Collinsville Historical Association
Incorporated in June 2003, the Collinsville Historical Association, Inc. ("CHA"), is a non-profit organization aimed at increasing and disseminating historical knowledge of the Town of Collinsville ("the Town"), preserving the Town's rich cultural heritage, and cooperating with local government to promote historic preservation. The CHA includes a diverse membership committed to the preservation of a most valuable resource - our heritage!
CHA proudly endorses the designation of historic districts in the downtown and South Valley Avenue areas. We have worked closely with the town of Collinsville to see the restoration of the "Town Clock" which has, for many, long been a symbol of Collinsville. Thanks to those combined efforts, the fate of the Seth Thomas clock, which once perched atop the Cricket Theatre, is no longer in jeopardy. With the cooperation of the Town, CHA was instrumental in finding help in the form of a qualified restorer of classic timepieces. The clock has undergone a complete restoration and is currently on display in its restored condition at the Museum of Collinsville History.
Since its inception, the CHA has become a depository of locally significant memorabilia and historical records in order to assure their long-term preservation. In keeping with that goal, in 2006, the CHA established the Museum of Collinsville History ("the Museum"), which, until 2015 consisted of two rooms in the Town's Community Center. As of June 1, 2015, the CHA, through an extreme act of generosity by the Board of Directors of Liberty Bank, became the proud owner of the building formerly housing a branch of Liberty Bank in the Town's historic downtown and relocated the Museum to this location.
In 2010, the CHA purchased the Cricket Theatre ("the Cricket"), which it now owns debt-free. The CHA's first effort was renovation of the "Cricket Café" building attached to the theatre. As of 2019. CHA's efforts include replacing the Cricket's badly-damaged roof, working to restore the historic interior to its former glory, restoring and reinstalling the neon marquee, installation of heating and air conditioning system, replacing stage floor, lighting including original Art Deco side lights, side and rear outside doors, restoration of entrance doors, restoration of foyer including restrooms, purchase of temporary chairs, installation of sound system including booth and installation of hand rails. All of these efforts have allowed this historic treasure and downtown Collinsville to once again become a hub for the creative and performing arts, as well as community functions.
CHA proudly endorses the designation of historic districts in the downtown and South Valley Avenue areas. We have worked closely with the town of Collinsville to see the restoration of the "Town Clock" which has, for many, long been a symbol of Collinsville. Thanks to those combined efforts, the fate of the Seth Thomas clock, which once perched atop the Cricket Theatre, is no longer in jeopardy. With the cooperation of the Town, CHA was instrumental in finding help in the form of a qualified restorer of classic timepieces. The clock has undergone a complete restoration and is currently on display in its restored condition at the Museum of Collinsville History.
Since its inception, the CHA has become a depository of locally significant memorabilia and historical records in order to assure their long-term preservation. In keeping with that goal, in 2006, the CHA established the Museum of Collinsville History ("the Museum"), which, until 2015 consisted of two rooms in the Town's Community Center. As of June 1, 2015, the CHA, through an extreme act of generosity by the Board of Directors of Liberty Bank, became the proud owner of the building formerly housing a branch of Liberty Bank in the Town's historic downtown and relocated the Museum to this location.
In 2010, the CHA purchased the Cricket Theatre ("the Cricket"), which it now owns debt-free. The CHA's first effort was renovation of the "Cricket Café" building attached to the theatre. As of 2019. CHA's efforts include replacing the Cricket's badly-damaged roof, working to restore the historic interior to its former glory, restoring and reinstalling the neon marquee, installation of heating and air conditioning system, replacing stage floor, lighting including original Art Deco side lights, side and rear outside doors, restoration of entrance doors, restoration of foyer including restrooms, purchase of temporary chairs, installation of sound system including booth and installation of hand rails. All of these efforts have allowed this historic treasure and downtown Collinsville to once again become a hub for the creative and performing arts, as well as community functions.
Collinsville Historical Association, 113 W Main Street, Collinsville, AL 35961