The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society celebrated Historic Preservation month by recognizing individuals & groups who have contributed to preservation in the two counties. Preservation awards, scholarships, Eagle Scout recognitions, & President’s Awards were presented at a recent meeting at the Murray Co. courthouse.
Historic Preservation awards were presented to the City of Dalton Public Works Department, Elizabeth Robinson, & Ted Yarbrough. Ralph Stafford recognized the City of Dalton Public Works Dept. for their work in water studies, signage, mowing, spreading millings, & trash pickup. Tim Howard praised Elizabeth Robinson’s work at the Old Spring Place Methodist Church. David Loughridge shared the late Frank Adams’s praise for Ted Yarbrough’s creative ideas at the Chatsworth Depot.
Scholarship chair Dewey Hughes presented scholarships to high school seniors who have contributed to area historic preservation efforts. Diya Patel of Coahulla Creek High received the Dr. Don Thomas & Judy Alderman Scholarship. Samuel Carlson of Dalton High was awarded the Pete Sims & Mary Gene Dykes Scholarship. Three North Murray High students--Kaylor Mullis, Jenna Palmer, & Caroline Ridley—received the Paul Ross Memorial Scholarship. Megan Cherry, Simon England, Adella Lonas, & Lana Ridley—all of Murray Co. High—claimed the James & Nell Ruth Loughridge Scholarship. A special thanks was given to the Mashburn Trust for support of the scholarship fund.
Marvin Sowder & Tina Pankey recognized contributions of Eagle Scouts. Sowder praised Andrew Rogers’s work at the Huff House. Pankey described Samuel Carlson’s work on a West Hill Cemetery project.
Sandra Clark & Betsy McArthur were recipients of the WMHS President’s Awards for exceptional service to the Society. Clark is current treasurer who has met a number of challenges with hard work & grace. McArthur has catalogued the Tut McFarland Library at the archives & is in the process of updating the Journal.
Following the awards, Tim Howard gave a brief history of the Murray Co. courthouse. He & Chuck Smith conducted guided tours of their work in organizing county records.
Historic Preservation awards were presented to the City of Dalton Public Works Department, Elizabeth Robinson, & Ted Yarbrough
Sandra Clark & Betsy McArthur were recipients of the WMHS President’s Awards
Jenna Palmer, Diya Patel, Megan Cherry, Adella Lonas, Simon England, Lana Ridley, and Kaylor Mullis
Andrew Rogers, Eagle Scout recipient
Music returns to the Chatsworth Depot for 2019 as ‘Gospel Jubilee’
The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society announces that music concerts will return to the Chatsworth Depot for 2019. This year’s theme will be ‘Saturday Singing at the Depot’ and will feature local entertainers and groups. The first event will be May 11 and concerts will continue on the second Saturday of each month through August. All concerts are inside the depot, provided free by event sponsors, and will start at 5 pm.
Saturday, May 11, will feature Charlsey Etheridge, a local singer whose popularity has spread beyond our area. Charlsey will dedicate songs to mothers during this special Mother’s Day Weekend concert. The May 11 concert is provided free by Murray County Elected Officials: Greg Hogan-Commissioner, Connie Reed-Magistrate Judge, John Waters-Probate Judge, Billy Childers-Tax Commissioner, Gary Langford-Sheriff, and Donna Flood-Clerk of Superior Court.
The weekend will also see the return of The Wright Hotel hosting ‘Tea with Mom’. This unique event sold out previous years and is sure to be a sell out again in 2019. There are two seating times, 1pm and 3 pm. The ‘Tea with Mom’ is a separate advance ticket only event. Tickets are available at Pat’s Antiques in Chatsworth and from Donna Flood at the Murray County Courthouse. Cost is $20 for two with additional family members $5 each at the same seating.
Other ‘Saturday Singing at the Depot’ concerts will feature a not yet confirmed group sponsored by Bradley’s Ace Hardware on June 8 and the Winkler Sisters return on July 13 sponsored by local businesses Peeples Funeral Home, First National Bank, and Paula’s Florist. The final concert on August 10 will feature young singer Lilly Bearden opening for Ray Catoe, sponsored by Bojangles, Krystal, and Captain D’s restaurants.
