Volume 21, No. 2 • Summer 2003

WORK CONTINUES ON MoM

Monies are being raised to renovate the Main Street building which will house Museum on Main and to develop and install exhibits in the museum. Though the building is in good structural condition, adding rest rooms, a security systems, proper heating and air conditioning controls, lighting, display cases, and a theater area means that costs will mount once construction begins.

In addition to fundraising, committee members are also considering what the initial exhibits will be -- both the long term and the changing displays. Exhibit designers are expected to be brought in to help prepare the exhibit but much planning remains to be done. General guidelines already accepted by the group are that about half of the museum will consist of long-term displays and about half will be changing exhibits. There will always be something different for West Georgia residents to see and enjoy. Topics will cover major development themes in West Georgia history, from Indians to textiles to education to sports, and many other subjects.

Stay tuned for more developments and please help support the museum with your financial contributions!

HERITAGE EDUCATION 2003

The week started with a walking tour of Broad and Vernon Street during which historic sites which related to the Civil War, the Creek Indian War of 1836, World War I and World War II were spotlighted. A highlight of the tour was a visit to Ferrell Gardens at Hills and Dales. In addition to learning about changes at the gardens and future plans from Executive Director Carleton Wood, the teachers toured the garden as they journeyed back in time to April 17, 1865 when Union troops lead by Col. Oscar H. LaGrange marched from West Point into LaGrange. On that day, the Gardens and the home of the Ferrell family were saved, thanks in part to the religious symbols found throughout the gardens. The heat of the long walk back to LaGrange was lessened (at least mentally) by the singing of military songs. Archives staff member Lance Jones lead the group in “Over There”, “Yankee Doodle Dandy”, “Eating Goober Peas”, march chants, and much more.

The highlight of the week was visiting Ann and Bill Petry’s home in Liberty Hill. They generously fed the group and shared stories about their families’ involvements in various war, especially the Civil War when Ann’s ancestor Ujanirtus Allen wrote letters to his wife. These letters were featured in the book, Campaigning with “Old Stonewall”.

The highlights of the week did not stop with the visit to the Petry’s. A stop at the nearby Adamson Cemetery in southwestern Heard County brought to life the sadness caused by war -- a soldier dies, a family buries him in their family cemetery without ever knowing his name or where he was from, and the soldier’s family never knows what happened to the remains of their loved one.

Teachers at Adamson Cemetery & the tomb of the unknown soldier.

On Thursday, the group visited LaGrange-Callaway Airport. The airfield, which dated from the 1920s, got longer runways as part of the home defense efforts of World War II -- a development which still benefits us today. Captain Joe Fagundes, retired Delta pilot, showed the teachers his two World War II-era planes and let the teachers climb into one of the planes so they could experience the feel and smell of the plane. He also shared his experiences as a pilot during the Vietnam War where he flew helicopter rescue missions to save downed pilots.

Carol Cain then performed “Rosie the Riveter” for the group -- in seven parts. She went from being a young girl who joined the work force at Valway Mills to make canteen covers to working in various assembly plants across the nation. The United States owes a great debt of gratitude to these Rosies. Thanks in large part to Carol’s performances at the Little White House (which came after originating her “act” for the Troup County Historical Society in a fiftieth anniversary of World War II remembrance), Rosies have formed an organization with over seven hundred members.

On Friday, the group shared their projects with fellow participants. Projects ranged from a dramatization of the Nancy Harts, to a game show about Troup County’s military history (a great way to get a class to review for a test without their actually realizing they are reviewing), to a Powerpoint presentation about the history of the LaGrange Armory. All in all, it was a wonderful week!

ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS

Moncus has already conducted interviews with a number of people, including Betsy Moultrie, Julia Dyar, Oliver and Annie Greene, Frank and Laura Lewis, Seale Hipp, Virginia Gunn, and others. Interviews will soon be conducted with residents of Hogansville, West Point, and communities in the county, including Gabbettville.

Mike interviewed two “celebrities” as part of the project. Following LaGrange College’s graduation in May, he interviewed Terry Kay, who gave the commencement address, and Lee Walburn who received an honorary doctorate degree that day. They talked about their time as students at LaGrange College and how the college has influenced their careers since then. Mike also interviewed Lee about growing up in LaGrange. He lived in the Callaway mill village and attended Berta Weathersbee and LaGrange High Schools.

