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19th Century Life in Alabama

Letters and Diaries of an Alabama Family

2023-03-29 11:00:00 2023-03-29 12:00:00 America/Chicago 19th Century Life in Alabama Presented by Jim Baggett of the Alabama Historical Society Speakers Bureau O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room

Wednesday, March 29
11:00am - 12:00pm

Add to Calendar 2023-03-29 11:00:00 2023-03-29 12:00:00 America/Chicago 19th Century Life in Alabama Presented by Jim Baggett of the Alabama Historical Society Speakers Bureau O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room

O’Neal Library

Community Meeting Room

Presented by Jim Baggett of the Alabama Historical Society Speakers Bureau

From matters of love, death, and politics to the price of shoes, nineteenth century Alabamians recorded their experiences in letters and diaries. This talk explores life in the 1800s through the personal writings of one Alabama family. 

Jim Baggett is Head of the Department of Archives and Manuscripts at the Birmingham Public Library and Archivist for the City of Birmingham. He has served as president of the Society of Alabama Archivists and currently serves as President of the Alabama Historical Association. Jim has lectured throughout the U.S. and in Europe and has been featured on Alabama Public Television, Alabama Public Radio, National Public Radio, and C-SPAN. He has authored two books on Alabama history, edited three others, and has written dozens of articles. He also writes the "Reading Birmingham" book column for the online news site BirminghamWatch. Jim lives with his wife and daughter in Birmingham and Mentone, Alabama. 

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

O’Neal Library

Phone: (205) 879-0459

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We're open 9:00AM to 8:00PM

Mon, Apr 27 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Apr 28 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Apr 29 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Apr 30 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 01 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, May 02 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, May 03 2:00PM to 6:00PM

Upcoming events

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Tue, Apr 28, 9:30am - 9:50am
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Guide your child through storytime activities designed to boost development for infants to around 18 months.
This event is full

Tue, Apr 28, 10:00am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Please bring a yoga mat and water.

Tue, Apr 28, 10:30am - 10:50am
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Guide your child through storytime activities designed to boost development for infants to around 18 months.
This event is full

Tue, Apr 28, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
O’Neal Library - Makerspace
Drop by the Makerspace to work on your creative projects and explore our resources!

Tue, Apr 28, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
SIGN IN AND DROP OFF YOUR K-2ND GRADERS FOR LIVE-ACTION STORYTIME FOR SCHOOL-AGED, INDEPENDENT KIDS.

Tue, Apr 28, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Zoom - Zoom
This free, eight-week course will provide an introduction to American Sign Language. Classes meet via Zoom. Registration is required.
Registration is now closed

Tue, Apr 28, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
Book clubbing, outside the box!

Wed, Apr 29, 9:30am - 10:00am
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Establish routine & build attention and literacy skills.

Wed, Apr 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Establish routine & build attention and literacy skills.
This event is full

Wed, Apr 29, 1:30pm - 2:15pm
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Build cooperation, reading, and school readiness skills through stories, movement activities, and creative expression.

Thu, Apr 30, 9:30am - 10:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Informal storytime & lively music that seeks to build positive relationships with books & the library for all ages.

Thu, Apr 30, 10:30am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Informal storytime & lively music that seeks to build positive relationships with books & the library for all ages.

Thu, Apr 30, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
O’Neal Library - Makerspace
Drop by the Makerspace to work on your creative projects and explore our resources!

Thu, Apr 30, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Play BINGO for the chance to win books and candy. Drop Off Program

Fri, May 01, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Alys Stephens Center - Jemison Concert Hall
Join Carlos Izcaray, acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz, and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for Heart of a New World.
This event is full

Fri, May 01, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
We'll be eating, playing, gaming, crafting, karaoke-ing and having a fun time after hours at the library. For 3rd-6th graders from 6:00-8:00. Dinner will be provided! Register. Drop Off Program.

Fri, May 01, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Alys Stephens Center - Jemison Concert Hall
Join Carlos Izcaray, acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz, and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for Heart of a New World.
This event is full

Sat, May 02, 10:30am - 12:00pm
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
Medicare can be confusing, but the presentation today should help clarify the process. Bring any questions you might have!

Sat, May 02, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Alys Stephens Center - Jemison Concert Hall
Join Carlos Izcaray, acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz, and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for Heart of a New World.
This event is full

Mon, May 04, 10:00am - 12:00pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Mark your calendars for the monthly Mahjong meet-up at O'Neal Library.

