiral Raphael Semmes, are part of the collection. For information, call 251-432-6161 or email hmps2@bellsouth.net

	Extending the Archives to the Community: MINNIE MITCHELL ARCHIVES are open by appointment, by calling 251-432-6161 or email hmps2@bellsouth.net

Click Here to buy Tickets for
JUST DESSERTS

Click Here to buy Tickets for
SPRING RAMBLE
April 20th to Selma

The Oakleigh Historic Museum

Hours of Operation
Wednesday - Saturday:
10:00AM - 4:00PM
Other Times - By Appointment

Tours on the hour.
Last tour starts one hour beforeclosing.

General Admission:

Beginning October 1, 2012
$10 adults
$7 Groups of ten or more
$5 for children
Discount coupons honored.

*Closed most holidays including:
New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Directions:
Oakleigh is located five minutes east of the intersection of Government and Catherine Street. Traveling east on Government go eight blocks, turn right onto Ann Street, take the first left onto Selma Street. Buses and large passenger vehicles should go four blocks on Selma Street and turn left onto Roper Street. Others should go five blocks on Selma Street and turn left onto Oakleigh Place.

HMPS Activities
For information call (251) 432-6161 or (251) 432-1281 or Email hmps@bellsouth.net

2012 – 2013 Calendar of Events

October 10
UMS Wright
Day of Service
Historic Oakleigh Complex

October 18
An Evening In History
Dr. Greg Waselkov
USA Archeology Department
presents
"USA ’s New Archeology Museum ”
5:45 p.m.
Oakleigh Historic Home

Tuesday, October 23
Bravery & Beauty, Mint Julep Party
and Silent Auction

November 15
An Evening In History
Tom McGehee
presents
“The Alabama Governor’s Mansion”
5:45 p.m.
Oakleigh Historic Home

November 18
Cooking Traditions: It’s All About the Cheese
Cheese Straw Challenge
Benefiting The Cook’s House Restoration Project
3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Oakleigh Historic Complex
Tickets: $10

Thursday, November 29
Candlelight Christmas at Oakleigh Preview Party

Saturday and Sunday, December 1 and 2
Christmas at Oakleigh

Saturday, December 1
Candlelight Christmas at Oakleigh

Monday, December 10
Bus Trip to Montgomery
Christmas Tour of the Governor’s Mansion

Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16
2013 Mobile Historic Homes Tour

Saturday, April 20
Spring Ramble
Selma, Alabama

Saturday, May 4
Oakleigh Porch Tour

Thursday, May 9
HMPS Annual Meeting