Hog Heaven: A Brief History of Alabama Barbecue

Sat, 13 Sep, 2025 at 11:00 am UTC-05:00

2100 Park Pl, Birmingham, AL, United States, Alabama 35203 | Birmingham

Archives Department (Birmingham Public Library System)
Publisher/HostArchives Department (Birmingham Public Library System)
Hog Heaven: A Brief History of Alabama Barbecue
Advertisement
In the nineteenth century, barbecue played a prominent role in the campaign rallies of the state’s aspiring politicians. By the end of the century, barbecue joints started popping up near Birmingham’s steel mills. In the 1950s, pitmasters set up shop in roadside shacks to feed weary travelers venturing out on the nation’s new highways and interstates. In the 1960s, barbecue fed the Civil Rights Movement. Most recently, Alabama barbecue has adapted to foodie interest in heritage breeds and sustainability.
Mark A. Johnson, PhD, is Assistant Professor of History at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In 2016, he earned his PhD from the University of Alabama. In 2017, he published An Irresistible History of Alabama Barbecue. Currently, he’s completing a cultural history of bacon in the United States.
Mark is a participant in the AHA Young Scholars Program which brings young historians into the Speaker's Bureau to share their research with the public.
This event will take place in the 205Create Lab on the second Floor of the Main Central Branch. If you have any questions, please contact Catherine Oseas at [email protected] or 205.226.3630.
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

2100 Park Pl, Birmingham, AL, United States, Alabama 35203

Discover more events by tags:

Barbeque in Birmingham

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Birmingham

Birmingham Color Craze Run
Sat, 13 Sep at 09:00 am Birmingham Color Craze Run

Birmingham

Birmingham Color Run By Color Craze
Sat, 13 Sep at 09:00 am Birmingham Color Run By Color Craze

Birmingham, Alabama

2nd Saturday Club
Sat, 13 Sep at 09:00 am 2nd Saturday Club

300 Snow Dr, Birmingham, AL, United States, Alabama 35209

September Early Meeting
Sat, 13 Sep at 09:30 am September Early Meeting

Homewood Public Library

Birmingham, AL | Barbell Rehab Method Certification
Sat, 13 Sep at 10:00 am Birmingham, AL | Barbell Rehab Method Certification

Wheelhouse Academy

Headshot Photography Class
Sat, 13 Sep at 10:00 am Headshot Photography Class

Railroad Park, Birmingham, Alabama

Ballet Basics with Dr. Lisa Gibbs
Sat, 13 Sep at 11:15 am Ballet Basics with Dr. Lisa Gibbs

1006 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL, United States, Alabama 35205

SPECTRA Choreographer\u2019s Series
Sat, 13 Sep at 01:00 pm SPECTRA Choreographer’s Series

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

September Meeting
Sat, 13 Sep at 01:00 pm September Meeting

Homewood Public Library

Wicked (Touring)
Sat, 13 Sep at 02:00 pm Wicked (Touring)

The BJCC

Roald Dahl Day
Sat, 13 Sep at 02:00 pm Roald Dahl Day

1721 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL, United States, Alabama 35209

Golden Legacy Day Party: LHS celebrates 15 Years!
Sat, 13 Sep at 02:00 pm Golden Legacy Day Party: LHS celebrates 15 Years!

Dzire Bar And Lounge

Birmingham is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Birmingham Events