Wilcox Historical Society visits Gov. Ivey at Governor's Mansion to recognize restoration of female institute

Gov. Kay Ivey welcomed members of the Wilcox Historical Society to the Alabama Governor’s Mansion on Wednesday for a special visit celebrating the restoration of the historic Wilcox Female Institute in her hometown of Camden.

The occasion held a special personal connection for Ivey. As a young student in Camden, she attended fifth and sixth grade at the Wilcox Female Institute and learned to play the trumpet in the school’s band room. Today, the historic building serves as the headquarters of the Wilcox Historical Society and is undergoing a major restoration.

Ivey invited the Society to begin its Montgomery Day Trip with coffee and a tour of the Governor’s Mansion. The group gathered with the Governor for photographs on the Mansion steps before beginning a full day of visits to historic sites in the capital city.

The morning also felt a bit like a Wilcox County reunion in Montgomery. Several of Governor Ivey’s longtime Camden friends and classmates, who are members of the Wilcox Historical Society, were among the trip's approximately 65 participants.

The visit came at an exciting time for the Society. Restoration work is beginning on the Wilcox Female Institute, a project representing an investment of more than $500,000 in downtown Camden. The work will preserve and rehabilitate the historic building so that it can continue to serve the Society and the community for generations to come.

Following the Governor’s Mansion visit, the group continued to the Alabama Department of Archives and History, where participants received special access to view artifacts and archival materials connected to Wilcox County. The day also included a catered lunch and visits to the First White House of the Confederacy and the Alabama State Capitol.

The Wilcox Historical Society extends its sincere appreciation to Governor Ivey and the Governor’s Mansion staff for their gracious hospitality and for making the visit such a memorable beginning to a day devoted to Alabama and Wilcox County history.