A few years ago, the Springville Presbyterian Church was on the verge of closing. It was built in 1873, one year after Springville was officially established, and is the second oldest church in Springville.

Rather than let the church be sold, the remaining membership voted to donate the property and buildings to the Springville Preservation Society. Plans were immediately made to move the Springville Museum’s archives to the church manse and to name the building the Springville Heritage Center.

Kathy Burttram, director of the Archives, and many volunteers spent the last few months converting the manse into a center for local and family history research. In addition to the archives, the center includes a children’s room known as “Cuzins Corner,” which will be used for programs to encourage children to investigate their family roots.

The Wayne Tucker Memorial Oral History Room offers visitors the opportunity to record their memories and family histories on-site. A camera and other equipment were purchased with a grant received from the Alabama Genealogy Society in 2023. Appointments at the Heritage Center can be scheduled, or the camera equipment can also be taken to other locations as needed.

The Heritage Center is a step forward in the Preservation Society’s efforts to preserve Springville’s past and to educate future generations. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays or by appointment.