Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails - Events
March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December
| APRIL 2010 |
| “Let Your Motto Be Resistance”: African American Portraits - Saturday, January 30 through Sunday, April 25, 2010, Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. The words of a 19th century political activist and Underground Railroad conductor, “Let your motto be resistance”, is the essence of this exhibition. 69 stunning photographs of well-known African-American abolitionists, artists, authors, statesman and others are presented as the first of the Atlanta History Center’s “Civil War to Civil Rights” series. Admission fee. Directions: I-75 to Exit #255. East on West Paces Ferry Road approximately 2.7 miles; the center is on the right. 404-814-4000, www.AtlantaHistoryCenter.com. |
| Scar-etta Trolley Ghost Tour - Friday, April 2, 8:00 pm, Historic Marietta Trolley Company, 131 Church Street, Marietta. Join us for a 90-minute trolley ride and brief walk through the historic streets of Marietta. Whether it is the departed spirit of a Civil War soldier, or a mysterious resident of one of Marietta's stately homes or businesses, you will hear the stories behind these mysteries. Every ghost and haunting has a story. Tickets: Adults $25.00, Children (12 & under) $12.00. Reservations required. Directions: I-75 to Exit #265 (GA Hwy. 120 / North Marietta Parkway). Turn west onto North Marietta Parkway / GA Hwy. 120 Loop. Travel 1.8 miles to Church Street. Turn left; on your right in 0.2 miles. 770-425-1006,www.mariettatrolley.com. |
| Washington-Wilkes Tour of Homes - Friday & Saturday, April 2 & 3, Washington. Annual spring tour of area private homes, many of which date from the antebellum period. Special events, speakers, museums, restaurant and shop offers throughout the weekend. Also visit Holly Court Inn, where Mrs. Jefferson Davis stayed in 1865. Tickets required for home tours. Directions: I-20 to Exit #148 or #172, follow signs north to Washington. 706-678-2013, www.wwtourofhomes.com/. |
|
“Our Common Heritage”:
1860, Part I -
Saturday, April 3, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, Robert Toombs House State
Historic Site, 216 East Robert Toombs Avenue, Washington. “Toombs’
Family and Friends” will present the period dance group 1860s
Civilian Society of Georgia. Program focus will be on Robert Toombs,
Alexander Stephens and William Littleton Harris, as performers bring
to life excerpts from historical documentation, in this unique view
into the Southern Culture of 1860. Admission:
Free with Washington-Wilkes Tour of Homes ticket, or regular
admission of $2.00 to $3.00. Directions:
I-20 to Exit #148 or #172, follow signs north to Washington. 706-678-2226, http://gastateparks.org/info/ |
|
Spring Re-Opening of the Village at Indian Springs -
Saturday, April 3, South Georgia Hwy. 34, Flovilla. Opening
day of the 2010 season for this historic Indian Springs attraction. Better
known for its Native American history, Indian Springs was also a
campsite used by Federal forces during Sherman’s March to the Sea. A
historic hotel, camping, gardens, nature center, vineyard and more
are nearby. Directions:
I-75 to Exit #205, east on Georgia Hwy. 16 to Jackson, then six on
Georgia Hwy. 42 to Indian Springs. 770-775-5350, www.thevillageatindiansprings. |
|
New Manchester History Hike -
Saturdays, April 3, 10, 17 & 24, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, Sweetwater
State Park, 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs. This
easy-to-moderate mile-long hike will lead us to the impressive ruins
of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill, focusing on the
history of Sweetwater Creek valley. Other
highlights of this tour will include seeing the lovely whitewater
rapids. Great
photo opportunities! Admission: $2.00 to $3.00 per
person, plus $5.00 parking. Directions: Take
I-20 west of
Atlanta to Exit #44 (Thornton Road), turn south and go 1/4 mile. Turn
right on Blairs Bridge Road, go 2 miles and turn left on Mount
Vernon Road. 770-732-5871, http://gastateparks.org/info/ |
| General John Bell Hood and the Atlanta Campaign - Monday, April 5, 7:00 pm, Visitors Center, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Lecture by Dr. John D. Fowler. Admission: Free. 770-427-4686, www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm. |
| “Mommy & Me” Preschool Program: Flags, Whistles and Bells - Thursday, April 8, 10:00 am, Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw. Come find out how Civil War soldiers communicated during wartime. Part of a series designed for children 3 to 5 years old and their parents. Admission fee. Directions: I-75 to Exit #273, turn west on Wade Green Road (which becomes Cherokee Street). The museum is on the right hand side; parking is directly across the street on the left. 770-427-2117,http://southernmuseum.org/. |
|
Park Volunteers Day - Saturday, April 10, throughout Georgia. This is the annual event for volunteers to help maintain and preserve parks and other Civil War era historic sites & attractions across Georgia. Past volunteer activities have included painting signs and fences, reinstalling headstones, and laying trails. Many locations will provide tools, food, drinks, t-shirts, tours and more. Contact these Georgia sites (listed in alphabetical order) or others for additional information if you want to help:
---Alexander H. Stephens State Historic Park, Crawfordville, www.gastateparks.org, at 706-456-2602.
