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DEL.ICIO.USWhere do you go for a taste of our region’s history?
Tell us your favorite historical places to visit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just the other day, my husband and I decided that our next planned trip should include a little culture for the kids. They are now at ages where they will actually remember their travels and retain some of the knowledge they soak up while on a trip.
With relatives living in Vienna and good friends in Paris, a European tour - chockablock with famous museums, baroque opera houses, and rich historical, literary and architectural enticements — naturally came to mind. However, I would prefer a better dollar-to-euro exchange rate before we embark on such an expensive excursion.
That doesn’t mean we have to shelve a horizon-broadening trip altogether. I realize that culture, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder. The South’s culture may not be as old as Europe’s or as exotic as Asia’s. But, it has modern international cities and many small-town reminders of a way of life long-ago (and not so long-ago) passed. A good understanding of our region’s history and where we’re heading could strengthen the cultural foundation for us all.
The good thing about starting a cultural tour in your own backyard is that you can break it up into many little trips. The temptation to squeeze every bit of enlightenment out of Europe could be very expensive, very exhausting or very much of both.
Over the next few weeks, I will be asking for your thoughts on some of the South’s best cultural destinations. One week, we will delve into literary haunts of the South. We may also spend a couple of weeks looking at the region’s many different centers for arts and music.
This week, however, let’s begin with our region’s historical culture. Tell us your favorite historical sites and why you like them. They can be anything from civil rights landmarks or Civil War battlefields to working villages that give us a glimpse into our region’s past like Westville (in southwest Ga.), the Agrirama in Tifton or Colonial Williamsburg, Va. Or even a museum honoring the man whose invention forever changed the South and its culture — Dr. John Gorrie, creator of the first air conditioner.
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Comments
By Theresa
June 11, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
Hey keith — My husband has always wanted to take our kids to see the State Fair in Tifton — He used to go as a child and thinks it’s important for them to experience that old-fashion charm of a state fair — We go to the Gwinnett County Fair and it does have some of the livestock and plant competitions but I think the Tifton one would have that on a much larger scale —
Also am interested to see the Little White House in Warm Springs — I have lived here most of my life and never visited there —
By zeke
June 11, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
A great vacation would be the many civil war preservation sites throughout the South, and, the many revolutionary war sites, especially in South Carolina, where the war was won!
By Leyla
June 11, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Hey! My family has always wanted to go to the Dalonaga Gold Mines in Dalonaga. But we never got around to it.
By Jane
June 11, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
You should check out the ruins of a mill that Sherman and his troops burned down - it’s at Sweetwater Creek State Park, which is about 5-10 minutes west of Six Flags in Lithia Springs, Georgia. There’s a minor hike down to the ruins, but we used to go there on school trips and it always made the Civil War come alive a bit. The park is a nice place to spend the day, too… picnic areas, a lake with small craft rentals, lots of ducks to feed, a few great playgrounds, and more hiking trails if that’s what you like. Really close to Atlanta, too.
By Ryan
June 11, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
It’s not exactly a day trip, but northern Virginia is about the best place you can go for all Southern history has to offer. Go to Charlottesville to see Thomas Jefferson’s university and his one-of-a-kind house, Monticello to remember that it was a Southerner who wrote our country’s founding statement. Then drive up country roads through rolling hills to Civil War battlefields like Chancellorsville (where Stonewall Jackson fell), Fredericksburg (where Lee made one of his first brilliant tactical moves of the war), Spotsylvania Courthouse (the beginning of the end for the South), and Wilderness (a harrowing reminder of the horrors of war). Go to Mount Vernon to recall that our country’s first and greatest President was a proud Virginian. Then end up in Jamestown, where it ALL started.
By me
June 11, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Go to historic Jonesboro, its right in “downtown” Jonesboro, the confederate cemetary is there which is actually a mass burial of fallen soldiers, and its in the shape of the confederate flag. All of downtown has historic buildings and plantations, especially Stately Oaks plantation which has tours. The Gone With The Wind Museum is in the old train depot right in the middle of town, and its all close and pretty walker-friendly for metro Atlanta. historicjonesboro.com might get you started.
