Our headquarters is open Monday-Friday, 10:00-4:00.
You may drop off rummage for our two annual sales during business hours. If you need other help, please email us at whitfieldmurrayhs@gmail.com &/or call 706-278-0217.
The Newsletters will continue to be mailed through the Post Office by mail, rather than by email. Please look for the May and upcoming newsletters in your mailboxes!
Vann House Days are Here Again
Saturday, July 27 at 10 a.m.
The 2024 edition of Vann House Days will get underway at 10 a.m. on Saturday July 27 at the Chief Vann House Historic Site in Spring Place. The program, first held in 1978, commemorates the locally initiated effort which resulted in the purchase, preservation, restoration, and re-opening of the nationally known Cherokee mansion as a museum in 1958.
Vann House Day continues to focus on tours and living history demonstrations to describe life in the early 1800’s when the Vanns and other families occupied the house. As usual, there will be carding, spinning, weaving, doll-making, leather britches, chair-caning and quilting done by local members of the Friends of the Vann House support group which co-sponsors the program.
On the grounds and at the Cherokee Homestead exhibit visitors will see churning butter, drying fruits and vegetables, corn shelling and grinding, Cherokee blow gun demonstrations, the “Three-Sisters” and herb garden and even Cherokee stick-ball. The blacksmith forge will be fired up as well.
The Vann House is located at the corner of GA 225 and Alternate 52, three miles west of Chatsworth. Program hours are 10-4. Admission charged. For more information call the site at 706-695-2598.
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Thomas the Tank Engine Will Visit the Chatsworth Depot.
Chatsworth Hotel Turns 115
August 10, 2024
1 pm to 4 pm.
The Chatsworth Depot and the Wright Hotel, owned by the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society, announce the conclusion of their summer Second Saturday events with guided tours from 1:00pm until4:00pm on Saturday, August 10. This last regular summer opening celebrates Thomas the Tank Engine at the Chatsworth Depot. The Hotel is celebrating its 115th anniversary with special displays and souvenirs. Admission to tours and trains will be free, but donations are appreciated. The Chatsworth Depot, constructed in 1905 by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, is the oldest public building in town. The passenger waiting room contains a museum showcasing the talc industry in Murray County. The station agent’s office and the freight room contain historic railroad artifacts and exhibits related to the depot. The 1960 caboose, located behind the Depot, will be open for all to visit. Historical society members will be on hand to give tours and answer questions.
A special guest HO Scale and G Scale Thomas and his friends will be running on the depot’s permanent indoor model train displays. The always popular ‘Big Blue Train’ will make its second 2024 appearance, offering train rides around the block to those in attendance. There will be a special area inside the depot with wooden Brio Trains for the smallest train fans to get ‘hands on’ playtime with Tho mas and friends. Youngsters from 1 to 100 love model trains, especially Thomas and his friends from the island of Sodor.
Making a return visit will also be kid powered train rides! This train car that the kids crank with their own hands (somewhat like riding a bicycle, but with your hands) and power it down the tracks. The train car runs on a 7 1/8-gauge track and carries the youngsters at their own pace. Each person gets to ride and power his/her own car. This will be an activity your family will not want to miss!
In addition to the trains, Will and Ralph Callahan, hikers from Chatsworth, will be sharing some of their experiences, showing some equipment used in hiking, and answering questions our guests might have. Will stated, “My brother and I did the Appalachian Trail the first time in 2019, and then we hiked it again in 2022. I hiked the Continental Divide Trail in 2021 and Pacific Crest Trail in 2023 totaling over 10,000 miles.” Be sure to come visit the depot to hear the remarkable story of these two brothers!
Around the corner from the Depot located on First Avenue is the historic Wright Hotel at the intersection of Market Street and Second Avenue. Built with locally produced materials, the Hotel opened in 1909 and the 115th anniversary of that historic occasion is the focus of events there over the next year. The business operated into the 1960’s, sometimes under the name “Chatsworth Hotel” and today is a double listing on the National Register of Historic Places—first as an individual site and again as a part of the downtown Chatsworth historic district.
A property of the historical society for almost four decades now, the site will feature some new photographic displays as well as offering souvenir T-shirts, buttons, magnets, and coasters to commemorate the Hotel’s first 115 years! Proceeds from these items as well as donations will go toward the continued preservation of the amazing three-story building.
The Historical Society would like to thank the 2024 business partners who make the programs possible. Many have been supporting Second Saturdays for many years. Partners are Peeples Funeral Home, Bradley’s Ace Hardware, Bojangles, Captain D’s & Krystal restaurants, Chatsworth First Community Bank, and the Murray County Elected Officials. Be sure to tell them you appreciate their supporting the historic properties of Chatsworth anytime you visit or contact one of these.
Spring Place Festival
329 Hwy 225 South
Chatsworth, GA 30705
June 18, 2024
TO: Spring Place Ruritan Club Members, Past Festival Participants,
Whitfield-Murray Historical Society Members,
Friends of Spring Place and the Old Methodist Church
The Ruritan Club and the Historical Society are sponsoring the 27th annual Spring Place Community Festival on Saturday, August 17th beginning at 8 a.m. at the Old Spring Place Methodist Church. Our theme this year is “Game Time in Spring Place” and will highlight games and recreational activities from the community’s past and present. Events planned for the festival are the 10:00 auction; a bake sale; the flea market; breakfast concessions; used book sale; vendors; a display of vintage sports and games; and other displays as well. We’ll also be selling Spring Place T-shirts commemorating the Festival.
