Sloss Furnaces Speakers Bureau

Need to schedule a speaker for an upcoming event? Our diverse staff can address a variety of topics at your next civic organization, luncheon, conference, or teachers’ workshop.

Available speakers and topics include:

1. Sloss Furnaces: Birmingham’s Iron Plantation

This presentation pertains to the early developmental years at Sloss Furnaces, its role during the tumultuous war years (WWI and WWII), labor issues and practices and the deindustrialization period of the furnaces.

2. The Role of Convict Labor in Birmingham’s Industrial District

The Role of Convict Labor focuses on early state and local laws enacted by Alabama politicians to justify their use of convict labor. Attention is paid to the horrendous working conditions, as well as similarities between the institution of slavery and the convict leasing system.

3. Sloss Quarters: African-American Community of Sloss Furnaces

This presentation focuses on the company housing throughout Birmingham’s industrial district between 1900 and 1950.

4. Labor Music of Birmingham’s Industrial District

In 1999 Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark produced a work entitled Spirit of Steel: Music of the Mines, Railroads and Mills of the Birmingham District. Music of the Mines presents the histories, personal recollections from the musicians and their families, and a social context for the music they made.

5. Sloss Metal Arts: The Artistic Expression of Birmingham’s Industrial Heritage

This presentation presents a visual overview of the development of Sloss’ Metal Arts program, from 1983 to the present. The Metal Arts has grown from a small monthly blacksmithing demonstration to an internationally known sculpture program that focuses on the use of cast iron as a sculpture medium.

6. The Summer Youth Apprenticeship Program

Recognized by the National Endowment for the arts as a model arts education program, the Summer Apprenticeship is an 8-week arts-based job program in which talented high school students are taught to cast forge, and weld metal sculpture—and get paid while at it! This is a visual presentation of the apprentices at work as they learn the processes they need to create metal sculpture. Highlighted are the individual works of art they produce.

7. “Lil’ Red”

Invite “Lil’ Red” to come visit your facility! “Lil’ Red,” a character who interprets the history of Sloss Furnaces from the perspective of a former Sloss Furnaces employee, will answer questions about what it was like to live in Sloss Quarters, and the motivation of workers to risk their lives to work in Birmingham’s iron industry. This program is suitable for ages K-8 grades. (1 hour) $35

8.“History of Sloss”

Participants will learn about the history of Sloss Furnaces and its influence on the development of the Industrial South. Enjoy a 15-minute video, look at historical photos and see and touch coal, coke, limestone, iron ore, and slag. This is a fun history lesson that children of ALL AGES will enjoy. (45 minutes)

For more information on the presentations available from Sloss Furnaces,

please contact Sloss Furnaces Curator, Karen Utz

at 205.324.1911 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or Sloss Furnaces Education Coordinator, Heather Guy

at 205.324.1911 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .