Sarah Huff Fisk
Photo by Linda Wright Riley |
Historian, Author, Artist
Notes:
• We have made a special collection of links for Sarah Huff Fisk - Huntsville History Collection
• "Sarah Huff Fisk was a descendant of pioneer families in Madison County and a life-long resident of Huntsville/Madison County. She was a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society and served as its president for four years. She was chairman of the mayor's ad hoc committee to research and plan for the reconstruction of Constitution Hall Park and served on the first city board appointed to operate it. As a member of the Historical Society, she held numerous other positions including chairman to erect many of the historical markers in Madison County. She was also chairman of the committee to research early communities in the county and to map the downtown area as it was in 1819. She was the artist for 'A New Map of Huntsville, Alabama, 1819,' which was recognized by the American Association for State and Local History. Sarah Huff Fisk's illustrations have appeared in five textbooks used in Alabama schools. At the time of her death, Mrs. Fisk had six books in print, the most recent being Lost Writings of Howard Weeden as 'Flake White,' which she published in 2005 with co-author Linda Wright Riley. Other books by Mrs. Fisk include Shadows on the Wall: The Life and Works of Howard Weeden (with co-author Frances Roberts); Civilization Comes to the Big Spring: Huntsville, Alabama 1823; Found Among the Fragments; Built Upon the Fragments; and Long Ago in Madison County (illustrator)." - Pinhook Publishing Company
• Daughter of O.C. Huff - HHQ, Five Points & HHQ, A.A. Baker
• Sarah was four, in 1919, when her family (mother, father, sister, grandmother, and aunt) moved to the house at the corner of Ward Avenue and Andrew Jackson Way. The number of the house was then 700 Ward Avenue instead of 701 at that time. The family lived in the house until 1938. - HHQ, Five Points
• Descendant of A. A. Baker
Granddaughter of John G. Baker - HHQ, A.A. Baker
• Marriage of Sarah Elliott Huff to Burke Steagal Fisk recorded February 24, 1940, Madison County, Alabama - Find A Grave
• Sarah H. Fisk served several roles in the Huntsville Historical Society as a member of Board of Governors, President, Secretary, and Treasure. Her name is scattered throughout the early history of the society. Evidence of her writing and organizational skills. - Editor's Note
• Articles Sarah Huff Fisk wrote for The Huntsville Historical Review:
- Madison County 150 Years Ago (Part I), Volume 1, #3, Jul-71, Fisk, S.H., page 44
- Madison County 150 Years Ago (Part II), Volume 1, #4, Oct-71, Fisk, S.H., page 46
- Williams Street Area in the Early 1800's, Volume 1, #1, Jan-71, Fisk, S.H., page 18
- Early Huntsville: 1805-1825, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 15
- Mapping 1819 Huntsville in Retrospect, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 21.
- 1819 Huntsville as a Trading Center, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 28
- Madison County's First Courthouse, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 31
- Huntsville's Indian Creek Canal, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 43
- Howard Weeden, Artist and Poet, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 55
- My Memories of Elizabeth Fraser Price, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 69
- Merrimack Mill History, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 75
- Growing Up in Huntsville, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 85
Articles about Sarah Huff Fisk in The Huntsville Historical Review
- Remembering Sarah Huff Fisk, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Riley, L.W., page 7
- The Huntsville Historical Review Edition dedicated to Sarah Huff Fisk - Huntsville Historical Review
• Bookkeeper and historian for the Huntsville Manufacturing Company for many years.
