The Wilcox Historical Society was born from an act of community courage. In 1970, a group of concerned citizens came together with a single urgent purpose: to save the Wilcox Female Institute from demolition. The building — erected in 1849 and long known as the “Pride of Wilcox County” — was facing the wrecking ball. The community refused to let it fall. Their determination gave rise to a nonprofit that has now spent more than five decades preserving the stories, landmarks, and traditions of Wilcox County, Alabama.
Today, the Wilcox Historical Society is headquartered in the building it saved. The Society serves the community through preservation projects, educational programs, lectures, publications, genealogical research support, and signature events — most notably its annual Tour of Homes, its primary revenue-generating program and an important driver of rural heritage tourism.
In spring 2026, the Tour drew visitors from at least 19 states and Norway. More than 1,034 tickets were sold or distributed, and more than 600 guests attended the Breakfast at The Brittany House at Oak Hill. Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center reported a 44% increase in sales and a 42% increase in Saturday visitors compared with the 2022 Furman Tour. The Tour does not simply raise funds for WHS — it generates measurable economic activity and tax revenue for Wilcox County.
Our mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate the history of Wilcox County, Alabama. Our vision is a county where history is celebrated, preserved, and shared by all — where residents, students, and visitors alike can connect with the stories, landmarks, and traditions that define the region.
Next Stop:
Pine Apple, Alabama
Save the date for the 2027 Wilcox Historical Society Tour of Homes, coming to Pine Apple, Alabama, on March 20, 2027. This year’s Tour will open the doors to ten historic homes and two churches, along with a VIP welcome reception, guest speaker, and more. From the circa-1834 Hawthorne-Dobson Home to Greenleaves, Oak Hall, the Melton Hotel, and a circa-1912 Sears Roebuck kit house, the 2027 Tour promises a remarkable journey through Pine Apple’s architecture, stories, and hospitality.
Tickets go on sale October 1, 2026.
A Message from Our President
For more than fifty years, the Wilcox Historical Society has worked to preserve the places, stories, and traditions that make Wilcox County so special.
From restoring historic properties to expanding educational programs, events, and preservation efforts, we are building on that legacy every day. There is still much more to do, and your support makes that work possible.
We invite you to join us in preserving Wilcox County’s history and carrying it forward for generations to come.
Lance Britt
President, Wilcox Historical Society
Raise the Bell
A Historic Landmark, Reimagined
For more than 175 years, the Wilcox Female Institute has stood at the heart of Camden—and at the heart of the Wilcox Historical Society’s own story. Raise the Bell is the campaign to preserve this landmark and transform it for a new generation of public use. Through careful restoration, the Institute will become a vibrant center for history, education, research, exhibitions, lectures, and community gatherings.
This project goes far beyond saving a building. It is about returning one of Wilcox County’s most important places to public life and ensuring its story continues to be seen, studied, shared, and celebrated.
