In March, I made a rare trip home to the South, and who would have thought I'd find a patch anywhere inside a 4 hour radius of where I grew up that I did not already have? I actually picked up not one, but two patches in just a matter of a few hours! Pretty awesome if you ask me. I guess I'll give some of the credit to my sister Carly, who now lives in Birmingham, Alabama. On the day we flew in, I had the opportunity to see her new home for the first time, and then she made sure to take me to some of the most significant sites in the city.
Our first stop was Vulcan Park and Museum. Did you know that Birmingham boasts the largest cast-iron statue in the world? Sculpted by Guiseppe Moretti, Vulcan was commissioned by the city of Birmingham to represent the city at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Why a huge cast-iron sculpture of a Roman God, you ask? By the beginning of the 20th century, Birmingham came to be known as the "Magic City," attracting a large number of migrant workers to harness its rich natural resources: iron, coal and limestone. Named for the Roman god of fire and forge, Vulcan signifies the history of Birmingham's iron and coal industry.
Vulcan stands at 56 feet tall on a 124 foot pedestal and weighs 101,200 pounds. You can take an elevator to the top of the pedestal or climb the stairs to get a great view of the city of Birmingham. If you ever visit the park, don't miss the museum center, which has some great exhibits and a very friendly staff.
Thanks, Carly, for taking me to see this great monument to American industry! (Now that I've given you a shout-out on my blog, maybe you'll start following me?) ;-)
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