CHELSEA – The Crane Home in Chelsea has been added to the Alabama State Historical Register, city officials announced at a meeting of the Chelsea City Council on Tuesday, May 7.

Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer and Blake Lovett of Chelsea Middle School unveiled a plaque marking the designation.

Lovett said representatives of CMS worked with the city and the Chelsea Historical Society to seek the historical designation for the property, which dates back to circa 1897 and now serves as a museum.

“As our city grows, some of our history seems to be shrinking,” Lovett said about the effort to preserve Chelsea’s history and share it with new residents and generations.

Picklesimer noted the efforts of the late Tony Niven, who was president of the Historical Society.

“Our museum, now at the Crane house, would not be there today if it were not for Tony Niven,” Picklesimer said.

Also recognized at the meeting was the championship-winning Chelsea Middle School baseball team.

The team includes: Chris McNeill, Jake Ivie, Walker Gailey, Cody Fortenberry, Kaden Heatherly, Jesse Newton, Dylan Brown, Easton Evans, Jackson Morgan, Kole Richey, Steven Shelton, Jackson Laughlin, Baylor Wall, Walker Thomas, Brandon Ridderhoff and Harper Thornbrough.

Coaches are Clint Billingsley, Andrew Hill and Blake Lovett.

As a team, the Hornets compiled a .340 batting average, 30 doubles, nine triples, 196 runs scored, 152 stolen bases and a .491 on-base percentage.

Ivie (seven doubles and 26 RBI) and McNeill (47 stolen bases, .524 batting average, 45 runs, six triples, .644 on-base percentage, 26 RBI and 19 walks) set several offensive school records.