People, Power, Progress: Alabama Power Opens Exhibit Celebrating State’s Development

At the end of the 19th century^Th In the 19th century, more than 90% of Alabama had no access to electricity, people still lit their homes with candles or kerosene lanterns, and most cooking still took place on wood stoves. However, on December 4, 1906, the state’s fortunes changed forever with the founding of Alabama Power.

Founded by the company’s first president, William Patrick Lay, along with James Mitchell and Thomas W. Martin, the company’s first steam power plant opened in Gadsden in 1913, followed the next year by its first hydroelectric dam in 1914. From then on, the use of electricity in Alabama homes began to spread rapidly as the company expanded its infrastructure.

Alabama Power’s Art Deco building in downtown Birmingham opened in 1925 and symbolizes not only the company’s growth, but also the state’s rapid development. Constructed entirely of Alabama materials, the building is a reminder not only of the state’s past, but also of its bright future, which should be full of progress.

Now, almost exactly 118 years after its founding, the company is once again celebrating the state’s progress.

In early November, Alabama Power opened its first permanent exhibition on the ground floor of the 1925 building, entitled For service to Alabama. The exhibition focuses on the central narrative of Alabama Power’s role in the state’s development and tells the story of humanity that enriched the company’s history.

To tell this story, the exhibition’s creators focused on three key elements.

“I have always believed in art and stories and narratives that there is strength in odd numbers,” said Dan Bynum, communications specialist at Alabama Power, who helped develop the exhibit. “I said, ‘Let’s break this down into three categories,’ so we did it with people, power and progress. A common thread that ran through all three was humanity. So when you look at the exhibition and each individual case, you will see humanity. Not just the large sepia image on the back of each case, but also the items inside. All items require handwork or need to be touched by a human or created by a human, and we felt that was important – especially now more than ever.”

The exhibition shows six suitcases – two suitcases each for the three categories – as well as some other larger devices from the 1920s^Th Century. Inside each case there is a wealth of items, all related to their category, the history of the company and, above all, the humanity that unites them all.

“In these cases, we decided to cram in as much as we could to make it kind of a visual overwhelm,” Bynum said. “Then when you walk into this beautiful space and the Art Deco architecture, you have these little nooks where you can discover all these gems that tell our story.”

Dedicated to the people of Alabama, the display cases are lined with artifacts that were merely everyday household items in their time but help tell the story of the state’s development: a waffle iron, a coffee maker, an electric heater – all household appliances that we take with us Nowadays they were taken for granted, but at the beginning of the development of the state they were luxury goods.

Caitlin Bowron is an archivist for Alabama Power and, along with Bynum, helped create the narrative for the exhibit. For Bowron, her favorite artifacts are the simplest.

“Most people at home don’t romanticize the toaster in their kitchen, but it is a familiar item that we all connect with,” she said. “Appliances – especially kitchen appliances – are things we see every day and that provide us with a service, and that’s exactly what Alabama Power did at the turn of the century: power access to the state of Alabama.” These are the objects people could use now Doing things quicker and easier, so I think it’s really cool to have artifacts like a waffle iron from 100 years ago.”

The Power Cases showcase artifacts revolving around the generation and transmission of energy throughout the state, while the Progress Cases showcase technology developed as the state developed. On a wall halfway between the two people cases sits an old roll-top desk, the desk Martin used when he served as president of the company.

On one wall of the showroom is a mural with a map of Alabama highlighting the company’s dams. In the center of the room, a two-meter-tall statue of Electra stands proudly above the exhibit. The statue is a scale model of the 23-foot-tall statue atop the 16-story 1925 building.

For Bowron, Elektra’s presence unifies the exhibition.

“Electra, she is synonymous with Alabama Power, she represents progress and power, and she is a connection to the people, so she ties into our narrative for the exhibit,” Bowron said. “As synonymous with Alabama Power, it should be a landmark for the company and business, but also a symbol of progress and hope. It’s really special to me that she’s here and we’re talking about her and people can see her.”

For service to Alabama is open to the public and free of charge for guests. If guests are interested in visiting, they can stop by the security desk in the atrium at Alabama Power, 600 18th St. North, Birmingham, AL 35203. Simply register and receive a visitor pass. The exhibition also welcomes schools and larger tour groups, but interested parties are asked to contact Bowron directly at [email protected].

Reddy Kilowatt greets guests as they approach the “For the Service of Alabama” exhibit. (Joey Blackwell/Alabama News Center)

Inside the Progress housing is a radio and microphone with a sign talking about Alabama’s first radio station, WSY. (Joey Blackwell/Alabama News Center)

A Reddy Kilowatt hard hat developed by Alabama Power along with other marketing materials. (Joey Blackwell/Alabama News Center)

The main area of ​​the “For the Service of Alabama” exhibit in the 1925 building. (Joey Blackwell / Alabama News Center)

The main entrance to the 1925 building where the exhibition is located. (Joey Blackwell/Alabama News Center)

Thomas W. Martin’s desk stands between the two people suitcases in the exhibition. (Joey Blackwell/Alabama News Center)

An old electric stove/oven and a refrigerator are on display in the exhibition. (Joey Blackwell/Alabama News Center)

A map detailing Alabama Power’s dams across the state. (Joey Blackwell/Alabama News Center)