Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 12/2/2025
Item Status: New
From: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
Submitted by: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Donation of 1900s Working Sawmill to Baldwin County Bicentennial Park
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1) Accept the donation of a 1900s working sawmill from Darrell Sudduth for installation and use at Baldwin County Bicentennial Park in Stockton; and
2) Authorize the Chairman and Director of Archives and History to execute the Deed of Gift Agreement transferring ownership of the antique working sawmill from Darrell Sudduth to the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History, the IRS Form 8283, and any other documents related to the donation of the sawmill; and
3) Authorize the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History, in consultation with the County Engineer, to facilitate the move of the sawmill from the property located at 33507 U.S. Highway 31, Spanish Fort, Alabama, to Bicentennial Park.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: On November 10, 2025, staff received an email from Kathy Sudduth on behalf of Darrell Sudduth, President of the South Alabama Antique Tractor and Engine Club, with a formal letter expressing the Club’s interest in donating a working antique sawmill to the Commission for placement at Bicentennial Park in Stockton.
The installation of the sawmill at Bicentennial Park is included in the recently approved Bicentennial Park Master Plan (see attached), and an established location for the sawmill has already been identified within the plan.
Historically, Stockton played a significant role in Baldwin County’s early lumber and milling industry. The area surrounding present-day Bicentennial Park once supported several small sawmills that contributed to local settlement, river-based trade, and economic development during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The addition of an operational antique sawmill at the park will support ongoing interpretive efforts and help illustrate this important part of Stockton’s heritage.
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: None, donation
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents? N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration send NOA, copy of Agreement, and original IRS Form to Darrell Sudduth. Felisha Anderson responsible for finalizing all required documentation and coordinating delivery and installation of the sawmill at Bicentennial Park.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Correspondence to:
Darrell Sudduth
President, SAATEC
33507 U.S. Highway 31
Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
cc: Felisha Anderson, Roger Rendleman, Frank Lundy, Beth Hodges, Wanda Gautney
Additional instructions/notes: Admin - tickler; email Felisha to pick up fully executed Deed of Gift Agreement to get recorded at Probate. Upon receiving back, create folder in Deed file and save all docs.