HILLSBORO-The Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) and Pond Spring: The Home of General Joe Wheeler invite you to a celebration of heritage, culture, and cars. The historic Wheeler home will host the annual General Joe Wheeler’s Birthday Celebration on Saturday, September 14 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Site Director Bruce Lipscombe has partnered with a number of local organizations to create a full festive atmosphere in honor of what would have been the General’s 183rd birthday.
This year’s soirée comes with a few new surprises, including a classic car show sponsored by the Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department. Registration for the car show is $15 per vehicle entered and begins at 8:00 am on site.
Patrons will also be treated to a Dulcimer concert by the Sweet Tones, birthday cake from a Wheeler family recipe (sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy), watermelon (sponsored by Lawrence County Historic Society), flag exhibit presentation, and ongoing house tours, camp reenactment, food, drinks (sponsored by Pepsi), and continuous blacksmith exhibitions.
What birthday isn’t complete without a little artillery? General Joe’s celebration will be one heard around the county, accentuated with cannon fire. Ongoing 
demonstrations will occur courtesy of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans McBride Camp, who sponsor the battery’s presence at the event.
Another featured element for the day includes a sign dedication for new interpretive panels, made possible by a grant from Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.
Entrance to the grounds to view the reenactment, the concert, cake (while it lasts), and Pepsi products are free. Admission to the Wheeler House is $8 adults, $5 seniors/college students/military, $3 children 6-18, and free for children under 6. Tours of the lavish Victorian-era home will be offered from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Confederate general, a U.S. congressman, and a Spanish-American War general, the life of General Joe Wheeler was one of service to his country. Following the Civil War, Wheeler became a national symbol for reunification and reconciliation. His 1868 home is the center point of the 50-acre historic site owned and operated by the Alabama Historical Commission. The collection contains around 10,000 objects, furnishings, clothing, and papers associated with the family.
Pond Spring is located in Lawrence County in Hillsboro, three miles east of Courtland, on Alabama Highway 20 (US Alt. 72).
The Alabama Historical Commission protects, preserves, and interprets Alabama’s historic places and is the State Historic Preservation Office. To learn more about Pond Spring, or the Alabama Historical Commission, please visit www.ahc.alabama.gov.
About Pond Spring: The General Joe Wheeler Home
Wheeler was a legendary Confederate general, a U.S. congressman, and a Spanish American War general. Following the Civil War, Wheeler became a national symbol for reunification and reconciliation. His 1870s home is the center point of the 50-acre historic site owned by the Historical Commission. The collection contains around 10,000 objects, furnishings, clothing, and papers associated with the family. Pond Spring, the General Joe Wheeler Home, a historic property of the Alabama Historical Commission, is located in Lawrence County in Hillsboro, three miles east of Courtland, on Alabama Highway 20 (US Alt. 72).
Media Release/Andi Martin/Marketing and Public Relations Manager Alabama Historical Commission
