Event Summary
oin Landmark Events historian Bill Potter as we explore three unique sites in Birmingham on a one-day tour that is truly a Patriot’s Paradise! We will start at the Washington Museum, a magnificently unique museum that houses the largest collection of George Washington family heirlooms outside of Mount Vernon. The American Village in Montevallo is our next stop where they have recreated iconic sites of American history, including the Oval Office, the Old North Bridge from Concord, Bruton Parish from Williamsburg, Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and many more! Our final stop will be the solemn and serene Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery where almost 300 soldiers are buried, each with a story worth telling. We will give honor to these men and introduce you to a few of them in detail.
It was so wonderful to hear about history from a Christian perspective and to fellowship with other Christians!” —Traci W.
Tour Highlights
Washington Museum
The rural countryside east and south of Birmingham, Alabama is home to some surprising historical sites, some of which reach back in time to reconstruct the early days of the republic. Charlotte Smith-Weaver, a sixth-generation granddaughter of Martha Washington, ended her days in Shelby County, Alabama. Through the efforts of Columbiana banker and philanthropist Karl C. Harrison, Washington family artifacts and heirlooms preserved by Mrs. Smith-Weaver were installed in an elegant museum. From Martha Washinton’s prayer book to an original tin-type of Robert E. Lee, whose wife was Martha’s granddaughter, The Washington Museum holds the largest collection of Washington family heirlooms outside of Mount Vernon. Since the year 2000, the museum has been attached to the Columbiana library and has been featured in magazines and been the recipient of a number of special awards and honors. Join with historian Dr. Bill Potter as we meet up with the curator Don Relyea and visit the artifacts from the life of the first President and his wife.
American Village
Is Boston too far away? Would you like to see Mt. Vernon but it’s too cold to drive there? You don’t have time to be arrested and spend years in prison for visiting the nation’s capitol without permission? Would you like to give your children a taste of the historic freedoms embodied in the Constitution and represented in the art and architecture of reconstructed iconic American historic sites? Have you read the book Alabamians Forward! but would like to honor our veterans in a tangible way? Join us for a tour of Alabama’s foremost historical teaching campus at the American Village in Montevallo. The patriotic vision of a few men has come to fruition at the village in more than twenty sites which remind us of the uniqueness and vitality of American liberty. From the Concord Bridge to the Oval Office, from the colonial Church to the Courthouse, we will survey what it means to be an American and the necessity of protecting freedom and the true story of our past in every generation.
Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery
From 1861-1865 Alabama fought for its independence alongside her sister states of the Confederacy. Estimates of the number of Confederate soldiers who died in the war range upwards of 260,000—a devastating and unforgettable statistic. In every encampment and after every battle, the sick and wounded were collected up and sent to hospitals away from the field, where many perished from wounds or disease. The railroads were essential to the success of medical efforts and Alabama’s rail lines were among the number which led to hospitals. Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery, owned and cared for by the Shelby County Historical Society near Calera, holds the remains of 277 Confederate Veterans—189 whose names are known and 180 known only to God. We plan to visit those graves and give honor to the men who paid the ultimate price for their country.
Ticket Pricing
Included in Registration
- Distinctly Christian interpretation
- All venue admissions
- All guide fees and gratuities
- Individual electronic headsets so you won’t miss a word!
- Sweet Christian Fellowship
- Study Preparation section
Tickets
(Groups of 5 or more save 5%)
No risk registration—all cancellations are 100% refundable at any time
Adult (18+) $79.00
Youth (5-17) $49.00
Child (0-5)FREEDefinitely worth more than a month’s worth of book lessons! And to be remembered for so much longer! Best of all, the tour was Christ-centered in every aspect. Thank you Landmark for precious home school memories for our family!” —Rena B.
Event Speakers
Bill Potter
An experienced historian and avid bibliophile, Dr. Bill Potter combines a lifelong study of American history with an uncommon ability to captivate audiences of all ages as he traces the providential acts of God throughout the ages. He has taught history in high schools and colleges, has led many tours of American and European historical sites and brings to each event a wealth of experience and knowledge. An experienced researcher and writer, Dr. Potter possesses a practical knowledge of antiquarian books, documents, and artifacts and has published several short books and has penned many articles and book reviews for publication. Dr. Potter has earned a well-deserved reputation as a man gifted in communicating the story of God’s providential hand in American history. As a father of eight children, he appreciates the necessity of passing on to the succeeding generations the richness of both our regional and national history. He and his wife, Leslie, reside in Virginia.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, February 19
| 9:30am | Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington 50 Lester Street, Columbiana |
| 11:30am | American Village 3727 Highway 119, Montevallo |
| 3:00pm | Shelby Springs Confederate Cemetery 4504 Co Rd 42, Calera |
Accommodations
We are researching hotels and will post our selection as soon as it is made. You are welcome to stay wherever you like, of course.
We find TripAdvisor and VRBO to be helpful sites in researching accommodations.
Transportation
This is one of our Car Tours, the ultimate in flexibility and frugality. Drive your own vehicle and meet us at the various venues to receive accurate biblical interpretation from our outstanding guides. You will have time to take a “house tour”, explore areas of your interest and stop in the gift shop before heading to the next location. Want to skip a venue? Feel free, we will let you know how to reunite with the group when you are ready. We take care of the reservations and payments, and provide you with a detailed schedule. You won’t miss a word with our wireless headsets that allow you to peruse the area while we tell you all about it. Freedom—it’s a beautiful thing.
Legacy Coalition Conference
FEBRUARY 21-22
Landmark Events is sponsoring the 2025 Legacy Grandparenting Summit at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, 2017 Columbiana Rd, Vestavia Hills, AL. If you are a grandparent, this may be something you are interested in.
Upcoming Events
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