New book from Birmingham Historical Society offers a fresh look at The Magic City

If you’re a Birmingham native, a history buff or just a lover of fun facts, the Birmingham Historical Society (BHS) has something special coming your way.

After more than six years in the making—and built on nearly 50 years of research—Birmingham by the Book is set to release in February 2026, offering a comprehensive, visually rich look into The Magic City’s history, sites and neighborhoods.

Read on for what to expect, including information on the book’s release event.

Birmingham’s past + present

Written by longtime BHS director Marjorie L. White, the 128-page paperback is part history book, part walking guide.

Birmingham by the Book spans everything from pre-history to the city’s founding in 1871 and carries readers through decades of change and progress. Along the way, it highlights iconic landmarks like Vulcan and Sloss Furnaces, while also shining a light on more locals-only sites that help tell Birmingham’s full story.

Inside the book, readers will find:

• 300+ new and archival photos
• 60+ detailed maps
• Info + context amassed by BHS over the years

An ongoing cultural record

For White, Birmingham by the Book feels deeply meaningful and part of an ongoing journey.

She traces its roots back to the Birmingham Historical Society’s first major publication in 1978, Downtown Birmingham: An Architectural and Historical Walking Tour—a book born out of necessity.

“There was an absence of information about this city. It was a time when people thought history in the South stopped with the Civil War—which we found not to be true. That book was an instant success!”

Marjorie L. White

That first success sparked more than 50 BHS publications, covering everything from Birmingham’s industrial past and civil rights history to Shades Creek, Mountain Brook, historic churches and the Olmsted vision for the city.

While Birmingham by the Book brings decades of knowledge together in one place, White is quick to say this isn’t an ending.

“Culmination is an end point—and we are definitely not at an end. Those driven by curiosity never reach culmination, and the Society is ever driven by curiosity and an ongoing desire to document many eras.”

Marjorie L. White

An invitation to explore The Magic City

At its core, Birmingham by the Book is about encouraging connection to place, to history and to community.

“We want to encourage people to not only read about our city but to get out and explore their community. This book is an invitation to do just that

It carries forth our mission to illuminate the development of the city and the region we call home—and to share what our research
has revealed for today’s and future generations.”

Marjorie L. White

The guide also includes links to individual sites for deeper dives, as well as resources from the Birmingham Convention & Visitor Bureau to help readers plan where to eat, sleep and shop while exploring.

Can’t wait to get your hands on a copy? There will be a release event for Birmingham by the Book on February 23, 2026 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

For more info, check out birminghamhistoricalsociety.com

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