The Baldwin County Historical Society will host its summer quarterly meeting on Sunday, July 16, in Fairhope at 2:30 p.m. at the University of South Alabama Fairhope Campus.

Membership is not required for attendance at programs and meetings, and all are open to the public.

The meeting promises to be an educational and entertaining journey back in time. Join local author, librarian and public historian Alan Samry for his presentation on the early years of the Baldwin County Historical Society.

"History Nerds 100 Years Ago: The Faces and Places of Our Society Founders" traces two librarians and other prominent county leaders as they organized the first Alabama county historical society in 1923. Samry will put the founders into perspective as he traces the organization and its early leaders from 1923 until the publication of the society's book, "A Brief History of Baldwin County."

The society was comprised of history nerds ranging from lawyers, judges, doctors, educators, bankers, retirees and armchair enthusiasts with names like Comings, Albers, Cross, Stapleton, Holmes, Winberg and Rickarby to name a few.

Willie Taylor, retired educator and author of "Reaching Reality East of Mobile Bay," will talk briefly about her African American descendants in Baldwin County. She'll also connect the late authors Florence and Richard Scott and the historical society.

The afternoon promises to be a who's who and who's where of early Baldwin County in portraits, images of member homes and local history sites to connect the present society members and guests with their doppelgangers from 100 years ago.

Inquiries may be submitted to bchistsoc@gmail.com.

The Baldwin County Historical Society held its inaugural meeting in the fall of 1923 at Blakeley. During 2023, the BCHS will have presented several programs and events to commemorate the founders and the history of the society, beginning in January and culminating with a celebration at Blakeley in October.

The meetings for the year will highlight the regions of the county and be a time of hearing about some of the local characters, folklore and stories that make each area unique.