---Andersonville National Historic Site, Andersonville, www.nps.gov/ande/, 229-924-0343
---Blue & Gray Museum,
Fitzgerald, www.fitzgeraldga.org/blue&
---Chickamauga National Military Park, Fort Oglethorpe, www.nps.gov/chch, Patrice Glass at 423-752-5213x137 or patrice_glass@nps.gov.
---Evergreen Cemetery,
Fitzgerald, www.fitzgeraldga.org/blue&
---Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, www.nps.gov/kemo, Benita Duling at 770-427-4686 or benita_duling@nps.gov.
---Dalton Confederate Cemetery, Dalton, Marvin Sowder at 706-278-3925 or msowder@dalton.net.
---Fort McAllister State Historic Park, Richmond Hill, www.gastateparks.org, Danny Brown at 912-727-2339 or daniel_brown@dnr.state.ga.us.
---Fort Pulaski National Monument, Savannah, www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm, 912-786-5787
---Hofwyl-Broadfield
Plantation State Historic Site, Brunswick, http://gastateparks.org/Hofwyl
---Jefferson Davis Memorial
State Historic Site, Irwinville, www.gastateparks.org,
at 229-831-2335 or jeff_davis_state_park@dnr.
---Magnolia Springs State Park, Millen, www.gastateparks.org, 478-982-1660 or magsps@burke.net.
---Old Governor’s Mansion, Milledgeville, www.gcsu.edu/mansion, Matt Davis at 478-445-4545 or matt.davis@gcsu.edu.
---Pickett’s Mill Battlefield
State Historic Site, Dallas, www.gastateparks.org,
James Wooton at 770-443-7850 or picketts_mill_park@dnr.state.
---Prater’s Mill, Varnell, www.pratersmill.org, Judy Alderman at 706-694-6455 or judy@pratersmill.org.
---Robert Toombs House State
Historic Site, Washington, www.gastateparks.org,
Marcia Campbell at 706-456-2602 orRobert_Toombs.Park@dnr.state.
---Tunnel Hill (Railroad
Tunnel and Clisby Austin House), www.tunnelhillheritagecenter. |
|
Behind the Scenes Tour -
April 12 at 5:30 pm, April 18 at 12:30 pm, April 24 at 9:30 am, Hay
House, 934 Georgia Avenue, Macon. Tour
all seven levels of this 1850’s National Historic Landmark,
including the newly restored cupola with its spectacular 360-degree
view of Macon. Admission: $20.00; reservations are
required. 478-742-8155, www.georgiatrust.org/historic_ |
| Brown Bag Banter: The Confederate General Rides North - Thursday, April 15, 11:30 am, Marietta Museum of History, 1 Depot Street, on the Square in Marietta. Amanda Gable will speak as part of this lunchtime series. Directions: I-75 to Exit #263, west on South Marietta Parkway, turn right on North Marietta Parkway, then right on Mill Street. Parking in lot across railroad tracks from the museum. 770-794-5710,www.mariettahistory.org. |
|
Camp Lawton
Archaeological Dig -
Saturday, April 17, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Magnolia Springs State Park,
U.S. Hwy. 25, Millen. The
Georgia Southern University Archaeology Department is conducting a
dig to find the stockade from the Civil War prisoner-of-war “Camp
Lawton”, located at Magnolia Springs. The
public is welcome to observe. Directions:
Located five miles north of Millen, on the right. Admission:
$5.00 parking. 478-982-1660, http://gastateparks.org/MagSpr |
|
Hay Day -
Saturday, April 17, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Hay House, 934 Georgia
Avenue, Macon. Educational
and fun activities for the whole family. Hands-on
activities, performances, tours, exhibits and games for the whole
family. Admission:
Free. 478-742-8155, www.georgiatrust.org/historic_ |
| Sheep to Shawl - Saturday, April 17, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. Take a tour of the 1860 Tullie Smith Farm house and learn about nineteenth-century farm life with demonstrations of sheep sheering, blacksmithing, candle making and open hearth cooking. Listen to stories and old time music and tour the Quarry Garden. Admission fee. Directions: I-75 to Exit #255. East on West Paces Ferry Road approximately 2.7 miles; the center is on the right. 404-814-4000, www.AtlantaHistoryCenter.com. |
| 34th Annual Big Shanty Festival - Saturday & Sunday, April 17 & 18, downtown Kennesaw. The entire downtown area will be jam packed with people enjoying the best of today’s fun-filled activities while at the same time enjoying the rich heritage of Kennesaw and the Civil War era. Free admission. Directions: I-75 to Exit #273, turn west to downtown Kennesaw. 770-423-1330, http://cobbcvb.com. |
|
Springtime at The Homestead -
Saturday & Sunday, April 17 & 18, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Red Top
Mountain State Park, 50 Lodge Road, Cartersville. Step
back in time to the 1800’s during Springtime activities at the
