Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails - Events

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

OCTOBER 2010

“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.

Ringgold Gap Festival - Friday & Saturday, October 1 & 2, Robin Road, Ringgold.  Commemorating the 1863 Battle of Ringgold Gap, activities include a Civil War living history camp, exhibits, and a reenactment of the Battle of Ringgold Gap and other entertainment.  Free admission.  Directions: I-75 to Exit #348, north on Georgia Hwy. 151 to Robin Road, then right to festival site.  706-965-1249, www.ringgoldgapfestival.com.

42nd Annual Great Locomotive Chase Festival - Friday through Sunday, October 1 through 3, Adairsville. Popular arts and crafts festival in the town that witnessed Andrews’ Raiders Civil War escapade.  Enjoy food, entertainment, and Saturday parade, with street dance in the evenings and gospel singing on Sunday.  Visit the depot railroad museum.  Admission $3.00.  Directions: I-75 to Exit 306, west on Georgia Hwy. 140 to Main Street, turn left then go one mile to Adairsville Public Square.  770-773-3451, www.notatlanta.org.

Battle of Allatoona Pass - Saturday & Sunday, October 2 & 3, Allatoona Pass Battlefield, near Cartersville. 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.  Explore life in the tent city, and enjoy rifle and cannon demonstrations.  Visit the Clayton-Mooney House, used as a hospital during the Civil War.  Admission to house tour.  Directions: I-75 to Exit #283, go east 1-1/2 miles to battle site.  Shuttle and parking available at Allatoona Landing Marina, just beyond the event site.  770-975-4226, www.redtopmountain.com/.

Kennesaw Mountain Trails Workday - Saturday, October 9, 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.

Prater’s Mill Country Fair - Saturday & Sunday, October 9 & 10, Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Prater’s Mill, about eight miles northeast of Dalton.  Stroll among displays of original artwork and craft demonstrations.  Enjoy pony rides and hiking on the nature trail or paddle down Coahulla Creek.  Taste the finest Southern cooking and tap your toes to authentic mountain music.  You can even buy a bag of freshly ground cornmeal at this historic Civil War era mill, used as a campsite at different times by both Union and Confederate soldiers.  Admission: adults $5.00, children under 12 free.  I-75 to Exit #341, north on GA Hwy. 201 to GA Hwy. 2, then east.  706-694-6455, www.PratersMill.org.

“Labor Pains”: The Birth of the U.S. Army Signal Corps - Monday, October 18, 7:00 pm, Visitors Center, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.  Presentation by historian Steven J. Rauch.  Admission: Free.  770-427-4686, www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm.

“Ruins to Rapids” Full Moon Hike - Friday, October 22, 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/.

Candle Lantern Tour - Saturday, October 24, 7:00 pm., Fort McAllister State Historic Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill.  Tour Fort McAllister by candle light and witness skits put on by Civil War soldiers as they carry out their nightly duties. Be sure to stay with your guide or you may be captured as a spy.  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/.

3rd Annual “Run Like Heck” - Saturday, October 30, 9:00 am, Historic Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Avenue SE, Atlanta.  Annual 5K and 1K fun runs for all ages through the Grant Park neighborhood and historic Oakland Cemetery, a fund-raiser to help maintain the cemetery.  Oakland is the final resting place of author Margaret Mitchell, Great Locomotive Chase participant William Fuller, Georgia’s Civil War era Governor Joseph E. Brown, Confederate General, Georgia Governor and U.S. Senator John B. Gordon, plus nearly 7,000 other Confederate soldiers.  Registration fee.  Directions: I-20 to Exit #59A, north on Boulevard to Memorial Drive, left on Memorial Drive to Oakland Avenue, proceed to cemetery entrance on the right.  404-688-2107, www.oaklandcemetery.com.