Wilcox Historical Society launches $500K renovation of Wilcox Female Institute in Camden

The Wilcox Historical Society has launched a $500,000 restoration of their headquarters, the Wilcox Female Institute, starting in September.

The project will restore the Institute’s bell tower and balcony, return its original bell to the tower, install a new cedar shake roof, rehabilitate the second floor and create the Women of Wilcox Museum and a new genealogical research center.

WHS President Lance Britt said the project has been in the works for 30 years.

The society marked the occasion with a contract signing at the Institute on Sunday. Chris Pringle Construction from Mobile will restore the bell tower and balcony and reinstall the Institute’s original bell. 

“This is a momentous day for our Historic Society, Camden, and Wilcox County,” Britt said. “We will be investing over half a million dollars to complete the restoration, and we have every dollar needed in the bank."

Britt said they will "start at the top and work our way down."

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"When finished, the Institute will once again be a beautiful building we can all be proud of and a historic center unlike any in the region,” he said.

The building will get new electrical and HVAC systems among other projects. The Women of Wilcox museum will include a gallery/meeting space and a state-of-the-art genealogical research center to house historic documents, garments and other Wilcox County artifacts.

The museum will feature achievements of successful women from Wilcox County, including Gov. Kay Ivey, retired University of Alabama President Judy Bonner, Lt. Col. Sara Harris, American Jazz Pianist/Educator Consuelo Lee, author Viola Goode Liddell, the Gee's Bend Quilters and more.

“The genealogical/research center will be a repository of our shared history for generations to come," Britt said. "This is a realization of a dream 30 years in the making.” 

Over 70 members and guests attended Sunday’s meeting and signing. The guest speakers were internet influencers Laine and Kevin Berry, co-founders of Our Restoration Nation. Their presentation, There is No Such Thing as a Tear Down, focused on the importance of preservation of historic structures. A reception followed to celebrate the restoration of the Female Institute.

For more information on the Wilcox Historical Society and its restoration projects, go to wilcoxhistoricalsociety.org.