Vaughan Cabin. Experience
the evolution of early American pioneer life over a 75-year period,
including the Civil War years, as interpreters and skilled crafts
people bring the past to life. $5.00
parking. Directions: I-75
to Exit #285, then 1-1/2 miles east. 770-975-0055, http://gastateparks.org/info/ |
| Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage - Wednesday through Sunday, April 21 through 25, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Georgia’s Antebellum Trail, between Athens and Macon. Pilgrimage features events and tours along the Antebellum Trail as well as entrance into private, historic homes not usually open to the public. Tickets: $25.00, includes access to several attractions and/or events. Complementary tours, free events and other activities will be included during the week. 800-709-7406, www.antebellumtrail.org. |
| Junior Ranger Day - Saturday, April 24, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Visitors Center, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Annual event held just for kids! Each child has the opportunity to become a junior ranger. If you already a junior ranger you can earn a limited edition badge and certificate. Special goodies, games, face painting and giveaways. Meet the Chick-Fil-A cow. Admission: Free. 770-427-4686,www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm. |
| 146th Kingston Confederate Memorial Day Service - Sunday, April 25, 2:30 pm, Kingston Methodist Church, 13 East Main Street, Kingston. Kingston has honored their 250 unknown soldiers since April 23, 1865. The Kingston Woman’s History Club began and carries on the tradition, now honoring all war veterans. Military salute by the American Legion with grave decoration at Confederate Cemetery by area Boys Scouts and local children Reception and open house to follow this service at the Kingston Museum. Free admission. Directions: I-75 to Exit #293, southwest on U.S. Hwy. 411 to Kingston. 770-336-7053, www.notatlanta.org. |
| Georgia Frontier Days - Thursday, April 29 through Sunday, May 2, Antebellum Plantation, Stone Mountain Park, U.S. Hwy. 78 East, Stone Mountain. Journey through hundreds of years of history with live demonstrations of pre-Revolutionary times, the pioneer era and the Civil War. Meet De Soto’s explorers and learn what they encountered here in the 1500s. Have a chat with General James Oglethorpe, founder of the Georgia colony. See a Civil War cavalry unit with horses in action. Learn about weaponry, war strategy, battlefield medicine, frontier skills, cooking, music, clothing of the time period and much more. Admission: $10.00. Directions: I-285 to Exit #39, east on U.S. Highway 78. 770-498-5690,www.stonemountainpark.com. |
| Civil War Camp Living History - Thursday & Friday, April 29 & 30, Swainsboro/Emanuel County Recreation Center, McLeod Bridge Road, Swainsboro. Civil War reenactors will host area school children for brief demonstrations. Directions: I-16 to Exit #90, north on U.S. Highway 1 to Swainsboro. 478-237-6426, www.emanuelchamber.org. |
|
“Ruins to Rapids” Full Moon
Hike - Friday, April
30, 8:00 to 10:00 pm, Sweetwater State Park, 1750 Mount Vernon Road,
Lithia Springs. This
1-1/2 mile guided hike is moderately difficult. It
visits the Civil War era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and
follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. The
hike will continue if overcast but will be cancelled if raining. Bring
a flashlight and sturdy shoes. Admission:
$5.00 per person, plus $5.00 parking. Directions: Take
I-20 west of
Atlanta to Exit #44 (Thornton Road), turn south and go 1/4 mile. Turn
right on Blairs Bridge Road, go 2 miles and turn left on Mount
Vernon Road. 770-732-5871, http://gastateparks.org/info/ |
| Gardens, Mansions & Moonlight - Friday through Sunday, April 30 through May 2, Hay House, 934 Georgia Avenue, downtown Macon. Named one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast, this event includes the Secret Gardens Tour in the Vineville National Historic District, the Historic Homes Tour in the Macon National Historic District, the Moonlight Tour of Homes in the Shirley Hills National Historic District, and a garden expo in Central City Park. The latter features unique plants, garden art and antiques and related garden items, plus gardening demonstrations. Tickets include tour of the National Historic Landmark Hay House, a spectacular antebellum home built in 1859. 478-742-8155, www.hayhouse.org. |