A total of 50 interviews will be conducted as part of this grant project. Planning is now underway to continue this project after the grant period. If you know of someone who should be interviewed for the project, please let the staff at the Archives (884-1828) know the person’s name, their phone number, and general details about their life. This is a tremendous project. Facets of our history that cannot be preserved in any other way,- such as stories about family life or tales about playing with other children on the street or about the development of local businesses and schools, are being brought to life.

Museum Exhibits

Museum on Main, the history museum of the people of West Georgia, has become a member of the American Association of Museums (AAM) where all members are urged to “embrace their responsibility to be active and collaborative civic institutions and to respond to the aspirations and needs of citizens in their communities.” The AAM’s push for civic responsibility promotes a bridge between community and museum. Steps are being taken by the planners of MoM to utilize the recommendations of the AAM’s “Museums & Community Initiative” to expand its civic role in West Georgia and provide a platform for voices to be heard about museum content. The principles informing the Museums and Community Initiative are:

• Museums are defining new relationships with communities based upon expanded mutual understanding, recognition of common concerns and interests, and a desire to collaborate for the benefit of the community.
• This process of expanded participation by museums in community life, and by communities in museums, is invigorating but hard work and requires an ability to take risks and entertain new ideas.
• Collaboration between museums and communities requires sharing creativity, vision, responsibility, and resources.

Currently, LaGrange resident Christine DiFeliciantonio is working with Kaye Minchew to collect the “voices” in the community that will tell the story of LaGrange College and how it may be delivered to convey the rich memories of the institution’s past. An on-line survey is being designed and will be made available to anyone who wants his or her voice heard. The survey will be available for a period of 10 days later this summer from July 10-20. Please point your Internet browser to this site (http://www.trouparchives.org). You will see a link for the survey on the first or home page. Then just follow the directions (specifically, after the first few questions, you will be asked to hit submit. Please do so and the second page of questions will appear.) You can also come to the Troup County Archives at 136 Main Street in LaGrange and take the survey there. Your voice is appreciated!

HISTORY DAY 2003: NINE STATE WINNERS!

We were thrilled to learn that nine of our students qualified for the National History Day Contest. In the entire state, fifty-four students qualified for the national contest -- Troup County had one-sixth of the state’s entries for National. The students represented four schools.

At national, alas, none of Georgia’s students won, though they all had a tremendous time and learned a lot. Adam Barnett, an eight grader at West Side, was honored as the top finisher for the state of Georgia. Adam also competed in National History Day in 2002. Congratulations Adam!

Additionally, three of our students, Katie Cain, Lauren Altemari, and Sarah Goff, also of West Side, showed their junior group exhibit on the visually impaired and their guide dogs at the National Museum of American History. The students enjoyed an added treat this year when they were invited to attend the Governor’s Awards Program of the Georgia Humanities Council. Besides being recognized at lunch, they got to hear the Governor speak and several had their photographs made with Governor Perdue.

Soon our students will start preparing for the 2004 contest. The theme will be “Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History.” This promises to be another great year.

State History Day winners from Troup County:

Junior Group Exhibits: Katie Cain, Lauren Altemari, Sarah Goff, “A Right to be Led, A Responsibility to Follow: The Visually Impaired and their Guide Dogs.” West Side, teacher Cindy Lukken & Cathi Martin. Grade8

Senior Individual Performances: Amanda Adams, “The Private Life of Dale Messick: Brenda Starr Investigates.” Callaway High, teacher Rosemary Steffenelli, Grade 9.

Junior Individual Performances: Lauren Wagner, “The Bobbin Girl: Child Labor in the Early 1900s,” Gardner Newman Middle School, teacher Greg Morris, Grade 8 (Unfortunately, Lauren did not get to go to National and instead attended a special program at Duke University this summer.)

Junior Individual Documentary: Trae Long, “The Draft, The Rights of the Country and Your Responsibilities.” LaGrange Academy, teacher Mike Petite, Grade 7.

Junior Group Documentary: Stephen Ennis & Marshall Evans, “Northern Ireland: A Question of Right(s)”. Gardner Newman, teacher Greg Morris, Grade 8.

Honorable Mention, Junior Group Documentary: Scott Breyfogle & Jeffery Simmons, “Ukraine: Rights and Responsibilities after the Breakup of the Soviet Union.” West Side, Teacher Cindy Lukken & Cathi Martin, Grade 6.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR NATIONAL HISTORY DAY STUDENTS. YOU MAKE US PROUD EVERY YEAR!