Employed by the Probate Judge of Madison County - Editor's Note
• Author
1955 The History of Huntsville Manufacturing Company, 1900-1955
1962 Shadows on the Wall: The Life and Works of Howard Weeden (with Frances Roberts)
1997 Civilization Comes to the Big Spring: Huntsville, Alabama 1823
1997 Found Among the Fragments, A Story of Love and Courage
2001 Built Upon the Fragments, In 1880's Huntsville, Alabama
2005 Lost Writings of Howard Weeden as "Flake White" (with Linda Wright Riley)
Artist and Illustrator
1957 Alabama History for Schools, Charles G. Summersell (maps)
1958 A History of the First Methodist Church, Ruth Sykes Ford
1964 Long Ago in Madison County, Allie Norris Kenney
1974 The Public Square and Big Spring: Huntsville, Alabama 1823 - The Huntsville Historical Review
• Contributed in various roles for:
Constitution Hall Park
Weeden House
Lowe House Dependency Preservation Planning Study. - Editor's Note
• "Local historian, author and artist, Sarah Huff Fisk, died Sunday at age 91. Mrs. Fisk was a descendant of pioneer families in Madison County and a lifelong resident of Huntsville/Madison County. Mrs. Fisk attended Huntsville High School and was honored in 1989 by selection for the Roll of Honor for Outstanding Huntsville High School Graduates. Her career began in the secretarial and accounting fields. In 1942, she accepted an office position at Huntsville Manufacturing Co. She became accountant for the company and retired 35 years later as office manager. From a musically talented family, Sarah learned piano at eight years of age and as a teenager was teaching students. For 20 years, she was pianist for Holmes Street Methodist Church. During the Depression years, Sarah and her sister, Martha Lee Huff, created and staged 'The Huff Marionettes.' Their marionette shows were original in every respect. The plays were presented in the city and county schools, the public library, playgrounds and churches throughout the county. Her early interest in history became a lifelong passion. She was a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society and served as its president for four years. She was chairman of the mayor's ad hoc committee to research and plan for the reconstruction of Constitution Hall Park and served on the first city board appointed to operate it. During her long membership in the Historical Society she held numerous other positions including chairman to erect many of the historical markers in the county. She was also chairman of the committees to research early communities in the county and to map the downtown area as it was in 1819. She was the artist for 'A New Map of Huntsville, Alabama, 1819,' which resulted from this effort and was recognized by the American Association for State and Local History. Mrs. Fisk was a talented artist. Her illustrations appeared in five textbooks used in Alabama schools and numerous other publications. In 1974 at the request of Huntsville Utilities, she completed a detailed drawing of 'The Public Square, Huntsville, Alabama 1823.' This drawing was based on years of extensive research and was displayed in the 150th anniversary historical exhibit of Huntsville's water system. Sarah's creative writing ability became evident early in her life. Her third-grade essay 'Boost Huntsville' won second place in a city-wide contest for all grades. The following year, she had a poem published in The Birmingham News. Her writing skills were well utilized throughout her life. Early writings were primarily historically based but she progressed to novels at age 80. At the time of her death, Mrs. Fisk had six books in print the most recent being Lost Writings of Howard Weeden as Flake White which she published in 2005 with co-author Linda Wright Riley. While employed at Huntsville Manufacturing Co., Mrs. Fisk volunteered to edit the company's publication, The Huntsville Parker. She took a great interest in the history of the company and in 1955 she put her research into a 'Historical Edition' covering the plant's operations from 1900-1955. Mrs. Fisk was a member of numerous civic organizations and she received innumerable awards for her volunteer efforts. Preceded in death by her husband, Mrs. Fisk was married for 49 years to Burke S. Fisk. She is survived by a niece, Emily Pinkerton Saile and her husband, Roy Saile; nephew, Kerry Alan Pinkerton and his wife, Carolyn Hollingsworth Pinkerton; two great-nephews, Kristopher Adam Pinkerton and Cameron Alan Pinkerton; and a great-great-nephew, William Mason Pinkerton. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. J.B. Pendergraft officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holmes Street United Methodist Church or the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library."
Published in The Huntsville Times, 1/1/2007, p. B3, c3 & internet - Find A Grave
Related Links:
The Following Pages Link to this Page:
• 701 Ward Avenue NE
• HHQ, A.A. Baker
• HHQ, Five Points
• HHR, Note Cards
• Huntsville Historical Review
• Huntsville History Collection
• The Gardens
| Born: | March 16, 1915, Meridianville, Alabama |
| Died: | December 31, 2006, Huntsville, Alabama |
| Buried: | Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, Alabama |
| Residence: | 701 Ward Avenue NE |
Notes:
• We have made a special collection of links for Sarah Huff Fisk - Huntsville History Collection
