In addition to celebrating the 40th anniversary of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the student members of Phi Alpha Theta presented the 13th Edition of the Vulcan Historical Review (VHR) student journal to distinguished guests and fellow students on Thursday, September 24.

To celebrate the students’ achievement, University President Dr. Carol Garrison and Provost Dr. Eli Capilouto took time out of their busy schedules to congratulate the students. Also in attendance were Dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Dr. Jean Ann Linney, and the Chair of the History Department Dr. Carolyn Conley, members of the History Faculty, the student editors, Phi Alpha Theta members, and both graduate and undergraduate students.

Co-Editors Kristina Brandon and Jennifer Phillips introduced the guests, the co-editors of the 14th Edition, and the faculty members who devoted time and money to publishing the VHR. Representatives from Boothby Realty were in attendance, and the editors presented them with copies of the VHR. Boothby Realty has the distinction of being the first non-university related contributors to the Vulcan Historical Review.

The Vulcan Historical Review is now for sale through Phi Alpha Theta. You can contact the honor society’s faculty advisor, Dr. George Liber, at the UAB History Department, AB320, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294. The book is available for a donation of $10 to the VHR. All donations to the VHR will help fund the publishing the 14th Edition.

Note: The author of this post is a co-editor of the 14th edition of the Vulcan Historical Review.

Photo: The editors present UAB President Dr. Carol Garrison with a copy of the 13th Edition of the Vulcan Historical Review.

Written by: Rebecca D.

In September, the city of Leeds will celebrate folk art and the city’s history at the second-annual Leeds Downtown Folk Festival and John Henry Celebration. The weekend will feature folk music, entertainment, exhibits and booths. There will be plenty of food vendors and lots of activities for the kids. Be sure to take time to see the play “Listen to that Cold Steel Ring,” written by Marie Cromer. In addition to numerous displays, artisans–such as basket weavers, metal smiths, felters, woodcarvers, and potters–will be at work creating unique items during the festival.

I had the chance to see last year’s festival and it is one of the festivals that should be on your list to see this fall. Downtown Leeds still has that small-town feel and charm. The artists will have some great work on display, and it’s a great time to stroll through Leeds’ historic downtown. Down-home Southern food and a local farmers’ market will tempt everyone’s taste buds. There’s also a great area set aside for the kids and a variety of musicians will be performing throughout the weekend.

For history buffs like myself, take some time to tour the Historic Depot before the John Henry play starts. I’d never heard of John Henry before, and it was great to learn some local folklore–John Henry worked the rail and went up against a steam drill at the Oak Mountain Tunnel in the 1880s. This year John Garst, professor emeritus from the University of Georgia, will speak on John Henry’s life. Get there early for a good spot and be sure to bring a chair for the play.

The artists will have some great work on display, and it’s a great time to stroll through Leeds’ historic downtown. Down-home Southern food and a local farmers’ market will tempt everyone’s taste buds.

The entry to the festival is free, and so is parking. The food court and farmers’ market will be open both days.

Hope to see you in Leeds!

Information: Second-Annual Leeds Folk Festival, September 19-20

Visit www.leedsfolkfestival.com to learn more.

Written by: Rebecca D.

The 2009 volume is the 13th edition of the journal. The VHR is written and edited entirely by students from UAB’s history department. This year’s topics include the TVA in Alabama, the Nazis’ Lebensborn Project, the Creek Indians, the cholera epidemic in the United States, rammed earth houses in Jefferson County, the battle of the Aleutians in World War II, urban warfare in Saigon during the Vietnam War, genocide in Colonial Rwanda, and using architectural preservation to study history.

Here’s an excerpt from Beth Hunter’s “Rammed Earth Houses: An American Vision in the New Deal,” which discusses the houses in the Gardendale-Mt. Olive area:

“All put together, these are the only rammed earth houses built by the WPA. In fact, they are the only government-built rammed earth houses in the United States. Their design is similar to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian style, with clean low lines incorporating the surrounding landscape. The WPA planned and executed an amazing feat of engineering and displayed an amount of resourcefulness that was extraordinary.”

Co-editors-in-chief Jennifer Phillips and Kristina Brandon worked diligently to update the VHR and produce a journal that really stands out among the previous publications. “The editorial staff wanted to ensure that there was a wide variety of subjects in this year’s journal, and we worked very hard to reach that goal,” Phillips said. Brandon added that this year’s VHR includes color photos, “which help bring this year’s essays to life.”

The VHR staff and Phi Alpha Theta are currently working out details on when and where the journal will be available. All proceeds from sales of the 2009 Vulcan Historical Review will benefit the student group and help publish the 2010 issue.

Stay tuned for details on when you can get your copy!

Written by: Rebecca D.