RECENT ACCESSIONS

• Allen, Sybil, LaGrange. School and World War II memorabilia and letters of Nick Allen.
  
• Allen, L. Duncan, LaGrange. Information on Callaway Baptist Preachers, How Does Your Cotton Grow, books on architecture, My Life Story by Walter Pope Binns.
  
• Bassett, Baylor and Synovus Bank, LaGrange. Papers, photographs, books, and LaGrange High School memorabilia from the Estate of Matsy Deal.
  
• Beason, Ann, LaGrange. Photographs of Tom Hutchinson’s Junior Class, LaGrange High School, c. 1930s; LaGrange Rotary Club, 1969.
  
• Boggs, Gloria, LaGrange. Information on Long Cane Baptist Church Cemetery.
  
• Cook, Katherine, LaGrange and Earl Cook, Atlanta. Scrapbooks and awards of former LaGrange Mayor Frank C. Tigner.
  
• Cook, Wynette, Hogansville. 1942 LaGrange High School news articles on “Jesters,” Drama Club.
  
• England, Bill, LaGrange. Copies of The LaGrange Reporter, 1893 issues.
  
• Ehernberger, James L., Cheyenne, WY. Photographs and negatives of Stanley Hutchinson, 1910s-1940s.
  
• Jackson, Barry, LaGrange. Pictorial History of Coweta County, 2 vols.; blueprints for cotton gin (Swift & Company, later Glass Gin Company) located on North Dixie Street.
  
• Jones, Debbie, LaGrange. Tokens for LaGrange Coach Company and LaGrange Theatre.
  
• Joseph, Emily, LaGrange. Records relating to planning and construction of LaGrange-Troup Recycling Center; Troup County Clean and Beautiful Committee; materials relating to LaGrange Junior Woman’s Club, Junior Service League, Holly Garden Club.
  
• May, Angie, LaGrange, Photographs and Negatives from Taskett Studios.
  
• Mitchell, Kay Fuller and Chad, Lake Wylie, SC. Early Southern Fullers.
  
• Moore, George Edward, Midwest City, OK. Moore Clan of GA & SC. Moore is both the author and the donor.
  
• Sheppard, Melvin, LaGrange. 1920s era ledger book found in abandoned building on Highway 54 in Hogansville. May have belonged to Johnson’s Cash Store.
  
• Welch, Sara, LaGrange. Nocturne Garden Club, minutes, membership, scrapbooks.
  
• Worrell, Richard H., LaGrange. Two chairs used in waiting area of Callaway Mills General Office.

WEST POINT ARCHEOLOGY

The earliest feature currently being studied is the remains of a covered bridge built by noted builder Horace King, in 1838. King was born into slavery in 1807, was later freed, and went on to become a master covered bridge builder. This bridge along with the railroad trestle were burned on April 17, 1865 by Union Troops as they departed on the day following the Battle of West Point. The 5 x 15 meter middle log support is almost perfectly preserved below the waterline.

Also on the site are the remains of a steamboat believed to be the C. W. Jones. The stern paddle-wheeler boat broke loose from the wharf in a storm in 1888, drifted into the wagon bridge, and sank.

Work plans for the season include the creation of an overall map of the entire site using GPS equipment on loan from the DNR – Historic Preservation Division and more detailed study of the King bridge site. The study is being supported by a grant from the Troup County Historical Society.

For more information about this project, contact Charles Kelly at the Troup County Archives, 706-884-1828.

Lillian Clark Collection

E. B. and Nancy Clark with their baby Lillian

Miss Lillian Clark was all these things and much more. Her home on Park Avenue was a wellspring of local history. Fortunately, the new owners, Michael and Jennifer Key, contacted the Troup County Archives (which had long wanted the materials) before tossing the many boxes that has been left in their new home.

The Archives is completing the accessioning of Miss Clark’s amazing collection that covers most of the twentieth century. The collection contains histories of LaGrange High School, First Baptist Church, Southern Female College and LaGrange College. Of particular interest are the writings of Miss Clark. These include high school themes, speeches and plays. Genealogists will find histories of the Wallace, Clark, and related families as well as accounts by E. B. Clark and Nancy Wallace Clark (Lillian’s parents) of their life. Photographs date the family through the decades.

The Archives appreciates the donation of this collection and looks forward to making it available to researchers by late July.

DOCUMENT SPOTLIGHT

Here a cub scout pack gathered in front of a tent at Camp Clifford Smith, located just north of LaGrange off U. S. 27.

Photo by Stanley Hutchinson