• "Sarah Huff Fisk was a descendant of pioneer families in Madison County and a life-long resident of Huntsville/Madison County. She was a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society and served as its president for four years. She was chairman of the mayor's ad hoc committee to research and plan for the reconstruction of Constitution Hall Park and served on the first city board appointed to operate it. As a member of the Historical Society, she held numerous other positions including chairman to erect many of the historical markers in Madison County. She was also chairman of the committee to research early communities in the county and to map the downtown area as it was in 1819. She was the artist for 'A New Map of Huntsville, Alabama, 1819,' which was recognized by the American Association for State and Local History. Sarah Huff Fisk's illustrations have appeared in five textbooks used in Alabama schools. At the time of her death, Mrs. Fisk had six books in print, the most recent being Lost Writings of Howard Weeden as 'Flake White,' which she published in 2005 with co-author Linda Wright Riley. Other books by Mrs. Fisk include Shadows on the Wall: The Life and Works of Howard Weeden (with co-author Frances Roberts); Civilization Comes to the Big Spring: Huntsville, Alabama 1823; Found Among the Fragments; Built Upon the Fragments; and Long Ago in Madison County (illustrator)." - Pinhook Publishing Company
• Daughter of O.C. Huff - HHQ, Five Points & HHQ, A.A. Baker
• Sarah was four, in 1919, when her family (mother, father, sister, grandmother, and aunt) moved to the house at the corner of Ward Avenue and Andrew Jackson Way. The number of the house was then 700 Ward Avenue instead of 701 at that time. The family lived in the house until 1938. - HHQ, Five Points
• Descendant of A. A. Baker
Granddaughter of John G. Baker - HHQ, A.A. Baker
• Marriage of Sarah Elliott Huff to Burke Steagal Fisk recorded February 24, 1940, Madison County, Alabama - Find A Grave
• Sarah H. Fisk served several roles in the Huntsville Historical Society as a member of Board of Governors, President, Secretary, and Treasure. Her name is scattered throughout the early history of the society. Evidence of her writing and organizational skills. - Editor's Note
• Articles Sarah Huff Fisk wrote for The Huntsville Historical Review:
- Madison County 150 Years Ago (Part I), Volume 1, #3, Jul-71, Fisk, S.H., page 44
- Madison County 150 Years Ago (Part II), Volume 1, #4, Oct-71, Fisk, S.H., page 46
- Williams Street Area in the Early 1800's, Volume 1, #1, Jan-71, Fisk, S.H., page 18
- Early Huntsville: 1805-1825, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 15
- Mapping 1819 Huntsville in Retrospect, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 21.
- 1819 Huntsville as a Trading Center, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 28
- Madison County's First Courthouse, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 31
- Huntsville's Indian Creek Canal, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 43
- Howard Weeden, Artist and Poet, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 55
- My Memories of Elizabeth Fraser Price, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 69
- Merrimack Mill History, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 75
- Growing Up in Huntsville, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Fisk, S.H., page 85
Articles about Sarah Huff Fisk in The Huntsville Historical Review
- Remembering Sarah Huff Fisk, Volume 33, #1, Winter-Spring 2008, Riley, L.W., page 7
- The Huntsville Historical Review Edition dedicated to Sarah Huff Fisk - Huntsville Historical Review
• Bookkeeper and historian for the Huntsville Manufacturing Company for many years.
Employed by the Probate Judge of Madison County - Editor's Note
• Author
1955 The History of Huntsville Manufacturing Company, 1900-1955
1962 Shadows on the Wall: The Life and Works of Howard Weeden (with Frances Roberts)
1997 Civilization Comes to the Big Spring: Huntsville, Alabama 1823
1997 Found Among the Fragments, A Story of Love and Courage
2001 Built Upon the Fragments, In 1880's Huntsville, Alabama
2005 Lost Writings of Howard Weeden as "Flake White" (with Linda Wright Riley)
Artist and Illustrator
1957 Alabama History for Schools, Charles G. Summersell (maps)
1958 A History of the First Methodist Church, Ruth Sykes Ford
1964 Long Ago in Madison County, Allie Norris Kenney
1974 The Public Square and Big Spring: Huntsville, Alabama 1823 - The Huntsville Historical Review
• Contributed in various roles for:
Constitution Hall Park
Weeden House
Lowe House Dependency Preservation Planning Study. - Editor's Note
