The Joe Beasley Memorial Foundation, Inc., has acquired approximately five acres of land in the southwest part of Jefferson County, about ten miles from downtown Birmingham, for the purpose of erecting a building for singing, live performances, educational, civic, family, historical and cultural events.

The site is accessible from the Interstate system and is close to motels and restaurants, shopping and medical facilities. The property is located on the Historical Trail, and is close to three homes which are on the National Historic Home Registry, as well as the historic Tannehill Furnace. A Federally designated wet lands/wildlife preserve is adjacent.

The site is level, and the building will be on one floor, with no steps to climb. It has been designed with a 50' x 70' singing space, with all wood floor, walls and cathedral/arched ceiling. There will also be a 100' x 40' dining/kitchen area with direct access from the outside. There will be an 18' x 32' registration/display area at the front entry. A 24' x 16' museum/archive room is included in the plans, along with ample restrooms, office space, a sound/recording facility and a stage.

A drive-through portico will be at the main entrance, and an eight-foot porch will wrap around the building. Adequate paved on-site parking is planned.

The building will be made available to the Sacred Harp/shape note community on a minimum cost basis.

The museum/archive room and the entry foyer will include a memorial wall for the deceased and an honor wall for donors. In addition, a program will be instituted to honor living composers in the Sacred Harp/shape note tradition, with appropriate plaques to be displayed on an honor wall.

If you would like to support this project, tax-deductible donations will be gratefully accepted. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, and we will furnish a receipt for your records. Donations can be made to any member of the Board of Directors, or they can be mailed to Sarah Smith, the Secretary, at 431 Woodland Road, Bessemer, Alabama 35020. Donations by check should be made payable to the Joe Beasley Memorial Foundation, Inc.