For years, Louise Ayer Tommie of Bessemer has been an ardent historic preservationist. A native of Greenville, this engaging lady is a past president of the West Jefferson County Historical Society. Louise is unwavering in her support of the society and loves serving as chairman of the historical society’s McAdory House on Eastern Valley Road. An Episcopalian, Louise has been a member of historic Trinity Episcopal Church in Bessemer since 1963. She is an avid bird watcher and regularly travels extensively to observe birds.
This lovely lady is also a past president of the Birmingham Audubon Society. This patron of the society is always available to conduct tours of the three historic houses the society owns: the McAdory, Owen and Sadler house plantations. She has also served as chairman of the board of the Bessemer Hall of History Museum. Louise’s enthusiasm is contagious as she continues her work of assuring the preservation of the history, and sharing her knowledge, of not only the West Jefferson County Historical Society but of West Jefferson County.
What is the history of the historical society?
Louise: The society is a nonprofit organization that was organized in 1972. The organization was established for the purpose of preserving the three historic pioneer houses along Eastern Valley Road as well as the history of West Jefferson County. The society functions as a historical, charitable, educational and scientific organization.
What is the mission of the organization?
Louise: The mission of the society is to restore, preserve and maintain the original homesteads and make them available to the public for future generations. Also, to foster, to stimulate and to increase the knowledge of the history of West Jefferson County and to promote the three historic houses.
What is important to you as a member of the historical society?
Louise: As a student of pioneer history, I have been dedicated to the preservation of the history of the McAdory House, circa 1840, the Owen House, circa 1833, and the Sadler House, circa 1838, pioneer houses. I have worked and continue to work at the McAdory House, focused on the ongoing maintenance and sharing the history of the house through education.
Tell me about your family.
Louise: I am the older of the two children of the late Louise and Dr. Aubrey Stabler Sr. of Greenville. For 61 years I was married to the late Joseph Dale Tommie Sr., and we had two children, Joe Jr. and Alison Lewis. I have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Why is the McAdory House significant?
Louise: The McAdory House Plantation was built circa 1840 by Thomas McAdory. The house was put together with hand-hewn logs and wooden pegs. There is a dogtrot and two chimneys built of hand-cut stone. Most importantly, Bessemer’s first mayor, Robert McAdory, and Thomas McAdory Owen, founder of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, were both born in the house.
What attracted you to birdwatching?
Louise: I was introduced to birding by my late father, Dr. Aubrey Stabler Sr. Growing up in Greenville, we enjoyed looking at cardinals and purple martins. I have identified over 80 species of birds across the United States, Canada and Mexico. I was honored to have driven the noted bird author Tom Imhof during his older years to observe birds.