BCHGS holds autumn meeting
BY RAY VAN COR
The Grenville Standard
The Georgiana Opry House hosted the quarterly autumn meeting of the Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society (BCHGS) Sunday, Oct. 26.
BCHGS President Pamala Nolan welcomed everyone. Nolan gave a tribute to the Society’s deceased immediate past President, Barbara Middleton.
Nolan said, “Although Middleton is still greatly missed, she would have been proud of the programs BCHGS held in 2025. A beautiful thing is happening today because three local nonprofits have come together all with the goal of preserving history.”
BCHGS Vice President Melanie Pitts Stonestreet discussed programs for 2026 and the Society’s plans to celebrate the semi-quincentennial.
Stonestreet stated that the Society strives to hold programs across Butler County.
Tracy Eason, owner of the Georgiana Opry House, spoke and unveiled a historical film of Georgiana in the 1940s and 1950s which was donated.
A new roof was just installed through funds from a grant and she discussed exciting programming coming up in the next few months.
Morris Middleton and Gail Piggott of the Georgiana Historical Landmark Preservation Society spoke of the historical bridge that spans the railroad in downtown Georgiana, stating it is the only bridge of its type in Alabama.
The structure was built in 1895 by the L&N railroad and was slated for destruction in 2018 when it was literally saved at the last minute when it was deeded to the city of Georgian in 2019.
They are actively seeking donations and grants to preserve the bridge.
For more information, follow the Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society, the Georgiana Opry House, and the Georgiana Historical Landmark Preservation Society on social media.
