Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails - Events

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SEPTEMBER 2010

Labor Day Program - Saturday, September 4, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Fort McAllister State Historic Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill.  Civil War labor was much like ours today.  Witness blacksmithing, woodworking, cooking and other trades needed to the fort in operation.  Bring the kids to take part in old-fashion Civil War games.  Admission: $3.50 to $5.00.  Directions: I-95 to Exit #90, then east about 10 miles east on GA Hwy. 144 and GA Hwy. 144 Spur.  912-727-2339, www.gastateparks.org/fortmcallister/.

New Manchester History Hike - Saturdays, September 4, 11, 18 & 25, 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/.

“With Malice Toward None”: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition - Saturday, September 4 through Saturday, November 6, Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta.  This Library of Congress exhibition reveals Lincoln’s thoughts, words and actions.  Interactive computer stations, multimedia presentations, documents, books, artifacts, newspapers and photographs reveal his presidency.  The Atlanta History Center is the only venue in the South to host this special exhibition.  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.

Kennesaw Mountain Trails Workday - Saturday, September 11, 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 Tunnel Hill Civil War Reenactment - Saturday & Sunday, September 11 & 12, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, 288 Clisby Austin Road, Tunnel Hill.  Get ready for battle to unfold before your eyes, taking you back to 1864 when North and South fought on these very grounds.  The reenactment takes place on the grounds of the historic Clisby Austin House, and also includes Southern foods, sutler tents, encampments and an awesome experience!  Admission: Adults $5.00, children 6-12, $3.00, which includes the famous 1,477 foot Western and Atlantic Railroad tunnel built in 1850, plus the Tunnel Hill Heritage Center.  Directions: I-75, Exit #336, U.S. Hwy. 41 north 4-1/2 miles, right on Oak Street in Tunnel Hill; or I-75, Exit #339, U.S. Hwy. 41 south 4 miles, left on Oak Street.  706-876-1571, www.tunnelhillheritagecenter.com.

“No Greater Courage”: The Battle of Fredericksburg - Monday, September 13, 7:00 pm, Visitors Center, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.  Presentation on the December 1862 battle by Richard  Croker, followed by a book signing.  Admission: Free.  770-427-4686, www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm.

The Ride Home & Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall - September 17 through 26, Andersonville National Historic Site, near Americus.  The annual Rolling Thunder’s “Ride Home” is held to recognize and honor the nation’s “prisoners of war” (POW) and those “missing in action” (MIA) from all wars.  The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall and the “Some Gave All Moving Tribute” will be in the National Cemetery.  Come and reflect on the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.  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.

War Between the States Day & Battle of Chickamauga BBQ Cook-off - Saturday, September 18, Gordon-Lee Mansion and Crawfish Spring, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga.  What better way to learn about American History than to observe live re-enactments and demonstrations of how the average Civil War Soldier and the Women they left behind on the farm survived during one of the most trying times in our country's history, while enjoying award winning BBQ.  Directions: I-75 to Exit #350 (GA Highway 2 / Battlefield Parkway), west to Fort Oglethorpe, then south on U.S. Highway 27 to Five Points Road in the City of Chickamauga.  Turn right and follow to Georgia Hwy. 341, then south to Gordon-Lee Mansion.  It is on the right just south of downtown Chickamauga.  706-375-4728, www.GordonLeeMansion.com.

Heritage Village at Art in the Park Festival - Saturday & Sunday, September 18 & 19, Saturday 10 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm, Hurricane Shoals Park, south of Maysville.  Experience living history with demonstrations and tours of restored 1800’s cabins, Civil War infantry and Aid Society conducting drills, skirmishes, singing and a period church service.  Admission: Free.  Directions: I-85 to Exit #140, east on GA Hwy. 82, then north on GA Hwy. 82 Spur.  Park is one mile on the right after crossing over I-85 bridge.  706-335-6723, www.hurricaneshoalspark.org.

“Ruins to Rapids” Full Moon Hike - Friday, September 24, 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/sweetwater/.

Simply Southern Jubilee - Saturday, September 25, Nash Farm Battlefield Park, 4361 Jonesboro Road, Hampton.  The Jubilee includes a Memphis Barbecue Network sanctioned cook-off, bluegrass music, arts & crafts, children’s area, a Civil War living history, good food and more!  This year barbecue lovers can sample the fruits of the pro cooks’ labor and vote for their favorite by participating in the “People’s Choice.”  Part of event proceeds will benefit Nash Farm Battlefield Park.  Directions: I-75 to Exit #221 (Jonesboro Road), then west about 6 miles.  Entrance is on the left.  770-957-5786, www.simplysouthernjubilee.com/.