Mon, May 04, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
EARN VOLUNTEER HOURS AND IMPROVE THE O'NEAL LIBRARY'S YOUNG ADULT SERVICES!

Tue, May 05, 9:30am - 9:50am
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Guide your child through storytime activities designed to boost development for infants to around 18 months.
Registration opens Tuesday, April 28 2026 at 9:00am

Tue, May 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Please bring a yoga mat and water.

Tue, May 05, 10:30am - 10:50am
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Guide your child through storytime activities designed to boost development for infants to around 18 months.
Registration opens Tuesday, April 28 2026 at 9:00am

Tue, May 05, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
SIGN IN AND DROP OFF YOUR K-2ND GRADERS FOR LIVE-ACTION STORYTIME FOR SCHOOL-AGED, INDEPENDENT KIDS.

Tue, May 05, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Join us for this sensory experience!

Wed, May 06, 9:30am - 10:00am
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Establish routine & build attention and literacy skills.
Registration opens Wednesday, April 29 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, May 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Establish routine & build attention and literacy skills.
Registration opens Wednesday, April 29 2026 at 9:00am

Wed, May 06, 1:30pm - 2:15pm
O’Neal Library - Storytelling Room
Build cooperation, reading, and school readiness skills through stories, movement activities, and creative expression.
Registration opens Wednesday, April 29 2026 at 9:00am

Thu, May 07, 9:30am - 10:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Informal storytime & lively music that seeks to build positive relationships with books & the library for all ages.

Thu, May 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Informal storytime & lively music that seeks to build positive relationships with books & the library for all ages.

Thu, May 07, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
Learn about things Mongolia, travelling, and building a career in sustainable tourism! FREE Mongolian snacks!

Thu, May 07, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
O’Neal Library
Join Miriam Calleja for 90 minutes of writing prompts.

Sat, May 09, 10:00am - 2:00pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Join us for Crafterday at the library. Bring your own craft (and a friend if you would like) for a day of crafting.

Mon, May 11, 10:00am - 12:00pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Mark your calendars for the monthly Mahjong meet-up at O'Neal Library.

Mon, May 11, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Great conversation about great short fiction!

Tue, May 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Please bring a yoga mat and water.

Tue, May 12, 10:00am - 11:30am
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
The Bookies is O'Neal Library's Tuesday morning book group. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the library conference room. Visitors and new members are always welcome!

Tue, May 12, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
O’Neal Library
Join Miriam Calleja for 90 minutes of writing prompts.

Fri, May 15, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Alys Stephens Center - Jemison Concert Hall
Join Carlos Izcaray and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for Independence — a celebration of artistic vision and creative freedom, culminating in the world premiere of Maestro Izcaray’s Symphony No. 1.

Sat, May 16, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Alys Stephens Center - Jemison Concert Hall
Join Carlos Izcaray and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for Independence — a celebration of artistic vision and creative freedom, culminating in the world premiere of Maestro Izcaray’s Symphony No. 1.

Sun, May 17, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Crestline Elementary Fields
Thomas Hughes Brinkley Memorial Fun Run @ 3:00 with the Carnival immediately after. Rain or Shine.

Tue, May 19, 8:45am - 9:45am
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
O'Neal Library Board

Tue, May 19, 10:00am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Please bring a yoga mat and water.

Sat, May 23, All day
O’Neal Library
Memorial Day

Sun, May 24, All day
O’Neal Library
Memorial Day

Mon, May 25, All day
O’Neal Library
Memorial Day

Tue, May 26, 10:00am - 11:00am
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Please bring a yoga mat and water.

Tue, May 26, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
Book clubbing, outside the box!

Thu, May 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
A social group for Neurodivergent adults that meets bi-monthly, providing peer support and opportunities for resource sharing.

Mon, Jun 01, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
MBLF Meeting

Mon, Jun 08, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Great conversation about great short fiction!

Tue, Jun 16, 8:45am - 9:45am
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
O'Neal Library Board

Tue, Jun 30, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
Book clubbing, outside the box!

Fri, Jul 03, All day
O’Neal Library
Independence Day!

Sat, Jul 04, All day
O’Neal Library
Independence Day!

Sun, Jul 05, All day
O’Neal Library
Independence Day!

Mon, Jul 13, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
O’Neal Library - Community Meeting Room
Great conversation about great short fiction!

Tue, Jul 21, 8:45am - 9:45am
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
O'Neal Library Board

Tue, Jul 21, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
O’Neal Library - Conference Room
Book clubbing, outside the box!