By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

COLUMBIANA –Shelby County Historical Society President Bobby Joe Seales is expecting a large crowd for the 195th Shelby County Birthday Celebration.

The annual event was begun four years ago by the SCHS to highlight the county’s history and the Shelby County Museum and Archives, which is housed in the 1854 Old Courthouse.

“In my opinion, we have a wonderful collection of Shelby County’s rich history,” Seales said. “We just want to expose it to all of Shelby County and let them know what we’ve got for them right here in Columbiana.”

The celebration will focus on the Creek War, and the guest speaker will be Robert G. Thrower, the tribal historic preservation officer for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

Other guests include Steve Murray, the new director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History, 2013 Poarch Creek Indian Senior Princess Samantha Miller, Miss Alabama 2012 Anna Laura Bryan, Miss Shelby County 2013 Jamie Brooks, Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen 2013 Sydney Slaughter and Ms. Senior Alabama 2012 Niva Dorough.

Seales said this is the final year the celebration will focus on the Creek War. In 2014 and 2015, the program will focus on the Civil War, while the following two years will focus on the Civil Rights Movement.

“In 2018, we’ll have Shelby County’s bicentennial, which will really be a big blowout,” Seales said.

Seales said he hopes the celebration will introduce Shelby County residents to the museum and archives, which is maintained by the SCHS.

“It’s the only building owned by Shelby County that is on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage,” he said.

The celebration will be held Sunday, Feb. 3 from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Shelby County Museum and Archives in downtown Columbiana. For more information, visit the Shelby County Museum and Archive’s Facebook page.