• "Local historian, author and artist, Sarah Huff Fisk, died Sunday at age 91. Mrs. Fisk was a descendant of pioneer families in Madison County and a lifelong resident of Huntsville/Madison County. Mrs. Fisk attended Huntsville High School and was honored in 1989 by selection for the Roll of Honor for Outstanding Huntsville High School Graduates. Her career began in the secretarial and accounting fields. In 1942, she accepted an office position at Huntsville Manufacturing Co. She became accountant for the company and retired 35 years later as office manager. From a musically talented family, Sarah learned piano at eight years of age and as a teenager was teaching students. For 20 years, she was pianist for Holmes Street Methodist Church. During the Depression years, Sarah and her sister, Martha Lee Huff, created and staged 'The Huff Marionettes.' Their marionette shows were original in every respect. The plays were presented in the city and county schools, the public library, playgrounds and churches throughout the county. Her early interest in history became a lifelong passion. She was a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society and served as its president for four years. She was chairman of the mayor's ad hoc committee to research and plan for the reconstruction of Constitution Hall Park and served on the first city board appointed to operate it. During her long membership in the Historical Society she held numerous other positions including chairman to erect many of the historical markers in the county. She was also chairman of the committees to research early communities in the county and to map the downtown area as it was in 1819. She was the artist for 'A New Map of Huntsville, Alabama, 1819,' which resulted from this effort and was recognized by the American Association for State and Local History. Mrs. Fisk was a talented artist. Her illustrations appeared in five textbooks used in Alabama schools and numerous other publications. In 1974 at the request of Huntsville Utilities, she completed a detailed drawing of 'The Public Square, Huntsville, Alabama 1823.' This drawing was based on years of extensive research and was displayed in the 150th anniversary historical exhibit of Huntsville's water system. Sarah's creative writing ability became evident early in her life. Her third-grade essay 'Boost Huntsville' won second place in a city-wide contest for all grades. The following year, she had a poem published in The Birmingham News. Her writing skills were well utilized throughout her life. Early writings were primarily historically based but she progressed to novels at age 80. At the time of her death, Mrs. Fisk had six books in print the most recent being Lost Writings of Howard Weeden as Flake White which she published in 2005 with co-author Linda Wright Riley. While employed at Huntsville Manufacturing Co., Mrs. Fisk volunteered to edit the company's publication, The Huntsville Parker. She took a great interest in the history of the company and in 1955 she put her research into a 'Historical Edition' covering the plant's operations from 1900-1955. Mrs. Fisk was a member of numerous civic organizations and she received innumerable awards for her volunteer efforts. Preceded in death by her husband, Mrs. Fisk was married for 49 years to Burke S. Fisk. She is survived by a niece, Emily Pinkerton Saile and her husband, Roy Saile; nephew, Kerry Alan Pinkerton and his wife, Carolyn Hollingsworth Pinkerton; two great-nephews, Kristopher Adam Pinkerton and Cameron Alan Pinkerton; and a great-great-nephew, William Mason Pinkerton. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. J.B. Pendergraft officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Holmes Street United Methodist Church or the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library."
Published in The Huntsville Times, 1/1/2007, p. B3, c3 & internet - Find A Grave
Related Links:
• Civilization - Huntsville History Collection's Book Shelf. Showing the cover and index of the book Civilization Comes to the Big Spring: Huntsville, Alabama 1823.
• Creative Learning Connection - A website for home school families, with a bio featuring "The Works of Sarah Huff Fisk" (Originally found at http://www.creativelearningconnection.com/madisonhistory.html.)
• Find A Grave - Page created by Sidney Allen
• Fragments - Huntsville History Collection's Book Shelf. Showing the cover and index of the book Built Upon the Fragments in 1880's Huntsville, Alabama
• HHQ, A.A. Baker - "The A. A. Baker Marble Yard" by Jacquelyn Procter Gray, The Historic Huntsville Quarterly of Local Architecture and Preservation, Volume XXVII, #3, Fall, 2001, Pages 24-8
• HHQ, Five Points - "The Old Neighborhood", by Lynn Jones, The Historic Huntsville Quarterly of Local Architecture and Preservation, Volume XXVII, #12, Spring, Summer 2001, pages 18-22. Article about her childhood home.
• HHR, Note Cards - The Triumph of the Note-Card: The Sarah Huff Fisk System, by Susanna Leberman, The Huntsville Historical Review, Volume 33, No. 1, Winter-Spring 2008, page 37-42. Tell of Sarah Fisk's note system.
• Huntsville Historical Review - Volume 33, #1 Winter-Spring 2008
• Huntsville History Collection - A special collection of links to the works of Sarah Huff Fisk.
• Merrimack Mill History - "This history is paraphrased and rewritten from a document originally authored by Mrs. Sarah Huff Fisk, Merrimack Mill Company accountant for 47 years." (Originally found at http://merrimackhall.com/downloads/MerrimackHistory.pdf.)
• Pinhook Publishing Company - Website featuring "The Works of Sarah Huff Fisk" with biographical information and a photograph. (Originally found at http://www.pinhookpublishingcompany.com/aboutsarah.html.)
• The Gardens - Article Sarah Huff Fisk wrote for The Historic Huntsville Quarterly: The Gardens, Volume VIII, #1, Fall 1981, page 19-20.
• The Huntsville Historical Review - Index of articles
The Following Pages Link to this Page:
• 701 Ward Avenue NE
• HHQ, A.A. Baker
• HHQ, Five Points
• HHR, Note Cards
• Huntsville Historical Review
• Huntsville History Collection
• The Gardens