No monkeying around: Preservation campaign launches at Huntsville bar 

HUNTSVILLE – The City of Huntsville is holding a downtown hotel rooftop ceremony Thursday morning in advance of May’s Historic Preservation Month and the #PeopleSavingPlacesHSV campaign.

The event is at 10 a.m. at Baker & Able, the bar atop 106 Jefferson named for pioneering monkeys Baker & Able. The two primates are still celebrated for their test-flight contributions to America’s space exploration and is the Hilton-aligned hotel’s nod to Huntsville’s vital role then and now in that history.

Mayor Tommy Battle, City Preservation Planner Katie Stamps, City of Huntsville Planning Commission Chair Les Tillery and Singing River Trail Executive Director Dr. John Kvach are scheduled to attend the ceremony.

This year, Huntsville will celebrate the people saving places in the community for Historic Preservation Month with an emphasis on downtown Huntsville preservation.

Spearheaded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Preservation Month is celebrated each May to heighten awareness about the buildings and places that are part of shared history.

This year’s #PeopleSavingPlacesHSV campaign will showcase events and social media posts highlighting events and opportunities for May Preservation Month.

• May 2 – “The Economics of Historic Preservation” with Donovan Rypkema, 11 a.m., Ridley Hall, Church of the Nativity, 208 Eustis Ave.
• May 4 – Five Points PorchFest, 4-9 p.m.
• May 11 & May 18 – Footsteps of History: Downtown Huntsville Walking Tours, 10 a.m., led by City Preservation Planner Katie Stamps
• May 16 – Preservation Happy Hour, 5-6 p.m., Baker & Able

Residents are invited to participate on social media by sharing their favorite historic places using the hashtag #PeopleSavingPlacesHsv.

Learn more by following the hashtag #PeopleSavingPlacesHsv and visiting HHPC’s Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on the City’s Historic Preservation Month celebration, click here.