FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Andi Martin, Marketing and Public Relations Manager
andi.martin@ahc.alabama.gov, 334-230-2680
September
4, 2019
Pond
Spring to Host General Joe Wheeler Birthday Celebration
(Montgomery,
AL) The Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) and
Pond Spring: The Home of General Joe Wheeler invite you to a celebration of
heritage, culture, and cars. The
historic Wheeler home will host the annual General Joe Wheeler’s Birthday
Celebration on Saturday, September 14 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Site Director Bruce Lipscombe
has partnered with a number of local organizations to create a full festive
atmosphere in honor of what would have been the General’s 183rd
birthday.
This
year’s soirée comes with a few new surprises, including a classic car show
sponsored by the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department. Registration for
the car show is $15 per vehicle entered and begins at 8:00 am on site.
Patrons
will also be treated to a Dulcimer concert by the Sweet Tones, birthday
cake from a Wheeler family recipe (sponsored by the United Daughters of the
Confederacy), watermelon (sponsored by Lawrence County Historic Society),
flag exhibit presentation, and ongoing house tours, camp reenactment, food,
drinks (sponsored by Pepsi), and continuous blacksmith exhibitions.
What
birthday isn’t complete without a little artillery? General Joe’s celebration
will be one heard around the county, accentuated with cannon fire. Ongoing
demonstrations will occur courtesy of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans
McBride Camp, who sponsor the battery’s presence at the event.
Another
featured element for the day includes a sign dedication for new interpretive
panels, made possible by a grant from Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Entrance
to the grounds to view the reenactment, the concert, cake (while it lasts), and
Pepsi products are free. Admission to the Wheeler House is $8 adults, $5
seniors/college students/military, $3 children 6-18, and free for children
under 6. Tours of the lavish Victorian-era home will be offered from 9:00 am to
3:00 pm.
Confederate general, a U.S. congressman, and a Spanish-American
War general, the life of General Joe Wheeler was one of service to his
country. Following the Civil War, Wheeler became a national symbol
for reunification and reconciliation. His 1868 home is the center point of
the 50-acre historic site owned and operated by the Alabama Historical
Commission. The collection contains around 10,000 objects, furnishings,
clothing, and papers associated with the family.
Pond
Spring is located in Lawrence County in Hillsboro, three
miles east of Courtland, on Alabama Highway 20 (US Alt. 72).
The Alabama Historical Commission protects, preserves, and interprets Alabama’s
historic places and is the State Historic Preservation Office. To
learn more about Pond Spring, or the Alabama Historical Commission, please
visit www.ahc.alabama.gov.
About
Pond Spring: The General Joe Wheeler Home
Wheeler was a legendary Confederate general,
a U.S. congressman, and a Spanish American War general. Following the Civil
War, Wheeler became a national symbol for reunification and reconciliation. His
1870s home is the center point of the 50-acre historic site owned by the
Historical Commission. The collection contains around 10,000 objects,
furnishings, clothing, and papers associated with the family. Pond Spring, the
General Joe Wheeler Home, a historic property of the Alabama Historical
Commission, is located in Lawrence County in Hillsboro, three miles east of
Courtland, on Alabama Highway 20 (US Alt. 72).
About
the Alabama Historical Commission
Located in historic downtown Montgomery
at 468 S. Perry Street, the Alabama Historical Commission is the state historic
preservation agency for Alabama. The agency was created by an act of the state
legislature in 1966 with a mission to protect, preserve and
interpret Alabama’s historic places. AHC works to accomplish its mission
through two fields of endeavor: Preservation and promotion of state-owned
historic sites as public attractions; and, statewide programs to assist people,
groups, towns, and cities with local preservation activities. For a complete
list of programs and properties owned and operated by the AHC, hours of
operation, and admission fees please visit ahc.alabama.gov
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