Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
5 surprising Alabamians you should know—check out this new exhibit
Reading time: 4 minutes
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When most people think of Alabama history, a familiar cast of characters comes to mind. But what if some of the most interesting Alabamians weren’t the ones in your textbook?
Vulcan Park & Museum’s newest exhibition, Revolutionary Roots: Celebrating Alabama’s Unique History and Natural Beauty, invites visitors to rediscover Alabama history through people you may not recognize—but probably should.
Read on for everything to expect, and what you need to know before you visit.
About Revolutionary Roots
Unveiled in honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary as part of America250, the exhibit runs through January 2027 giving locals and visitors plenty of time to dig in.
Alabama wasn’t yet a state in 1776, but individuals from this land—and those who later made it home—played meaningful roles in shaping culture, education, science, industry and community life. This exhibit brings many of those lesser-known stories to the surface.
Anchored by a striking, three-dimensional tree installation, the exhibit draws inspiration from Alabama’s distinction as the most biodiverse state in the nation.
5 important Alabamians you might not know
Rather than focusing on the usual historical figures, Revolutionary Roots highlights individuals whose influence is often overlooked:
- Saiko Shihan Yasuhiko Oyama, a martial arts leader who helped turn Birmingham into the birthplace of an international karate federation with dojos in nearly 20 countries
- Sequoyah, an inventor + scholar who created a written language without any formal education
- Ruby Pickens Tartt, an artist and historian who preserved first-person accounts of formerly enslaved Alabamians
- Chief Calvin McGhee, a tribal leader who helped formalize governance for the Poarch Creek Indians + secured federal reparations
- Kosaku Sawada, a horticultural innovator whose decades of plant experimentation led to the establishment of Alabama’s official state flower—the camelia! (Fun fact: the official name of Alabama’s camellia is Sawada’s Dream, which Sawada considered to have the perfect color, shape and size)
Some lived centuries ago. Others are shaping Alabama today.
The exhibit spotlights modern leaders like Dr. Carlos Alemán of ¡HiCA!—You may know them best from their annual tamale sale. ((L) Nathan Watson / Bham Now, (R) ¡HiCA!)
Revolutionary Roots doesn’t treat history as something that ended in the past—it shows how change is ongoing.
The exhibit also highlights modern trailblazers such as Dr. Carlos E. Alemán, CEO of the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (¡HiCA!). Then there’s Ashley M. Jones, Alabama’s Poet Laureate, who made history in 2021 as the youngest person—and first person of color—to hold the role.
More Birmingham history on display
While you’re at the museum, you can also check out plenty of other pieces of Birmingham history including:
- Birmingham’s inception + early history
- The creation of Vulcan by Giuseppe Moretti
- Vulcan’s debut at the Worlds Fair 1904
- Early Birmingham artifacts + commemorative pieces
See Revolutionary Roots for yourself
This year-long exhibit paints a fuller, more honest portrait of Alabama: unexpected, courageous and constantly evolving.
Revolutionary Roots is now open at Vulcan Park & Museum and will run through January 2027. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, this is one Birmingham experience worth carving out time for.
- Location: 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10AM-8PM | Friday-Saturday 10AM-9PM
- Cost: $8
- Buy tickets online or at the Ticket Booth inside
Go see the stories behind the roots + leave with a whole new perspective on Alabama. Visit Vulcan Park & Museum to learn more.
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