The Founding of the Colony of Georgia 285 years ago, on February 12, 1733, will be celebrated in many different ways.
The Georgia Historical Society in Savannah takes the lead every year in Georgia Day celebrations with their Georgia History Festival, including a February 9 parade with school children. At georgiahistory.com, teachers and others can find educational material about Georgia’s birth — go to the “Learn” heading, which leads to “Explore Georgia History” and “For Educators.” Also, on Feb. 9 and 10, the Georgia Archives will display the Royal Charter and Georgia’s recorded copy of the Declaration of Independence.
This is always a good time to reflect on some of the principles upon which the colony was founded: philanthropy, to help out the worthy poor of London; and religious freedom to a point, as the new colony allowed in Protestants and Jews, but prohibited Catholics. The charter also prohibited slavery during the Trusteeship, the first 20 years until 1752. Anyone leaving London and its environs had to be interviewed and vetted by the Trustees, the corporation that founded the colony under the royal charter, before they could board the Anne for the journey to the New World.
Georgia’s founding and colonial period is rich with historical records and resources, found at the Georgia Archives, the University of Georgia’s Hargrett Library, and the Georgia Historical Society, as well as in many published sources.
Protestants in Georgia in 1736 topic of Lunch and Learn
Richard “Bo” Adams, professor at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, will be the February 9 Lunch and Learn speaker at the Georgia Archives. His topic will be: “Two Ships that Sailed to Georgia in 1736: Conversations between the Wesleys, the Moravians, and the Salzburgers.” It focuses on how they influenced each other during the trip. The noon event is free. Bring your own lunch. Go to GeorgiaArchives.org or call 678-364-3710. See visitebenezer.com for more on the Georgia Salzburger Society and the Ebenezer historic site.
Georgia Archives Centennial Tours
The Georgia Archives will begin the celebration of “Georgia Archives, 100 years, Where We Are Now” by hosting a free tour of the facility on the second Saturday of each month, beginning February 10 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
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