Pelham Civic Complex and Hoar Construction walked away with first place prizes at the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington Golf Tournament last week.

Pelham Civic Complex won first place in the 8 a.m. group, with the City of Pelham finishing second. Third place went to AHI Corporate Housing.

In the 1 p.m. group, Hoar Construction took the top prize with Bennett Building and Peoples Bank and Trust finishing second and third, respectively.

First place finishers received a $125 gift certificate to Pro Golf, second place a $75 gift certificate and third a $50 gift certificate.

Golf bags and balls, shoe bags, swing trainers, putting mats and umbrellas were given for closest to the pin and longest drive winners.

According to tournament organizer Helen Dean, the first annual event with 160 golfers and 52 hole sponsors was a huge success.

&uot;Our first annual golf tournament far exceeded our expectations,&uot; Dean said. &uot;It was well-received and well-attended.

Money raised at this event will help support the museum.

Funds are planned to be used for improvements, audio tour and adding a gift shop to the museum facility.

We are very grateful for the tournament sponsors and the golfers.&uot;

Tournament sponsors included Alabama Power; Eugene Dekich, CLU; Pelham mayor Bobby Hayes; Miller, Hamilton, Snider and Odom, LLC; Dr. Bayard Tynes; SBS Data; and Brasfield Technologies.

Founded in 1982 by Karl C. Harrison, a Columbiana banker and philanthropist, the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington has become an important forum for learning about America’s first First Family.

Through the foresighted efforts and encouragement of Martha Washington’s granddaughter Eliza Parke Custis, family heirlooms have been lovingly passed down through generations.

In the early 1980’s, Shelby County resident Charlotte Smith Weaver, a sixth generation granddaughter of Martha, decided to share her legacy with the public, providing the basis of the museum.

The Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington collection focuses on art and artifacts from the colonial period through 1865.

The collection contains paintings, letters, furniture, porcelain, glassware, silver, jewelry, busts and more.

Martha Washington’s prayer book printed in New York in 1783, an original 1787 Samuel Vaughn sketch of Mt. Vernon grounds, writing instruments and tools from George Washington’s survey case and an original tintype depicting Robert E. Lee in his uniform for the last time are just a few collection highlights.

The Museum occupies a new wing of the Harrison Regional Library.

The beautifully-designed museum provides just the right atmosphere for a trip in time back to 1776.

Moving into the new facility in the fall of 2000 brought together the entire collection of over 1,000 artifacts.

The Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge presented the George Washington Honor Medal to the Museum in 1999.

The Museum has been featured in the monthly magazine The Daughters of the American Revolution as well as included in the &uot;Hometown Spotlight&uot; section of the American Profile.

Visitors of all ages find something wonderful at the Museum.

&uot;Our focus in the museum this year is to increase public awareness of the museum,&uot; Dean said.

&uot;We are doing more and more to make that happen. The museum is supported entirely by donations and funds are needed for daily operation of the museum as well as for programming and outreach activities. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed.&uot;

Anyone interested in learning more about the museum or how to become a partner in its efforts, please contact Helen Dean at (205)669-8767 or by info@washingtonmuseum.com