Historic Mobile Preservation Society

01/26/2026

From the Mobile Historic Society

The Mobile Historic Society Archives include this watercolor painted by Kate Phillips, the wife of Reverand Sidney Phillips, Sr. and mother of Dr. Sidney Phillips, Jr, and Katherine Phillips Singer.

The watercolor was probably painted in the 1920’s. It includes images that appears to be Mobile County and the six flags that have flown over the City of Mobile. But the date “1699” is confusing since the history of Mobile says that Mobile was founded in 1702.

There are some early references that say Mobile was founded in 1702 at the mouth of Dog River, but we haven’t found anything that suggests a founding date for Mobile other than 1702.

Any ideas about why this watercolor bears the “1699” date or anything that happened in this area in 1699 that might have prompted Mrs. Phillips to put that date on this painting?

12/09/2025

12/09/2025

Christmas at Oakleigh. Just a sample of the work that goes into getting ready.

12/05/2025

12/05/2025

Join us for the Annual Holiday Homes Tour, Saturday, December 13, 10 to 5. Homes, a church, and a guardhouse, plus Oakleigh decorated for a Victorian Christmas, and an assortment of events at Oakleigh.
Tickets at www.historicmobile.org/events

12/03/2025

The Historic Mobile Preservation Society is heartbroken to hear of the loss of the legendary Ann Bedsole. Mrs. Bedsole was a tireless supporter of preserving the architectural treasures of Alabama’s oldest city. Her support of the Historic Mobile Preservation Society has benefited generations of Mobilians who appreciate the built environment of our lovely city. A trailblazer in state politics, Bedsole was the first woman to serve in Alabama’s Senate and the first Republican woman to serve in the State House of Representatives. Mrs. Bedsole was awarded Mobilian of the Year in 1993 for her tireless community engagement in her adopted hometown. Her support in creating the Alabama School of Math and Science led to an educational renaissance in Mobile and has produced countless successful community members. Her efforts in planning Mobile’s Tri-Centennial in 2002 were extraordinary to say the least. Mobile’s humanities community will not be the same without this great lady.

12/01/2025

After summering in Newport, at the invitation of the Preservation Society there, Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont has returned to Oakleigh, tanned and rested, for the Christmas season. Alva’s “summer cottage”, Marble House, is located in Newport and is now owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County. It was designed by Richard Morris Hunt in the Beaux Arts style and has 50 rooms, and, though Oakleigh is much less opulent, Alva seems happy to be “home”.
You can see Alva by visiting Oakleigh for a tour on Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 10 to 3, and at the Annual Holiday Homes Tour on Saturday, December 13, from 10 to 5. Tickets available at www.historic mobile.org/events.

11/18/2025

We look forward to seeing you at our Annual Holiday Homes Tour on Saturday, December 13, 2025! Purchase your tickets today at https://www.historicmobile.org/event-details-registration/2025-annual-holiday-homes-tour

11/12/2025

From the Archives

The Historic Society Archives are full of interesting tidbits about Mobile, but the real joy in working with those archives is bringing together tidbits to form a bigger picture of some part of Mobile’s history.
In this instalment of “From the Archives”, we have brought together some tidbits about Mobile’s waterfront in the mid-1800’s which we think draws a picture of just how busy and even exotic that waterfront was at that time.
The map is a portion of Robertson’s 1852 map of downtown Mobile, showing that there was at least one wharf at the east end of every east-west street in downtown Mobile.
Those wharves were the temporary homes of bay-boats that ran between Mobile and the Eastern Shore, riverboats that plied the waters of Alabama rivers carrying passengers, supplies, and lots and lots of cotton, and clipper ships, brigs, and schooners from all over, some of which are pictured.

11/01/2025

Register here > https://www.historicmobile.org/event-details-registration/mobiles-red-light-district

07/08/2025

HISTORIC MOBILE PRESERVATION SOCIETY NAMES NEW DIRECTOR
The Historic Mobile Preservation Society board has named Keith Hardison as its new executive director. Mr. Hardison has extensive experience leading history museums and sites, as well as statewide historical organizations. His most recent position was as director of interpretation for Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, the home of the nation’s seventh president. Hardison relocated to the Gulf Coast to be near family. He and his wife specifically chose to reside in Mobile because of its rich history, numerous cultural amenities, and great natural beauty.
Hardison has enjoyed the range of positions in which he has served but notes, “There is something special about working with a local historic site such as Oakleigh, which allows you to experience history more deeply and engage with the public more directly. I am also honored to be working for the Historic Mobile Preservation Society, one of the oldest preservation organizations in Alabama, which has labored to preserve and interpret the amazing history of this area for 90 years. I look forward to serving with the organization’s dedicated leadership to achieve even greater success in the future.”
HMPS board president Stephanie Richardson remarked, “The Board is pleased to welcome Keith Hardison as the director of the Historic Oakleigh House Museum. We are excited to see his skills and expertise in action as he begins this new chapter.”

05/28/2025

GREAT NEWS!
Soft Re-opening!
Starting immediately, Oakleigh will be open Wednesday through Saturday for tours at 10, 11, 2, and 3.