Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails

Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails - Events

March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

MAY 2010

Georgia Frontier Days - Thursday through Sunday, April 29 through 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.

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.

Camp Lawton Archaeological Dig - Saturday, May 1, 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/.

Civil War Battle & Camp Reenactment - Saturday, May 1, 2:00 pm, Swainsboro/Emanuel County Recreation Center, McLeod Bridge Road, Swainsboro. The annual Pine Tree Festival and Southeast Timber Expo will once again host a live Civil War Camp and battle reenactment. Directions: I-16 to Exit #90, north on U.S. Highway 1 to Swainsboro. 478-237-6426, www.emanuelchamber.org.

New Manchester History Hike - Saturdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, Sweetwater Creek 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/sweetwater/.

National Preservation Month at Stately Oaks - Saturdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Stately Oaks Plantation, 100 Carriage Lane, Jonesboro. The Living History Guild will be demonstrating skills from the 1850s and 1860s. Come see different types of weaving, wool preparation and weaving, cooking on a hearth, wood stove and cob oven, plus knitting, crochet, sewing and other needlework. Free admission to the grounds; fee to tour the plantation house. Directions: I-75 to Exit #233, south on Jonesboro Road approximately 4 miles. Turn left on College Street, cross railroad tracks, and immediately turn right on McDonough Street.   Turn left on Carriage Lane to front gate. 770-473-0197, www.historicaljonesboro.org.

29th Annual Old Clinton “War Days” Festival - Saturday & Sunday, May 1 & 2, Gates open at 9:00 am each day, Old Clinton Historic District, near Gray. Come to Old Clinton and take a step back in time, when the Battles of Sunshine Church and Griswoldville during Sherman’s March to the Sea are re-created. “Battles” at 2:00 pm each day. The McCarthy-Pope House, circa 1809, will be open for tour. The house will be furnished and decorated in the era of the War Between the States. Miss Annie’s Store will display a wide variety of war relics, an exhibit of Griswold pistol parts, a finished Griswold pistol, a Burnside carbine, other war weapons and authentic Confederate currency. Saturday will conclude with a memorial service at 8:00 pm in the Old Clinton Cemetery to honor Clinton’s Confederate dead. Admission: Adults $5.00, Students (under 18) $3.00, Children (under 6) free. The memorial service is free for everyone. Directions: Clinton is located 12 miles NE of Macon, 1-1/2 miles SW of Gray, one block west of U.S. Highway 129. 478-986-6383, www.jonescounty.org.

Scar-etta Trolley Ghost Tour - Friday, May 7, 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.

Kennesaw Mountain Trails Workday - Saturday, May 8, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The Kennesaw Mountain Trail Club helps maintain the trails at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. There are no membership requirements other than a willingness to work. Trail building experience not necessary. Meet at the park maintenance area behind the Visitor Center. The Park provides all necessary tools and safety equipment. 770-427-4686, www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm.

Battle of Resaca Reenactment - Friday through Sunday, May 14 through 16, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Chitwood Farm, Resaca. One of the largest reenactments in Georgia, held on a portion of the actual battlefield. Visit the camps, talk with the “soldiers”, participate in a ladies tea, and witness cavalry competitions, period music, and living history first-hand. Sutler wares, food and beverages available. Admission: $5.00 adults, $2.00 children under 12, infants free. Directions: I-75 to Exit #320, east into Resaca, then three miles north on U.S. Hwy. 41. Turn right on Chitwood Road, follow the signs. 706-625-3200, www.georgiadivision.org/bor_reenactment.html.

Alabama Monument Dedication - Saturday, May 22, 2:00 pm, Allatoona Pass Battlefield, near Cartersville. Dedication of a monument to the memory of soldiers from the State of Alabama who fought in the October 1864 Battle of Allatoona. This monument joins similar state monuments in tribute to soldiers from both North and South. Walk through the railroad cut in the pass. Tour the star fort earthworks, and follow the old Tennessee Road as the soldiers did in 1864. Directions: I-75 to Exit #283, go east 1-1/2 miles to battle site. 770-606-8862, www.evhsonline.org.

“Swamp Thing: The Return” - Saturday, May 22, Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum & Nature Center, 681 Fort Argyle Road, Savannah. A lantern tour which includes Civil War vignettes. In one scene, a local plantation owner riding a horse is stopped and clubbed by Union army soldiers when he tries to keep them from taking his horse. In another scene, a Confederate force burns the bridge over the Ogeechee River and retreats down the Towpath firing at the approaching Union soldiers. Rain date: May 29. Directions: I-95 to Exit #94, northwest on GA Hwy. 204 about two miles; on the left. 912-748-8068, www.savannahogeecheecanal.com.

“Mommy & Me” Preschool Program: A Civil War Child’s Life - Thursday, May 27, 10:00 am, Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw. Come find out how children lived during the Civil War. 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.

“Ruins to Rapids” Full Moon Hike - Friday, May 28, 8:00 to 10:00 pm, Sweetwater Creek 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/sweetwater/.

Day at Fort Hollingsworth-White House - Saturday, May 29, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Fort Hollingsworth-White House, 2307 Wynn Lake Road, Alto. Come and experience a pioneer fort built in 1793. Enjoy live entertainment, Confederate battle reenactments; story-telling about the fort days; a tour of the fort; and period art works and demonstrations. Bring a lawn chair and spend the afternoon. Admission: Free, except for a small fee to tour the fort. Directions (from Atlanta): I-85 north to Exit #149 (U.S. Highway 441). North on US 441, looking for the Fort Hollingsworth-White House historic sign marker on the right across from Irvin’s Store. Turn left at Irvin’s Store (Apple Pie Ridge Road) then turn left at the 4-way stop onto Historic 441. Turn right onto Wynn Lake Road. The fort will be on the right. 706-754-4538, www.forthollingsworth-whitehouse.com.

Memorial Day Celebration - Saturday, May 29, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Fort McAllister State Historic Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill. Civil War troops will gather to present musket and cannon firings at this coastal fort. See how the soldiers’ everyday life compares to ours. Admission: $3.50 to $5.00. Directions: I-95 to Exit #90, then east about 10 miles on GA Hwy. 144 and GA Hwy. 144 Spur. 912-727-2339, www.gastateparks.org/fortmcallister/.

Memorial Day Observance - Sunday, May 30, 1:30 to 3:00 pm, Andersonville National Historic Site, near Americus. Annual activities begin with instrumental music performed by a military band.  The program will follow with a color guard, rifle salute, and the traditional laying of wreaths. Admission: Free. Directions: Approaching from the north via I-75, take Exit #149, follow Georgia Hwy. 49 south, through the towns of Fort Valley, Marshallville, Montezuma and Oglethorpe. The entrance to the park is on the left, approximately 10 miles south of Oglethorpe. Approaching from the South via I-75, take Exit #101, follow U.S. Hwy. 280 west to Americus. Turn north on Georgia Hwy. 49, to the park entrance on your right, approximately 10 miles north of Americus. 229-924-0343, www.nps.gov/ande/.