While historic homes are the centerpiece of Pilgrimage, a variety of special events round out the weekend. Visitors can experience a sampling of Selma’s religious, industrial, pioneer and cultural heritage. You probably will want to come on down and spend the night so you don’t miss these other venues!
Events include:
- 175th Anniversary of Church Street United Methodist Church (214 Church St.), where you can “Celebrate the Journey” of Selma’s oldest Christian denomination. Take a tour of the sanctuary and Calhoun parlor and hear how circuit riders spread the Gospel on horseback and braved the primitive countryside to found the Methodist church in Central Alabama. Tours are from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2-5 p.m. on Sunday.
- Old Live Oak Cemetery Ghost Tour (West Dallas Avenue), where former residents of Selma step out from the shadows to meet the living in Old Live Oak Cemetery and share their tales. Evening tours begin at 6 p.m. both Friday and Saturday with the last tour departing at 8 p.m. (If you are interested in even more “ghosts,” take the Brownstone Manor house tour on Thursday and Friday nights beginning at 9 p.m.)
- Kenan’s Mill, a working 1860’s gristmill (on the way to the Kenan House just off County Road 37 north of Selma), where you can watch the millstone turn and buy stone-ground grits and cornmeal. Trek across Valley Creek on the swinging bridge (or via an old iron land bridge) to see the charcoal kiln. Visit the miller’s house and enjoy the beautiful park atmosphere. The mill is open from 11 a.m- 4 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.
- The Foundry (near the foot of Water Avenue below the Old Depot Museum), where you can tour a variety of machinery left by successive owners. In the century since 1869, The Foundry manufactured steam engines, cotton presses, iron and brass castings, locomotive engines and parts for sawmills and well-drilling operations. Tour hours are Saturday ONLY from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- Arts Revive Juried Art Show & Sale (Harmony Club downtown on Water Avenue), where works by Alabama artists are exhibited. This show has grown in size and popularity since it began seven years ago. Art show hours are noon-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.
- Selma Art Guild Art Show (508 Selma Ave.) where you can view a variety of works by local artists in a turn-of-the-century cottage. This art show is across the street and less than a block from Nettie’s Cottage, a home that will be on tour Saturday afternoon. Art Show hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
- Alabama Plein Air Artists will “paint the town” in the courtyards and gardens of historic homes and other venues. On Saturday, they’ll sell their finished art from 5-7 p.m. in a “Wet Paint Sale” at the Selma Art Guild Gallery, 508 Alabama Ave.
- Vintage Show & Selma Shoppe (710 Dallas Ave.) will offer vintage collectibles and Selma souvenirs for sale in the former Southern Antiques house. Head here for antique silver, dishes and items such as Selma author Kathryn Tucker Windham’s cookbooks, plus much more!
We look forward to your company and sharing our town with you!
