Who to Call for What

Historic Markers
For Residential & Commercial Properties, Plaques Affixed to Buildings, Jefferson County Historical Commission, cost $75.00, Tuesdays & Thursdays, Barbara King, 205-324-0918. For Major Events & Community History, Highway (large blue mounted) Markers, cost $1,500-$2,000, Alabama Historical Commission, 334-242-3184.

Historic Photographs
Black & white prints and computer imaging of images in their vast collections, indexed by subject matter, people and places, prints, slides, etc. for sale, Birmingham Public Library (BPL) Archives, 205-226-3630.

Historic Property Listings, Districts, Designation and Financing
In the City of Birmingham, call Karla Calvert, 205-254-2719.
In the City of Bessemer, call City of Bessemer, Economic Development, 205-424-4060
Elsewhere in Alabama, call Alabama Historical Commission (AHC), Montgomery, 334-242- 3184, or Christy Anderson 334-230-2658. Online: National Register of Historic Places: http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listing.htm

Alabama Historical Commission
The Alabama Cultural Resources Preservation Trust Fund was established to help fund many types of preservation projects in the state. AHC accepts grant applications from nonprofit organizations, local governments, educational institutions and others (not including individuals). Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. For information contact: Alta Cassady, AHC, P.O.Box 300900, Montgomery, AL, 36130-0900, 334-230-2668.
Grant catagories include: Survey and Registration, Community Planning, Education and Public Awareness, Planning for Historic Rehabilitation, Historic Rehabilitation Construction and Archeological Resource Management.

Assistance, Incentives for Financing Rehabilitations in the City Center (Downtown & Southside), Pam King, Operation New Birmingham (ONB),205-324-8769.

Commercial Properties, Rehabilitation Rebates and other incentives in certain of the 27 City of Birmingham Commercial Revitalization Districts, Kathy Puckett, 205-254-2558. Karla Calvert oversees historical districts, 205-254-2719.

Community Development Block Grants, Grants Management Division, Community Development Department, in Birmingham, Tom Tiffin, 205-254-2312; in Bessemer, Jim Byrum, 205-424-4060.

National Park Service Heritage Preservation Services: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps
National Register Designation & Incentives for Rehabilitation Improvement in property value; 20% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) on rehabilitation work; 50% Alabama Property Tax reduction for commercial properties; facade easement donations, for more information call AHC.

National Register of Historic Places Information:
The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s list of properties worthy of preservation. Applications, process, incentives & tax advantages for properties listed, AHC, 334-242-3144. Is a property listed? Nomination copies, photographs, etc., AHC, 334-242-3144. Is a Birmingham property listed? Incentives & tax advantages, Karla Calvert, 205-254-2719. Birmingham neighborhoods seeking designation, Karla Calvert, 205-254-2719.

Copies of most Birmingham nominations, BPL Archives, 205-226-3630.
Online information: How to list a property in the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listing.htm

Planning & Architectural Services
Online: Alabama Historical Commission Services: http://www.preserveala.org

Professional Researchers
Genealogists, list, Birmingham Public Library-Southern History, 205-226-3665.
Individuals Familiar With Birmingham Public Library Collections, list, Archives, 205-226-3630.
Survey & Inventory, National Register Nominations, list of qualified professionals, AHC, 334- 242-3144.

Publications
Guide to local records: House Detective, $9.95, Birmingham Historical Society, 205-251-1880.
Local History & Places: Birmingham Historical Society (BHS), titles available, 205-251-1880.
Birmingham Public Library Southern History Dept., titles available, 205-226-3663. BHS publications also carried in area bookstores or can be ordered through a form available online.

Preservation Books, National Trust for Historic Preservation, titles available, 202-588-6296, http://www.preservationbooks.org

Preservation Briefs, National Park Service reports on conservation techniques & issues, Beverly True, AHC, 334-242-3184.

Standards for Rehabilitation, the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines for renovation of historic properties, AHC, 334-242-3144; online at the National Park Service ParkNet site.