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The Smithsonian exhibit, The Way We Worked, will open on July 19 at 10 a.m. at the Pell City CEPA building.

Traveling over America, the exhibit will be in Pell City for five weeks. Content from the exhibit is from the Smithsonian Institution and primarily explores the American workforce over the past 150 years. Alongside the traveling exhibit is a large, local exhibit designed by The Pell City Works Committee. The local treasures include old photographs, artifacts and historical narratives showcasing the Pell City and St. Clair County workforce throughout the years. Project Director Pam Foote is very excited to see the exhibits open.

“Our committee has been working hard to make this a signature event for our city and our region,” said Foote. “We think visitors will be surprised at the depth and creativity of our exhibit, and we hope they will enjoy exploring our city’s and our country’s history along with us.”

Several free events will be held in addition to the exhibits over the five-week stay. These events will be held at the Pell City Public Library and the CEPA building and will actually kick off a few days before the exhibit opening.

“Assistant Library Director Susan Mann along with CEPA Artistic Director Kathy McCoy have done an incredible job putting together a series of free events that follow our theme,” Foote said. “We hope everyone will join us for these entertaining and engaging programs. And, of course, The Way We Worked is free and open to the public as well, thanks to a partnership of Alabama Humanities Foundation and the Smithsonian.”

Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Extended hours will be on three Saturdays — July 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; July 26, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. prior to a performance by Alabama’s master storyteller, Dolores Hydock; and Aug. 23, 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information about the exhibition and events, go to www.pellcityworks.org. The following are the events planned in conjunction with the exhibition:

 

 July 16

Songs and Stories from the Porch — Noon at the Pell City Library

In days gone by, folks gathered on the porch at the end of day. Step back in time as we share the music and memories of the way we worked with special stories by our very own: 

Avondale Mills  by Sarah Love Rast

Pell City Grocery  by Betty Turner

On the field and beyond by retired head football coach, Pete Rich

And the music you’ll remember by Michael Barber and friends

 

July 19

The Way We Worked Exhibition opening ceremony–10 a.m. at CEPA, Pell City Center for Education and the Performing Arts.

The public is invited to a special ceremony to commemorate the opening of the Smithsonian exhibit, The Way We Worked. Following welcoming remarks and ribbon cutting, the exhibition officially opens. Pell City Players theater troupe will be dressed in period costume in roles of key figures in Pell City’s history. Throughout the exhibit, an Alabama Public Television-produced video of oral histories, including 25 Pell City citizens will play continuously on the big screen in the theater.

 

July 22

Farm Day at the Pell City Library—10 a.m.

Special story time as we celebrate the way we worked on our farms with our young readers at the Pell City Library.  Enjoy special stories and the display of old-time farming implements.

 

July 26

Dolores Hydock–7 p.m. at the CEPA Center Theatre

Alabama’s Master Storyteller presents a special program on Norman Rockwell. He didn’t just paint pictures; every picture told a story. In this presentation, she shares surprising stories from Rockwell’s life and career, and describes “the way he worked.”

 

July 29- 31

Alabama Robotics Technology Park Mobile Lab, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

This mobile lab will be in front of CEPA each day. See how we work now and in the future with robotics technology in action. Demonstrations and tours throughout the day.

 

July 30

Now and Then with Pell City Flower and Gift Shop—Noon at the Pell City Library

Join us for Flower Arranging 101 . . . and more.

For three generations, the Pell City Flower Shop and the Hollis family have shared our community’s happiest moments . . . our deepest sorrows.  Cindy Luby will demonstrate the fundamentals of flower arranging, and Bob Hollis will share the history of the shop, and special work memories along the way.

 

Aug. 6

The Life and Times of Coach William Glover—Noon at the Pell City Library

Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of retired head football coach of Pell City High School, William Glover.  Be on hand to welcome him back to Pell City and hear his story!

 

Aug. 13

“Fiddlers, Banjo Players and Strawbeaters:  Alabama’s First Pop Musicians”–Noon at Pell City Library

Special guest lecturer and Alabama Humanities Foundation Road Scholar Joyce Cauthen, will expound on the contributions of old-time fiddlers to their communities—their daytime work and nighttime music, and highlight local musicians and the early fiddles played by them.  Mrs. Cauthen’s husband, Jim will play the fiddle, performing period songs, backed up by Mrs. Cauthen on the guitar, banjo or broom straws. 

 

Aug. 18-20

Ag in Action Trailer at CEPA 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Farming is an integral part of the way we worked and still do. This mobile learning lab will be in front of the CEPA building, featuring videos, computer stations, farm games and interactive learning stations.

 

Aug. 20

Books, Blue jeans and Bluegrass–Noon at the Pell City Library 

Join us for a celebration of books, blue jeans and bluegrass as we commemorate Avondale Denim Day at the Pell City Library with live music, sweet tea and camaraderie!  The program will also serve as the finale for our annual Adult Summer Reading program at the Pell City Library. The entire community is encouraged to wear denim in honor of one of the traditions at Pell City’s grandfather industry, Avondale Mills.

 

Aug. 23

Closing Day–Exhibit comes to a close at CEPA

For its final day, the exhibition will be open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.