By Barbara
June 11, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
A trip from Atlanta to Northern VA would be a good one. I enjoyed my tour of Oakland Cemetery. Lots of history regarding Atlanta. It peaked my curiosity about Atlanta, especially as it was developed after the Civil War. Go up 85 and take a stop in Durham to see the Duke homestead, home of the Duke family. There is a tobacco museum there. While you’re there, go on over to Duke Chapel, on Duke’s campus. Even though the family is buried in Maplewood Cemetary, Washington, Ben, and Buck were moved to their crypt in the Chapel. Beautiful place (even though I went to UNC). Go on over to the Bennett Place. This is where General Johnston surrendered Florida, Georgia, and both Carolinas to Sherman. It was the largest surrender of the war, just two weeks after Lee surrendered. If you make that stop, go on over to the oldest state university, UNC. You’ll see some of the oldest buildings on a state campus and can appreciate the beauty of it. Remember, writer Thomas Wolfe, actor Andy Griffith, and journalist Charles Karrault attended UNC. Moving on up to VA, there are numerous Civil War battlefields. If you want to see the plantation that was the largest tobacco plantation, stop at Berry Hill Plantation in South Boston, VA. It’s a resort now, but maintains several of the houses on the property, along with ruins of slave quarters. You’ll see a lot of undeveloped land on the Virginia countryside, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
By Rusty
June 11, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Warm Springs is very cool.If you’re going to Jonesboro for the old south experience, you’d probably better go quick.
By Brander
June 11, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Virginia is the cradle of American history and - more importantly (wink) - Southern history. From Colonial Williamsburg to famous Civil War battlefields and museums to presidential homes, it is all here. My recommendation is for a trip to Virginia based on history but that also includes great small town shopping, a trip to a winery (Virginia has more than 130 of them) and a memorable meal at a great restaurant. One site in particular that should not be missed (and that you’ve probably never heard of) is Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. Privately owned $40 million venue that includes a Civil War battlefield, plantation, three historic homes, slavery history and the best Civil War museum you’ll ever visit. www.pamplinpark.org
By TallyBrave
June 11, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Last summer, my husband I and drove from Tallahassee up through Birmingham and over to Tupelo, Mississippi to check out Elvis’ birthplace. From there, we stopped in Oxford, which was an amazing town. We had lunch in the courthouse square, shopped, then headed over to see William Faulkner’s home.
Next, we drove up to Memphis, where a stay at the Peabody is a must. We LOVED Graceland, of course, but were pleasantly surprised at all of the other cultural things to do—Sun Studios, Beale Street, and the Civil Rights Museums are all amazing experiences. And we found both the people and bbq in Memphis worth a second trip!
By Sandy_G
June 11, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
If you want to see what Gwinnett County was like a 100 years ago, take a visit to McDaniel Farm Park in Duluth, GA. It’s a real working farm, preserved just as it was in the early 1900’s. Take the kids on Saturdays to see demonstrations of farm life or go any day of the week to take a look at the house, barn, outbuildings, fields and beautiful walking trails through the untouched woods and fields surrounding the home. It’s like a trip to the country but it’s within 20 miles of downtown Atlanta and a quick jump off of I-85.
By debg45
June 11, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Georgia has amazing historic sites! You can see a list of them at www.gastateparks.org. Purchasing a Family level (or higher) Friends of GA State Parks and Historic Sites membership will not only help the parks and historic sites in this age of budget cuts, it will also get you free parking and admission to all of the historic sites for up to 6 people, along with many other benefits. I don’t mean this to sound like a commercial, but it’s a great opportunity to explore our wonderful state on a budget and help our parks and historic sites at the same time.
By Joe
June 11, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Last year, my wife and I visited Charleston, SC. That is a great history experience. We went on a carriage ride to learn about the history, and then went on a harbor tour which included seeing Fort Sumter. Great walking city and wonderful food at Hyman’s seafood. We also love Savannah for many of the same reasons as Charleston. It has great food and history. When you think about these two cities, there is history from the American revolution, the civil war and WWII. Great vacation spots.
By J. Ann
June 11, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Savannah! Great food. Historic architecture surrounds the classic “squares”. Informative tours. Lots of eye candy for art lovers as it’s home to the Savannah College of Art & Design. It the biggest export port in the US. And it’s close to the beautiful beaches of Hilton Head.
By TB
June 11, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
The state fair is the “Georgia National Fair” and it is in Perry in October and not Tifton. However, travel to Tifton and visit Agrirama Village (Georgia’s Museum of Agriculture.
By Theresa
June 11, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Hey TB — good to know we’d be in big trouble showing up in Tifton for the fair — We had a friend in college who went on a roadtrip to see Graceland and went to nashville — umm it’s in Memphis — They traveled the whole city lookign for it and finally asked — wrong town!