The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society is excited about the ‘Saturday Singing at the Depot’ concerts and the community support shown to the entire Second Avenue area of Chatsworth. The 1909 Wright Hotel, the 1905 just repainted Chatsworth Depot with the recently restored 1960 Seaboard Coast Line railroad caboose, early 1900’s Section Foreman’s House, and Chatsworth’s City Park are all located in Chatsworth’s historic district. The public is invited to visit this area on May 11 and enjoy the first, free ‘Saturday Singing at the Depot’ concerts for 2019!
BLUNT COVERLETS GAIN ATTENTION
by Joanne Lewis, Blunt House chair
"Southern, plain, and collectible” were the words textile historian Kathleen Grant used to describe dimity coverlets that belonged to the Ainsworth Emery Blunt family. Mrs. Grant recently traveled from Tampa, FL to inspect two dimity cotton coverlets at the Blunt House. Grant sais they were exactly what she was looking for, & that many of this type of bed coverlet has been discarded because they are so white and plain. The coverlets have not been shown at the Blunt House until now. However, they are very interesting when one learns how they were made & studies their details.
Dimity coverlets were made by Southern women at home for family use. Today they are rare & collectible. Mrs. Grant studied, photographed, & documented our two as she travels around the South recording every dimity coverlet she can find. From Dalton she was going to Athens to document more. Hopefully, the Blunt coverlets will be shown in her future book.
Another exciting discovery was the history & method of weaving another Blunt coverlet which Mrs. Grant identified as a Boutenne or Bolton coverlet. These coverlets were made no later than 1850 in New England & Pennsylvania. Mr. Blunt & his first wife were from New England--probably where ours originated.
Visit the Blunt House, 507 S. Thornton Avenue, any Friday from 10:30 to 4:00, to view & to learn more about these textile treasures. And we thought we were only famous for chenille!
Tea with Mom Returning to Historic Wright Hotel
It’s a tradition! Or the third consecutive year, the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society will host “Tea with Mom” at the Wright Hotel in Chatsworth as a unique way to celebrate those special ladies during Mother’s Day Weekend.
“Tea with Mom” features a tasty assortment of refreshments in a beautiful, historic setting on Saturday, May 11. A first seating, at 1 pm, is designed more for mothers and younger daughters with a second seating at 3 p.m. The afternoon will include music and photo opportunities in the Wright Hotel which was built in 1909. North Murray High School cosmetology students will be on hand to assist with hats and make-up as well as serving the tables.
Tickets for the tea are $20 for mom and a guest with any additional guests $5 each. Tickets can be purchased from Donna Flood at the Murray County Courthouse and at Pat’s Antiques in downtown Chatsworth. Seating is limited so make reservations early. The deadline is Thursday, May 9. For more information contact Donna Flood at 706-695-2932 or Ralph Ausmus at 706-695-9808.
Copies of Dorothy "Dot" McCrory's poetry book, "Too Much Cider in the Applesauce," are available at the Crown Gardens & Archives, 715 Chattanooga Ave., Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Copies are $25. A copy can be mailed for $30. Book sales benefit the Lesche Club scholarship fund.
Copies of the Historic Photographs of The Whitfield County Schools Available For Purchase!
The Historic Photographs of The Whitfield County Schools by Ellen Keith Thompson is available for purchase. If you're interested in purchasing the book, please maila check payable to WMHS to P.O. Box 6180Dalton, GA. 30722 in the amount of $50 (includes shipping and handling). Or, you can purchase the book at the Crown Gardens & Archives for $45 located on 715 Chattanooga Avenue, Dalton, GA. 30722. All the proceeds from the books sales will the basis of the endowmenet fund for the 40th Anniversary.
Hours at Crown Garden and Archives!
To better serve our community we will now be open M-F 10am - 4pm. We will also be open by appointment on weekends and evenings for research and events! To make an appoinment please call during our business hours!
Hours at Blunt House, Hamilton House, and Huff House!
The Blunt House and Huff House are open for tours on Fridays from 10 until 4. Hamilton House is open by appointment by calling the Archives at (706) 278-0217.
