By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

The Alabama Sons of the American Revolution recently celebrated their 125th anniversary celebration with a weekend of events sponsored by Bobby Joe Seales, state president, and the ALSSAR Cahaba-Coosa Chapter of Shelby County and the ALSSAR Birmingham Chapter.

R. Glenn Nivens was the 2014 and John R. Walker is the 2015 Cahaba-Coosa presidents. Dr. Lamar Thomas is the Birmingham Chapter president.

The National Society Sons of the American Revolution was founded on Jan. 17, 1890, and the Alabama Society on Feb. 10, 1890.

Civil War veteran Capt. Joseph Forney Johnston was the first ALSSAR president. Johnston, an attorney from Selma, became president of Alabama State Bank and Sloss Furnace and Steel Co., and was elected governor and senator of Alabama.

Bobby Joe Seales was the first president of Cahaba-Coosa Chapter of Shelby County, chartered on Aug. 22, 2003.

Seales became the Alabama Society SAR president in 2014. He is the long-time executive director of the Shelby County Museum and Archives and president of the Shelby County Historical Society.

The 125th anniversary was held at the Birmingham Grandview Marriott Hotel.

On Friday, a genealogy workshop was held and opening reception with special music by the 313th Army and Show Band.

At Saturday’s luncheon, special music was sung by Samford student Austin Foster, son of Ron and Kim Foster of Columbiana.

Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock brought greetings from the Shelby County Commission.

American Village Founder and SAR Compatriot Tom Walker was the featured speaker. American Village Interpreter Al Schaefer gave a special presentation as George Washington.

At Saturday night’s black tie banquet, Clem Muck was master of ceremonies and Chuck King and Band entertained.

Robert Robinson, Jr., son of Phoebe and Red Robinson of Columbiana, opened the banquet with patriotic music.

Seales presented Robinson with his Cahaba-Coosa certificate as the newest Alabama SAR member.

Keynote speaker was NSSAR Secretary General Thomas E. Lawrence from the Texas Society and American Village Abagail Adams entertained.

2015 ALSSAR State President William O. “Bill” Stone was inducted.

Seales was awarded the prestigious SAR Silver Good Citizenship Award and Certificate for his outstanding work in the community.