By Hannah
June 11, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Actually, there is a State Fair and a National Fair. State Fair is in Macon and the National in Perry. I would recommend the National Fair because it has a large amount of animal shows, huge midway including a freak show(yes, they are coming back), craft displays,and a free circus. Great fair food too. If you are looking for Southern Culture and Civil war, why not go where Georgia seceded from the Union? Milledgeville has a lot to offer being the pre-civil war capital of the state. The old capital building, the Governor’s mansion, and Flannery O’Conner’s home is there as well. Also have a nice, full of water lake and river walk.
By Jane
June 11, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Savannah. It’s a beautiful city with squares as designed by Georgia founder, Oglethorpe. There’s a civil rights museum and a number of historic homes. If your daugher is a Girl Scout, the Juliette Low Birthplace is a “must see.”
By Jane
June 11, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Savannah. It’s a beautiful city with squares as designed by Georgia founder, Oglethorpe. There’s a civil rights museum, along with a number of historic homes. If your daughter is a Girl Scout, the Juliette Low Birthplace is a “must see.”
By janie Hopwood
June 11, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
If you want togo back in time and see many different era’s, go to Jekyll Island or Cumberland Island. On Cumberland you can take a tour where they will tell you about the original inhabitants up to Katie and Lucy. Light Horse Harry Lee died there, and the cotton gin was invented there. On Jekyll you see the historic district were Oglethorpe’s friend duped the Spaniards to the plantation era, to the millionaire era to the state prison era. History all over the place.
By Firebrand
June 11, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Each southern state has its own unique set of offerings history-wise. Georgia is rich in history, from the mountains to the coast to the farmlands of the SW corner of the state…and of course, places like Andersonville, Chickamauga, MLK Center, Dalton, etc., are great visits. There are many smaller spots, such as the Confederate cemetery in Resaca that are simply amazing. But per mile, South Carolina and Virginia are literally covered in places that are normal parts of our history books. For best bang for the buck, those two states are can’t miss.
By c.
June 11, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Try Jarrell Plantation up near Juliette in Middle Ga - - a self sustaining original farm site that is totally authentic - if you wanted to see how our ancestors live in the mid 1800s to early 1900s out in the countryside & did everything for themselves….this is it.
By Joseph E. Johnston
June 12, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
I’m glad someone knows the real surrender of the South wasn’t at Appomattox, but at Durham Station, NC. The place you might want to see and enjoy a picnic and a bike ride is the immortal Chickamauga battlefield where the yankee army was expelled from Georgia on its first trip here. Abe Lincoln’s Confederate bro-in-law was killed there. A beautiful place. A lot of other good stuff is near there like Cloudland Canyon, Lookout Mountain GA and Tennessee, Rock City, Ruby Falls, and Chattanooga itself. Great stuff.
By mad mike
June 12, 2008 2:33 AM | Link to this
If you want to teach your kids about what makes the South special, you should take them to Boston or New York for a week. Its tough to understand what truly makes the South special until you’ve been to other big cities in the north and witnessed what a bunch of a-holes they all are. I lived in Boston for a few years and missed Atlanta every day. A manager of mine in Boston once said that he’d traveled the globe and was convinced that genuine niceness in people only existed in the southeastern US. I agreed.
By mr. mike
June 12, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Great entry at 8:38, Zeke! Four really significant American Revolution battles(Saratoga, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse & Yorktown); with the last 3 being in the South. Besides Cowpens in South Carolina; King’s Mountain is a great, well-preserved site, also. I think you really “feel” the battlefield ghosts at Yorktown.
By JKPC
June 12, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
For a taste of northwest Georgia, in the Land of Ridge and Valley where the mountains are like “fingers” reaching down from Tennessee, we love to ride our motorcycle and enjoy the beautiful scenery, watch the hang gliders sail from the top of Lookout Mountain, and explore the local museums (you can get a real flavor of the community at these places - local people will tell you alot, and it can be quite interesting!) Some places to note are Lee and Gordon’s Mill in Chickamauga, Western and Atlantic railroad tunnel in Tunnel Hill, Oak Hill in Rome. For those craving adventure, do the canopy tour at Historic Banning Mills. I did it and it was great!
By Traveling Shoes
July 7, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
A taste of culture is in any small historical community where the people are as rich in hospitality as the history. Northwest Georgia has awesome driving trails in which to trace history. The Civil War trial and the Native American trail plus a plethora of antique stores, small towns and interesting things to see and learn about each stop. Get off the free ways and travel back in time to some of theses great cities. Rome, Echota, Chickamauga, Cartersville all unique with many offrings. Quaint, wonderful stops of Americana.
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