Rather than creating a CMS, try installing an existing one that will import your static pages and perform the main steps of making them work in the new system. It's not that hard to do from scratch, but many web hosts will have some of these systems pre-installed. You can find out what CMSs your web host offers, and then Google "[name of CMS] import html".
The MODX CMS (modx.com) has some decent tools for importing HTML into the system. Detailed instructions here.
WordPress has various plugins you can install to do the same thing, including HTML Import 2. Detailed instructions here.
WordPress works best for people who like a simpler interface. MODX works best for people who like design control, and also for people who plan on doing a lot of their own code to extend the system.
