Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill and Jenny Lynn Davis
On Tuesday, November 19, Jasper Main Street welcomed community members to an Open House at its newly renovated office, located at 311 18th Street West in downtown Jasper.
The historic building, originally constructed in 1903 as Jasper’s first hospital, and most recently housing the law practice of Morris Savage, has undergone extensive renovations and is now set to become a cornerstone of downtown revitalization efforts.
The building will eventually house the Jasper Welcome Center and Museum, offering a unique space for locals and visitors to explore Jasper’s rich history and vibrant culture.
Interior and exterior structural conceptualization and renovations were led by Bob Reed of Reed Energy, LLC, with interior design by Heidi Core Interior Design, a Birmingham-based firm known for their work at Musgrove Country Club, the Walker Area Community Foundation, and Pinnacle Bank.
During the event, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the vision for the new space. Jasper Main Street President Allison Jones shared the project’s significance, highlighting the organization’s ability to own the building.
“We are one of only two Main Street designated communities that actually own their own building,” Jones said. “That has enabled us to envision what we wanted to do with this building, which is establishing the only welcome center between Birmingham and the Mississippi state line.”
The design of the space will emphasize both flexibility and interaction. Interior designer Heidi Core explained, “Mike (Putman) told me he wanted this to be the people’s house, so to speak. There’s much about Jasper to be proud of and show off to others. It’s going to be a place that’s interactive for children and adults. It will be flexible in that we want you to be able to host events here, so all of the displays will be movable.”
Jasper Main Street Executive Director Mike Putman expanded on the dual purpose of the space as both a welcome center and a museum. He emphasized the importance of honoring Jasper’s roots while looking toward the future.
“As you can see by the renderings Heidi has given us, this is going to be a state-of-the-art facility,” Putman said. “But as we move forward, we don’t want to forget our roots and where we came from. The museum will recognize where we came from, highlighting everything from local and federal politicians, religious organizations, educational systems, and the coal and automobile industries, to our arts and sports programs, healthcare system, and those who rebuilt the community after the 1974 tornado event. It will honor Jewish merchants who first established Jasper as a retail hub, our loyal financial institutions, our service organizations, and our famous and sometimes infamous celebrities.”
The Open House featured catering by Tallulah Brewing Company. Additionally, attendees were excited to hear the announcement that Taziki’s Mediterranean Café plans to open a Jasper location in the former Hospital Discount Pharmacy building at 201 19th Street East.
The new office and upcoming welcome center represent Jasper Main Street’s continued commitment to preserving and celebrating the city’s history while fostering its growth and vibrancy. WL
