The Rotary Club of Birmingham Commences 110th Anniversary Celebration

RCB President Chuck Redden with Past Presidents Eddie Miller, Allen Rushton, Betsy Holloway and Rob Couch

The Rotary Club of Birmingham was chartered on February 6, 1913. During the February 8th meeting, RCB initiated a year-long celebration commemorating the club's 110th anniversary. President Chuck Redden acknowledged RCB Charter members, recognized RCB Past Presidents, and celebrated the club's longest-serving members. We thank all of these members for their leadership and dedication to RCB and the Rotary mission.

Past President Allen D. Rushton, who joined the club 61 years ago and served as President 1973-74, was honored as the longest-serving member.

The Rotary Club of Birmingham was founded by architect Harry B. Wheelock. While visiting his brother in Denver, Wheelock learned of the rapidly-growing Rotary movement started by Paul Harris in Chicago. Wheelock corresponded with Harris, who wrote, "It is the aim of Rotary to advance the individual interests of its members in proportion to the advance of the welfare of the communities in which we are established."

Wheelock called a meeting of friends at Turn-Verein Hall to discuss establishing a Rotary Club in Birmingham. The group compiled a list of professionals whose lives and personal philosophies already manifested the Rotary spirit. They were invited to hear the Rotary story and were inspired to establish "Rotary 56," The Rotary Club of Birmingham. Wheelock served as the inaugural president, along with Vice-President John E. Shelby, Secretary Bromfield Ridley, Treasurer J.W. Donnelly, and Sergeant-at-Arms Robert I. Ingalls.