Book Signing with Mary Ann Neeley on Saturday, May 1

April 30, 2010

MONTGOMERY, Ala.--The Landmarks Foundation will honor its retired executive director, Mary Ann Neeley, on May 1 with a celebration of her new book, "The Works of Matthew Blue: Montgomery's First Historian." Join us for a reception at 1:30 p.m. at Old Alabama Town, where she will sign books and greet guests. Admission is free and attendees may bring their own books or purchase them at the event.

Published in April and launched at the Alabama Book Festival on April 17, "The Works of Matthew Blue: Montgomery's First Historian" compiles the writings and research of Matthew Powers Blue, who wrote the first history of Montgomery in 1878. Neeley has annotated Blue's history to correct errors and clear up inconsistencies, and added other material on early churches, a genealogy of the colorful Blue family, and a Civil War diary by Blue's sister, Ellen. The book also includes many 19th century photographs.

Mary Ann Oglesby Neeley has chronicled the history of Montgomery for more than five decades. Like Matthew Blue, she was born here, and among her ancestors were settlers who arrived even before his did. She is a graduate of Huntington College and was a history teacher before becoming executive director of the Landmarks Foundation. Supposedly retired, she continues to lecture, write, and research the history of Montgomery and Alabama. She frequently conducts walking tours of historic Montgomery sites, including downtown, Capitol Hill, and Oakwood Cemetery. She also organizes the annual history symposium, Cultural Crossroads, each January. She resides in Old Cloverdale with her husband, Aubrey.

Prior to the reception, guest are welcome to attend a free workshop on the "Care and Feeding of Your Old House" from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the same location. Designed for historic homeowners like those who reside in Old Cloverdale, Capitol Heights and the Garden District, this free event will feature lectures on dealing with the Architectural Review Board, "greening" of historic homes, paint colors, parasites, financing fixer-uppers, and investing in historic properties. Please call 240-4500 for more information.