Historical markers unveiled at Heritage Hall

One of the most historic buildings in Trussville is now decorated as such.

The Trussville Historical Society in April unveiled a new historical marker, as well as a bench and plaque honoring longtime Trussville historian Earl Massey’s contributions to historical preservation, at Heritage Hall. 

Heritage Hall, originally the general retail store and service station for the Cahaba Project, was completed in 1938 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program. The store and station were operated by the Cahaba Cooperative Association to serve the Cahaba Project with fuel, food, dairy products, clothing, drugs, furniture and merchandise. In later years, the building served as a community center, gymnasium, band room and more. 

In 1951, four years after Trussville incorporated as a town, the town bought the general store to establish a community center and library. In 1988, on the building’s 50th anniversary, the building underwent a restoration and was renamed Heritage Hall, where it became home to the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce, Trussville Historical Museum and Arts Council of Trussville Area.

In recent months, the city of Trussville has made various repairs to Heritage Hall, including to the roof, the heating and air system and the exterior. The Trussville City Council last year authorized $19,000 toward the repainting and repairing of Heritage Hall and ACTA Theatre. 

“This building has served so many purposes in Trussville over the years, but today it’s just a historic site for Trussville,” said Mayor Buddy Choat. “We have schoolchildren who come through here and learn about the history of Trussville. The neighborhood that surrounds it is very historic. We’re just proud to have a building like this in Trussville and what it means to so many people. If you get a chance, come by and read about the history, tour the museum. I think you’ll be amazed.”

Nina Orr, a member of the Trussville Historical Society, remembered the building as a band room when she attended nearby Hewitt High School, now Cahaba Elementary School. She dressed out as a marching band member before learning to play her saxophone. 

“Being a member of the band didn’t last long,” Orr joked. 

Dennis Lesley’s fondest memory of the building came during its time serving as the band room. During concert band season, it was decided to add cannon fire accents to “Battle Hymn of the Republic” using a makeshift cannon of 55-gallon drums welded together. While practicing in the band room, a shotgun — using blanks — fired into a hole in the side of the drums and — boom. The concussion from the blast tore up the drop tile ceiling and took out a light fixture.

“Well, needless to say, we didn’t practice it anymore in that room,” Lesley said. “We took it into the gym, where we were going to be playing it.”

Jane Alexander, also a Trussville Historical Society member, said she participated in ballroom dancing lessons inside the building. She was a cheerleader at Hewitt High School and, when she was 15 years old, spent a weekend of initiation inside the building with other cheerleaders.

“I can’t talk about anything else,” Alexander said, joking. “I wouldn’t want anyone else to know about exactly what happened. But it was a fun time in my life and something that I’ve always remembered. Those young ladies are still very good friends of mine, even though I don’t see them often.”

After the historical marker was unveiled, the Massey Bench and accompanying plaque were also revealed in honor of Earl Massey, who, according to the plaque, “spent much of his adult life collecting artifacts, helping to establish the museum and writing about the people of Trussville and their history.” The memorial bench includes a note that states that it is in memory of Earl Massey for “his lifelong passion for history and his journey collecting the history of Trussville.” He served on the Trussville Historical Board from 1983 until 2007 and co-authored “Trussville Through the Years” with his wife, Carol, in the 1980s. His passion became hers.

Carol Massey unveiled the bench and plaque in front of dozens of relatives and supporters. While Massey did not speak publicly in front of the 50 or so gathered guests, she wore a personalized shirt that included a photo of her and Earl. Printed above the photo were two words: “Endless Love.”