Historical Society Meeting Sunday, February 1st
Join us for a tour of the Old Columbiana Inn
Bill and Leigh Ann Fleagle purchased The Columbiana Inn to make it their private residence. As lovers of historic houses, they had only one concern, would the blue they chose for the exterior offend the neighbors? The house sits on East College Street, the busiest thoroughfare in town, and has enchanted generations of residents and visitors with its castle-esque turret and storybook charm. While not much of a formal history exists of the old Armstrong House, memories and stories abound. The Fleagles are honored to welcome
you to their home as part of a special tour. In partnership with The Shelby County Historical Society, you’ll hear a brief history, walk through the house, and have the opportunity to share your memories as we help preserve the genealogy of this historic Columbiana landmark. Refreshments will be served.
February 1, 2026 from 2pm-3:30pm
306 E. College St.
Columbiana, AL 35051
Please park at the Board of Education to reserve the driveway on Thompson Drive for those with difficulty walking.
Tear Down the 1870 Brick Wall
—One Document at a Time
Help break through the “1870 Brick Wall” by joining our Armchair Archivist Program. From the comfort of your home, you can help transcribe Shelby County’s oldest records—wills, estate files, deed books, and loose court documents—into searchable text. For countless black families, the 1870 Census is the first place their ancestors appear by name, creating a barrier that makes tracing lineage before emancipation extremely difficult. Your work as an Armchair Archivist will tear down that wall, making these hidden stories visible and accessible to all. Together, we can preserve history, honor those who came before us, and provide new opportunities for genealogical discovery. Click below to learn more and start transcribing today.
Thank you to our sponsors and program supporters
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