Society for Industrial Archaeology (SIA)
Southern Chapter
The Birmingham District is a very good place to enjoy industrial archaeology, and the SIA is a very good support and leadership organization for this activity. The Southern Chapter of the SIA had a reorganizational meeting in order to be more active and provide for the development of interest folks have in this fascinating vocation. To learn more about the Society for Industrial Archaeology, visit their website. Better yet, if you interested in industrial and technology history, become a member of SIA national and get active with the Southern Chapter.
The re-organization meeting for the Southern Chapter was held at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park in the Iron & Steel Museum of Alabama on January 26, 2008. The meeting was led initially by member Jim Bennett, and subsequent discussion led to selection of leadership positions. These were filled by Jack Bergstresser, Sr. PhD., Chairman, and by John Stewart, Secretary. The intent of this group is to energize the somewhat dormant Southern Chapter of SIA and to start good activity in the field building on work done in the recent months by local members of SIA.
One of the great opportunities that the group anticipates will be working closely with the Red Mountain Park organization to assist in developing appropriate interpretive venues on Red Mountain in the park reservation area. To this end, the group intends to work closely with Red Mountain Park Commission to assist in evaluation of potential early phase park sites that could be developed for public use. The Friends of Red Mountain Park website is a good place to learn more about this evolving project that will enable Birmingham to enjoy one of the foremost park resources in the nation.
The initial activity planned by the newly active group is a field trip to Red Mountain to visit some of the mine sites (outside only!) and prepare a report to be offered to the Red Mountain Park Commission regarding proposed development of some of the former mine sites. More information will follow soon on Birmingham Rails website.
If you are interested in joining the Southern Chapter of the SIA, and working to learn about the industrial history of the Birmingham District, please contact Secretary Stewart through this website. Email regarding Southern Chapter SIA
 |
 |
| Re-organization of Southern Chapter SIA, January 26th, 2008 | |
|
Kneeling (l to r): Trey McFerrin, Alex Nuckols; Standing (l to r): Jimmy Mitchell, William Eiland, Eric McFerrin, Jim Bennett, Jack Bergstresser, John Stewart, Lee Sorrell |
New leadership: Chairman Bergstresser & Secretary Stewart |
