Marvin Lee Harper, 1919-2009

Harper, Marvin Lee.jpg

Title

Marvin Lee Harper, 1919-2009

Subject

Preservation
Civic leaders

Description

Marvin Lee Harper, born in 1919 in Northport, AL, earned the title throughout the community and Alabama as “Mr. Preservationist” during his 89 years. He made an immeasurable impact on the community through his work in heritage and historic preservation, tourism, and community beautification; and dedicated his entire life to preserving the visual and written history of Northport.

Mr. Harper was born on Compress Street (now 30th Avenue) in Northport, but grew up on the family farm on U.S. Highway 43, an area that became known as “Harper Hill.” He lived there until 1979 when he moved to the Shirley Home. He attended Tuscaloosa County High School, Tuscaloosa Business College, Business College of Birmingham, and UA’s New College. He spent more than 30 years in administration management at Reichold Chemical in Holt.

Acting as the “public’s conscience,” he worked tirelessly to preserve historic landmarks and homes, encouraged local governments to invest in the community’s rich heritage, and relentlessly promoted community beautification and restoration of historic homes.

His active civic life was diverse and meaningful with leadership roles in a wide range of organizations and initiatives, including: the Alabama Historical Commission; Cahaba Trace Commission; Tuscaloosa County Preservation Authority (now known as the Heritage Commission) of which he helped found and headed as first chairman; the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society of which he founded and served as the first president and later executive director; Historic Preservation Commission of Northport; Northport Renaissance Commission; founder and first chairman of Kentuck Association; and a host of other organization and community associations.

Throughout the community, you can see Marvin Harper’s hand and impact. Whether in preserving historic homes and structures, at FOCUS on Senior Citizens, Friends of Historic Northport, C.H.O.M., the Northport Chamber of Commerce, Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau, and a host of other diverse efforts – Marvin Harper made a lasting and historic impact.

In 2004, he was inducted into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

Material from the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama was used in this description.

Source

Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

Contributor

Brenda Harris (Description)

Type

Photograph

Identifier

1246

Coverage

Tuscaloosa County (AL)

Original Format

Photograph