Unfolding Memory
"Rosedale is my memory."
Frances Jones, Rosedalean
Rosedale, Alabama is a small, historically African-American neighborhood founded in the late 1800s. Developed primarily in the undesirable land of "Shades Valley," known to locals as "Death Valley" for its heavily wooded and sloping terrain (along with rumors of a Native American burial ground), Rosedale grew into a thriving community and epicenter of middle-class black culture, education and life. In 1927, Rosedale joined surrounding areas in forming the city of Homewood. While it remained a segregated neighborhood for African-Americans, the Rosedale School, innumerable businesses and the tight-knit relationships between community members made Rosedale a desirable place to live. Events such as plaiting the May Pole, visiting the swimming hole, buying penny cookies from B.M Montgomery ("Fess") and watching the Rosedale School band hold special places in the hearts of the "Rosedaleans" who grew up within the boundaries of the neighborhood.
In 1969, Rosedale School was closed, integration came to Birmingham, and the borders of Rosedale were opened wide. By the mid 1970s, residents began to sell their homes, some moved away, and many children chose to pursue employment opportunities elsewhere.
Today, Rosedale is tucked away behind busy intersections and commercial buildings, but the people who live there continue to have a deep attachment to and respect for their community. Rosedale is currently faced with issues of commercial development, encroachment and gentrification. In March of 2019, a History Harvest was held in Rosedale in order to allow them to be heard, capture their stories and memories, and provide an opportunity to record their communal history.
History Harvest, defined: An event hosted by researchers in order to gain an insider look into a community, gain access to primary resources and engage with the individuals who bring not only artifacts, documents and photographs, but their memories as well.
On March 24, 2019, the indoor gym at the Lee Community Center in Rosedale was transformed into a place of remembrance. Rosedale Community Development Corporation volunteers helped serve food, and Samford University student volunteers greeted Rosedale residents at the door. Individuals had the opportunity to share memories in three ways: Artifacts, Photographs and Oral Histories. Artifacts included physical objects, legal documents and written resources (ex: newspapers). Photographs were handled with great care as their images were captured and returned to the owners. Oral histories were collected with recorders; individuals were asked to remember childhoods in Rosedale, the Rosedale School, and how integration affected both their personal lives and their neighborhood. In only three hours, volunteers photographed 317 objects and recorded five oral histories, all of which are available for permanent viewing on this website.
The memories and resources collected reveal enormous amounts of information about the social, cultural and community history of Rosedale. The photographs depict numerous aspects of the Rosedale School, including the sports teams, the band and the physical building. Objects such as the Rosedalean (1962 Rosedale School Yearbook) provide an in-depth look into the community, while personal photographs of families, relatives and friends show the human side of the historical narrative. This exhibit provides a brief overview of the pillars of the Rosedale community: the churches, the Rosedale School and the neighborhood culture, utilizing both objects from the History Harvest and additional materials collected after the event.