Historic Selma Pilgrimage 2009

The weather's fine, so come on over and enjoy the 34th annual Historic Selma Pilgrimage this weekend!

Begin here at the circa 1848 Joseph T. Smitherman Historic Building (Vaughan-Smitherman Museum) at 109 Union St. It's Ticket Headquarters, and you can tour its many collections from hospital equipment to military uniforms and Civil War memorabilia.

Selma's spring blossoms intertwine with Spanish Moss more often than not!

Gillman Hall, above, was built in 1860 and is on the morning tour Friday and Saturday, then open 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Antique lovers can head on over to Dallas Avenue where Southern Antiques hosts the Antique Show & Sale.

Yes, we are pretty positive that azaleas will be near peak for Pilgrimage this year, thanks to rain and warm weather!

Old Live Oak Cemetery is an outdoor museum and gardens in its own right and offers visits with famous, now-deceased Selma residents at twilight! These friendly "ghosts" just love to tell their stories.Count on encounters with former Confederate leaders, former flamboyant Mayor Joe T. Smitherman, Selma's first black lawyer and a short-lived U.S. vice president.

The Mabry Jones Home (circa 1850) has been beautifully preserved with original furnishings, and its tour offers the history of one of its former residents, Capt. Catesby ap Roger Jones, who commanded the Merrimac (C.S.S. Virginia) in a naval battle between ironclads of the Civil War. This home in on the 1-5 p.m. afternoon tour.

On Saturday and Sunday, Kenan's Mill will be open and operating. Outside the 1860's gristmill is a swinging bridge across Valley Creek, a charcoal kiln and mill house.

Two art shows are open, including the Arts Revive annual juried show at The Harmony Club on Water Avenue.

This year's Pilgrimage church, above, is First Presbyterian. One of Selma's Butterfly Project butterflies adorns the courtyard. The church is famous for its clock tower and carillon.

You will notice butterflies all over downtown. This one points toward the First Presbyterian clock tower.

Sturdivant hall is among the best of the best when it comes to Neo-Classical Greek Revival architecture! The furnishings and collections within as well as its several outbuildings provide a unique look at plantation life.

Selma's industrial heritage is preserved in the 1860's Foundry. A special event will be the Alabama Art Casting workshop and demonstration with an iron pour on Saturday afternoon. You can even etch your own cast-iron art!

The Old Depot Museum is full of history from Civil War to Civil Rights and beyond. Plan plenty of time to browse through its many rooms and its train cars and fire museum out back.

Here's The Harmony Club, site of the Arts Revive Alabama Art Show. It's also a private residence and once was a Jewish social club. More art can be viewed at the Selma Art Guild Gallery at 508 Selma Ave.

I haven't even mentioned the 1821 Balsora Plantation or the Antique Car Show or Heritage Village! The car show on Saturday includes vehicles from every decade, and over at the Village, there are 1800's doctor's and law offices, a tenant house and pigeoncote!

Pilgrimage is sponsored by the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society.