The Heritage
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
In May Clovis Momon and I attended The Georgia Trust Annual Meeting in
Milledgeville, GA. The Society was presented an award for Excellence in
Rehabilitation of the Historic Courthouse. The Society was nominated by Jack
Pyburn, architect. We were one of only two courthouses nominated. We were
also asked to help advise Crawfordville with their courthouse’s rehabilitation.
Work is progressing on the elevator which will be located in the back
of the Historic Courthouse. This will be a great help in getting to the
Courthouse.
Bremen Garden Club is beginning work on the Bremen Room which will be
directly behind the Courtroom. Their plans when completed will really make a
beautiful room.
The remaining part of the year will be really busy. Immediately after
the Festival September 20, plans will begin for the Great Pumpkin Caper. The
Festival plans are really “coming together”. Numerous vendors have already
reserved spaces. We’ll start the day with the Haralson Quilters’ famous
biscuits and sausage. They will also furnish fried pies and the Society will
be selling hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks. There will be entertainment all day
with a parade at noon. Charlie Walker, Assistant to Commissioner Charles
Sanders, has graciously consented to the Grand Marshall. Charles has been
extremely helpful to the Society with the grants and rehabilitation. D.B.R.
will sponsor games and activities for the kiddies and car show at 5 P.M. They
also have plans for a street dance later that night.
We wish to thank all who have contributed work, time and money to the
success of the Society this year. We invite anyone interested to come join
with us, we need you. We meet every 2nd Monday night at 6:30.
Peggy Kimball, President
THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE
The Old Haralson County Courthouse was built during 1891-1892 and was
one of only seven in Georgia designed in the Queen Ann style by the prominent
Bruce and Morgan architectural firm. It is the first structure in Haralson
County to be placed on State and National Registers.
This is a two-story building plus a basement and the structure measures
64 x 92 feet. It has a stone base with a solid 14-inch brick wall. There is a
100 foot clock tower containing the original clock mechanism, a round stair
tower, arched windows with stained glass accents in the courtroom area and
stone accents throughout. Each floor contains 5,888 square feet and the
basement covers 2,000 square feet making a total of 13,776 square feet.
The large Superior Court Room is located on the second floor and is now
available for community use. It contains the bar, jury boxes, Judge’s Bench
and a raised floor which seats 250 - 300 people comfortably. During this
Summer it was used for the taping of a video by the Yin Yang Twins and most
recently for a wedding. There is a full kitchen located downstairs to
facilitate in such events.
The Haralson County Quilters meet in their own room downstairs every
Monday morning at 8:00. The Haralson County Historical Society meets downstairs
on the 2nd Monday of the Month at 6:30 P.M.
New Christmas Ornaments are in. They are $10.00 each.
The old ones are all on clearance while supplies last.
1991-2000 are 3/ $10; 2001 & 2002 are $5 each.
The coffee mugs are now only $3.00. The 2003 calendars are now only $1.00.
FALL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
The Fall “Fair on the Square” is planned for Saturday, September 20th beginning
at 8:00 A.M.
Come out early for Sausage Biscuits and Fried Pies. There will be arts and
crafts, lots of food, and fun for the kids. The Historical Society will be
selling hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks. Other goodies will be available.
Roy Black, local artist and September Artist of the Month at the Bremen Library
will be present and have his work on display.
The Parade will begin at noon with Charlie Walker as Grand Marshall. If you
are interested in participating in the parade, contact Wayne Agan (770-646-
2514).
The car show will start at 5:00 P.M.
An application is at the back of this newsletter. For more information call
Cathy Jennings (770-646-9645) or Peggy Kimball (770-646-3509).
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Great Pumpkin Caper will be October 30. Hotdogs and Chili will be sold.
Costume Contest 6:00 P.M.
Story Telling 6:30 P.M.
Lighting of the Pumpkins 7:00 P.M.
Festival of Trees will be from Thanksgiving Day until December 8.
BOOKS
The long awaited Haralson County Cemetery Book is at the publishers. It
should be available sometime in November and will be priced in the neighborhood
of $30 - $40.
The reprinting of the Haralson County History book is being discussed. More on
that in the next issue of The Heritage.
LIBRARY NEWS
The Buchanan-Haralson Public Library which is housed in the downstairs area of
the Historic Courthouse opened in February and is experiencing phenomenal
success. Hundreds of our citizens of all ages are taking advantage of the
wonderful services offered by a public library - right here in the middle of
the Buchanan square. During June and July, a Vacation Reading Program was
enjoyed by dozens of children. The library, being staffed by willing
volunteers, has been open nine hours each week; 3 hours each on Tuesday,
Thursday, and Saturday.
Because of public interest and participation, that schedule will change on
Monday, September 29 and the library will be open 30 hours each week. Monday -
Thursday hours will be 11:30 A.M. - 6 P.M. and Saturday hours will be 10 A.M. -
2 P.M. The library will be closed on Fridays and Sundays.
The library has an exciting print collection and is also able to borrow from
the 200 plus libraries in the PINES system. Internet access for the public is
offered. At this time only a few videos are available. Some books on tape are
available and more expected in the near future.
Historical Society Officers
President Peggy Kimball 770-646-3509
Co-President Dr. Terrell McBrayer
1st Vice President Cathy Jennings (Membership Chair) 770-646-9645
2nd Vice President Karen Higgins (Publicity Chair) 770-646-5799
3rd Vice President Mary Jarrell (Library Chair) 770-646-3997
Secretary Jeri Ezell 770-537-4937
Treasurer Ann Bannister 770-646-8978
MEMBERSHIP
Membership dues are due in May. May 2003 has passed and many renewals are over
due and May 2004 is fast approaching. If you have not submitted your renewal
for 2003, please do so as soon as you can.
If you are thinking of joining for the first time, Wonderful!
Either way, here is a handy form for you to use. Membership is not expensive
and the cause is so worthwhile.
Save the Past, So the Memory Will Last
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
HARALSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P O Box 585
Buchanan, GA 30113
Mail this in or bing it to a meeting.
NAME_________________________________________________ PHONE____________________
MAILING
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INDIVIDUAL $10 / year __________________
FAMILY $15 / year _____________________