The Daphne Public Library is proud to present Harriet Outlaw as the August speaker for its monthly Local History Forum. The forum will meet in the Library Community Room at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 4, with light refreshments sponsored by the Friends of the Daphne Library. The Local History Forum seeks to inform, inspire, and spread the word about collections, sites, and events of local historical interest. The forum is designed to work in coordination with the Daphne Special Collections and the Daphne Oral History Project, both facilitated by Library Director Tonja Young, in scanning local photographs and maps, as well as collecting local oral history interviews and written materials for future research of our Eastern Shore history.

Harriet Brill Outlaw is an Eastern Shore resident who simply loves old photographs and the stories they tell. She and co-author John Lewis recently published Baldwin County, an Arcadia publication of old photographs of Baldwin County telling the stories of the early people who came to settle here—the ways they came, the towns they settled, the jobs they performed, and the ways they had fun. The Mobile Bay Magazine feature, A Road Trip Through Baldwin County, Fall, 2009, uses old photographs enhanced by Mr. Lewis to take the reader on a journey through the county of 100 years ago.

Ms. Outlaw is a retired educator who served in the Baldwin County School system as a teacher, social studies supervisor, and also in the communications department before her retirement in 2006. She has remained active in the Little Red Schoolhouse Museum living history programs in Bay Minette and in local historical projects. Ms. Outlaw has also co-produced a series of documentaries on historic schools in the county and on historical sites, and volunteers at the historic Swift Coles House in Bon Secour.

Mr. Lewis is owner of the Gallery of Photographs in Bay Minette. His artwork has been on display in many venues throughout the south. John collects, restores and enhances vintage photographs. His work has also been featured in Mobile Bay Magazine for several issues.

The August forum will feature a slide presentation of old photographs gathered from throughout the county and will tell the story of the history of the county, highlighting the growth of the Eastern Shore. Artwork by Mr. Lewis will be on display. Residents are encouraged to bring old photographs of Baldwin County to share with other participants.