Virginia Edington
Recording Secretary
Sally Adams Trufant
Board of Directors
Clara Armbrecht
Dora Finley
Jeff Garrett
Allan Gustin
Stella Hester
Thomas C. McGehee
Harold Parkman
Julee Sackett
Paul Shestak
Michon Trent
Beth Walmsley
Advisors
Amy Hamilton
Tenne Johnson
Joy Klotz
Robin Roberts
The Official Period House of
the City of Mobile, AL
Oakleigh Museum phone:
(251) 432-1281
Site Last
Updated:
2/8/2011 6:30 AM
COMING SOON! AN EVENING IN HISTORY
February 17 – 6:00 p.m. - Dr. Kern Jackson – Albert Murray and Ralph Ellison – Letters of Two Men.
Members: Free. Non-members: $10.
Join us for refreshments provided by Cream & Sugar at 5:45 p.m.
Call 251-432-6161 for more information.
For more information Click here.
Click Here to View Slide Show From January's An Evening in History with John Sledge.
Click Here to view our newsletter, Landmark Letter.
About Historic Mobile Preservation Society
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.
1. 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
2.
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
3.
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
4.
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.
5.
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
6.
Extending the Archives to the Community: MINNIE
MITCHELL ARCHIVES are open by
appointment, by calling 251-432-6161 or email:
hmps2@bellsouth.net
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 before closing.
General Admission:
$7 for adults
$3 for children and students
$5 per person for groups
of 10 or more
Discounts for Seniors, AAA, Veterans &
Active Military
*Closed most holidays including:
New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Directions:Use MapQuest
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
February 17, 2011 An Evening in History with Dr. Kern Jackson, University of South Alabama Albert Murray and Ralph Ellison – Letters of Two Men
6:00 p.m. (refreshments at 5:45 p.m.)
Free for HMPS members.
$10 for non-members.
For more information click here.
March 17, 2011 An Evening in History with Cart Blackwell, MHDC George Rogers
6:00 p.m. (refreshments at 5:45 p.m.)
Free for HMPS members.
$10 for non-members.
For more information click here.
Historic Mobile Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation.
It receives principal funding through memberships and fundraising. HMPS has received funding for operations and/or special programs
from the following entities:
The City of Mobile
The Community Foundation of South Alabama: "Friends of Oakleigh" Fund
The Community Foundation of South Alabama: Eichold Family Trust
The Community Foundation of South Alabama: Delchamps Family Trust