The Butler County Historical & Genealogical Society, founded in 1964, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Butler County and its people. Our Research Room in the Greenville-Butler County Public Library is free to the public and open during regular library hours.
Butler County is a county older than the state of Alabama. We were created on December 13, 1819 -- one day before Alabama became a state. Our first county seat was at Fort Dale, where a large pioneer community grew into existence around the fort built by Capt. Sam Dale in spring 1818 near the Federal Road. Fort Dale was the site of Butler County's first school, first church and first Masonic lodge. It was one of our first voting precincts, and the first court session in the county was held under the trees around the fort. In 1822, the county seat was moved to Greenville (first called "Butlerville"), where it remains today.
The Butler County courthouse burned in April 1853, but our Historical Society has collected a vast amount of records to bridge the gap caused by this unfortunate occurrence. There ARE many surviving records before 1853 -- just ask us!
Founding members worked hard on important preservation projects: surveying cemeteries, transcribing early county documents, censuses, family bibles, diaries and letters, visiting elderly residents and writing their stories, and more.
The community continues to benefit from these volunteer efforts today as The Butler County Historical and Genealogical Society provides information and research opportunities to members and the public. Visitors may explore their heritage at the BCHGS research room in Greenville or from a distance through the Society’s many publications.
Our genealogical and historical research collection includes vertical files (surnames, places, events, organizations, schools, churches, businesses, etc.), books, photographs, maps, family bibles, historical manuscripts and more.
We offer history presentations when requested for schools, civic organizations, and other groups.
We maintain our Society's historical and genealogical collection in our Research Room in the local public library building, which has a meeting room, rest rooms, copy machines, computers, and other public library facilities.
Access: General Public
Appointment required: False
We offer research in our collection for a fee.
"A Taste of Butler County, Alabama: Treasured Family Recipes of the Butler County Historical Society" is our cookbook published to celebrate the Society's 40th anniversary. Reprinted again and again, it's filled with over 250 pages of wonderful family photos, heirloom recipes and priceless stories and memories. Only $12 plus $3 shipping per copy! Send your check or money order for $15 per book to:
BCHGS COOKBOOK, P. O. Box 561, Greenville, AL 36037
Our Research Room is open during public library hours at the Greenville-Butler County Public Library, Greenville, Alabama 36037
Free