BROWN BAG HISTORY SERIES

Join us at the museum for the next Brown Bag History event on Thursday, April 16, from noon until 1 p.m. Janice Caudle Graves will be signing her recently published book of short stories, Light the Candle, Eat the Cake, Use Your Good Dishes, and Thank God. 

Janice recounts her life in lovely snippets beginning with how she was almost named Queen Elizabeth at birth. She recalls her early years when she was sure she had met a witch at a well, her experiences as the wife of a Marine, life as a teacher, and the sadness of losing a child during pregnancy and the thrill (and agony) of later giving birth to healthy twins. Her tales include recollections of her fascinating world-wide travels with her husband, John, who is also a retired teacher. Janice also writes about receiving a cancer diagnosis, the process of treatment, and living afterwards as a cancer survivor through the strength she found in her family, friends, and her faith in God.  

Don’t miss a chance to hear Janice recall some of her interesting life events in person. Her charming stories range from downright hilarious to expressing the resilience that only someone who has seen both immense grief and utter joy can convey.

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Archaeologist Van King will be the speaker at the Blount County Memorial Museum’s next Brown Bag History event on Thursday, April 30, from noon until 1 p.m. His subject will be the Prehistory of Blount County.

King says, “Blount County holds a remarkably deep and rich record of Native American occupation. This presentation will explore that long history, beginning with the Paleo‑Indian Period (10,000–8,000 B.C.) and continuing through the Mississippian Period (A.D. 900–1500). A variety of local prehistoric artifacts—including projectile points (‘arrowheads), pottery, and other tools—will be shown to illustrate the technological and cultural changes that unfolded over thousands of years. These objects help tell the story of the people who lived, hunted, crafted, and traded across the landscapes of Blount County long before European contact.”

King is a native of Blount County and graduated from Susan Moore High School and attended Jacksonville State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry. He continued his education at the University of Alabama and received a master’s degree in anthropology/archaeology. He has worked as a professional archaeologist for over 40 years throughout the South, although his research focuses on the prehistory of the Southeast including Alabama specializing in lithis analysis, experimental stone tool reproduction, and the replication of prehistoric stone vessels. Currently, King is working on a prehistoric soapstone/steatite quarry in Tallapoosa County (see photo).

“My passion for archaeology began at age 13, when I started collecting ‘arrowheads’ from local farmers’ fields. What began as a hobby grew into a lifelong career,” King said. King has served as state president of the Alabama Archaeological Society, as well as other positions in the organization. He is currently the president of the Huntsville Chapter of AAS.

Everyone is invited to join in and hear about the peoples who inhabited our region long ago. RSVP is encouraged but not required. As always, admission is free. The museum is located at 204 2^nd Ave E, Oneonta. For more information or to RSVP call 205-973-0465.

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OTHER EVENTS

There has been a murder at the museum. (NOT REALLY!) All the folks at an upcoming special event at the museum are suspects and all are tasked with solving the mystery. That is what lays in store for you if you attend this fund-raising happening at the Blount County Memorial Museum on Friday, April 24, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. 

The Southern Ghost Girls Tours from Cullman has partnered with the museum to present what is described as a family-friendly 1960s-themed “live action Clue © game.” Patrons will be treated to heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments as they employ their sleuthing skills to solve the mystery. 

Each attendee will be given an option to be part of the story. Lesley Ann Hyde, the founder and owner of the company, says, if you choose to accept a role as a character in the tale, “there is no reason to be afraid. You’ll not be going on stage and reciting lines. It is interactive and participatory. Some people ham it up and have a really good time.” Once given a role you’ll become that character for the evening. “The cool thing about it is you get to be someone else for the night.” Keep in mind, the perpetrator of the homicide will be someone in the audience. Perhaps someone at your own table did the deed. It might be the person you come with. It might even be you. Who knows what secrets lurk in those we think we know well?

If you choose not to take a role, that is okay. It will be entertaining just to sit back and watch the others attempt to locate their inner Sherlock Holmes.

Join the would-be detectives who must collaborate to solve the who-done-it, all the time knowing the unknown culprit is among them, as is the victim of the dirty deed. Guests are encouraged to dress the part. In other words, dig out your favorite 1960s clothing stuffed in the back of a closet. Does this sound groovy? Far out!

Hyde is an alumna of the Alabama School of Fine Arts where she concentrated on dance and theater. She graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with an English major. In addition to conducting themed murder mysteries, the company leads ghost tours and cemetery walks. 

Tickets are on sale at www.southernghostgirls.com or by scanning the QR code on the ad. Tickets are $65 each and part of the proceeds benefit the museum. The Blount County Historical Society is sponsoring the event. For more information, contact the museum at 205-973-0465.

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The quarterly meeting of the Blount County Historical Society will be Sunday, April 26, 2026, starting at 2 p.m., at the Blount County Memorial Museum. And if you think you’re suffering from déjà vu, you’re not. This was the program scheduled for January, but cancelled due to the threat of an ice storm that never came.

Thankfully, Historical Society member Mitchell Dunn agreed to reschedule. Mitchell will tell us about the history of the Town of Baltimore, which was located on the Mulberry Fork of the Warrior River at the western edge of what was then part of Blount County. An early settler of Blount County, William Dunn (Mitchell’s ancestor), and two other investors laid plans in 1820-1821 to build a town they believed would grow into a marvelous city because of the commerce they envisioned from the use of the river – declared a public highway by the new state of Alabama. 

And grow it did, for a while. The population flourished to about 400 residents that included doctors and lawyers, merchants, at least one blacksmith, and several clergymen to tend their flocks. An 1829 map shows only three towns worthy of note in Blount County –   Blountsville, Blount Springs, and Baltimore. But by the 1850s, the town was gone, along with the dreams of a metropolis on the Mulberry. 

Mary Gordon Duffee wrote about the community in 1891 in her series Sketches of Alabama. “The ‘Old Baltimore’ referred to, was a ‘Boom’ town started on paper during the year 1820, and its reputation was as brilliant as its career was brief. The town died at its birth, and lies there buried, with not even the shadow of a house to mark its birthplace. Cotton and corn grow where its streets were to be.”

Join us as Mitchell shares his knowledge of the rise and fall of Baltimore.

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“Swing, batter batter, swing”

Come spend a night at the ballpark, chatter at the players, celebrate Armed Forces Appreciation Night, have a hot dog, enjoy some cotton candy, and support the museum at the same time. Part of the proceeds from your ticket purchase will aid the museum carrying on its mission, but you must purchase your ticket using the QR code on the flyer.

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The Museum will not be open on Saturdays until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.