Industry, History, and Fellowship: The SIA Fall Tour at Sloss Furnaces
October 24, 2026
October 24–26, 1985 Fall Tour
From October 24–26, 1985, the Society for Industrial Archeology held its Fall Tour at Sloss Furnaces, bringing together members with a shared interest in the history of industry and the places that preserve it. The gathering offered an opportunity to explore one of Birmingham’s most significant industrial landmarks while connecting with fellow students of America’s industrial past.
Fifty out-of-state members attended the tour, most of them traveling from the Northeast. Their participation reflected the broad regional interest in industrial archeology and the importance of Sloss Furnaces as a destination for those seeking to understand the nation’s industrial heritage. A small contingent from Alabama also joined the group, adding a local perspective to the weekend’s activities.
Today, Sloss Furnaces is a museum where visitors can experience this remarkable industrial history firsthand. Its preserved furnaces, buildings, machinery, and grounds offer a vivid look at the people, technology, and labor that shaped Birmingham. Walking through the site provides a powerful sense of scale and atmosphere, one that photographs and books alone cannot convey.
Against the backdrop of Sloss Furnaces, attendees shared their appreciation for historic technology, industrial landscapes, and the stories preserved in working sites. The Fall Tour brought together visitors from across the country and local participants in a memorable weekend devoted to exploration, conversation, and the preservation of industrial history.
If you are interested in industrial history, architecture, technology, or Birmingham’s past, plan a visit to Sloss Furnaces Museum. Explore its historic grounds, discover the stories embedded in its structures, and experience one of the country’s most compelling industrial heritage sites for yourself.