Last year’s festival was a record-breaker and we were able to expand parking near the church and also restore the barn on our property across the street for continued use. This year we need to raise funds for regular operating expense as well as to do some painting and repairs to the front of the building as well as inside.
Knowing of your interest in Spring Place and/or the sale areas, we ask for your assistance. We need any donations, items and gift cards for the auction, things for the flea market, and cakes for the bake sale as well as help on the day of the festival. Most of all, we hope you will spread the word so that we can again have a great crowd for the event. Thanks for your help and we look forward to hearing from you—and to seeing you on August 17th!
Sincerely,
Festival Committee
Tim Howard (706-280-5535). Elizabeth Robinson, Chuck & Jyana Smith (706-695-8297), Jim Wilbanks, Carol Parrott, Ann Baynes, Ethan Smith, Brent & Brenda Jackson
Someone will be at the church every Wednesday (10-1) if you have things to drop off. Thanks so much! Be sure to like the Old Spring Place Methodist Church Facebook page for updates on the flea market and auction items.
Annual Spring Place Community Festival
August 17
activities will begin at 8 a.m.
“Game Time in Spring Place” is the theme for the 27th annual Spring Place Community Festival, set for Saturday, August 17 at the Old Spring Place Methodist Church. A used book sale, breakfast biscuits, a bake sale, an indoor flea market, a games raffle and other activities will begin at 8 a.m. Highlighting the day is the auction including artist prints, collectibles and historical memorabilia, furniture, rugs, antiques, and gift cards donated by area businesses.
The outdoor auction begins at 10:00. The Festival is co-sponsored by the Spring Place Ruritan Club. Artifacts from Cherokee stickball and card games, to board games and X-box will be featured in a special display. Proceeds from the festival will go to the church preservation fund of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society.
For more information contact 706-280-5535 or 706-264-3968.
Dorothy "Dot" McCrory's second book,
"View from the Gaming Table,”
is now available. Copies are $35.
A copy can be mailed for $45.
Book sales benefit the Lesche Club scholarship fund.
The Emery Center, Inc.
110 West Emery Street
Dalton, GA 30720
Tours are available on Wednesday's
Tour Times are:
10:15 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
Please call the Emery Center to schedule a tour at 706-277-7633
or 706-280-7695.
The Emery Center is located at the corner of Emery St. and S. Pentz St.
MY LIFE AND TRAVELS
written by former slave
LEVI BRANHAM
has been reprinted.
I WAS born in 1852 in Murray county, Georgia, and lived there until 1863. Then I refugeed from here (Murray county) to South Georgia, Terrell county of which Dawson was the county seat.
My first owner that I am able to recollect was Dr. Black, who later sold me to Mr. Jim Edmondson. Dr. Black not only sold me but he sold all of his negroes to Mr. Edmondson, declaring that he (Mr. Edmondson) would not separate the Negroes.
A white boy, Sam Carter, brother of Sooth Carter, was my first white playmate that I am able to remember. We would tie pine tops together to make a seine to catch fish.
So begins the story of an incredible man who made a huge difference in the Northwest corner of Georgia. He was a slave at the Chief Vann House in Murray County. Because he was taught to read and write by his Mistress while a slave, he recognized the advantage of an education. He taught schools following the Civil War. He traveled around the area, helping found educational opportunities for freed slaves and their families/ He was also a Sunday school teacher. Mr. Branham, known locally as "Uncle Boisey" published My Life and Travels in 1929, when he was seventy-seven years old.
The book has just been reprinted and will be available for $8 at the Crown Gardens & Archives, 715 Chattanooga Ave, Dalton, GA 30720. (706) 278-0217
We have an assortment of years of high school yearbooks from Dalton High and Southeast High Schools. The yearbooks are used and are sold as is.
The books are $20 each.
Stop by the Crown Gardens and Archives at 715 Chattanooga Avenue, Dalton 30720 to purchase your book.
The hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society recently received a $500 Keep Dalton/Whitfield Beautiful Grant for the 1840 Hamilton House. Our focus was to add fresh paint to the doors and windows. Along the way, we also painted porch furniture and added new plantings. Thanks,KD/WB, for encouraging us to spiff up!
The window paint was chipping, and we needed a facelift! In addition to the fresh paint, we decided to change the paint color from brick red to black for the doors and porch.
The new paint pops, and the side porch bench and floor are more welcoming.
Notice:
All Whitfield-Murray Historical Society properties are owned by the historical society, so are therefore private property.
If you would like to use the grounds for photographs, etc., please obtain permission by calling 706-278-0217, Monday through Friday.
Please note that if an event is occurring on the property, no one else is allowed to be on the property.
Professional photographers must schedule events for all outside & inside areas at all WMHS properties. The fee for the rental is $100 per session per property.
Rent a Whitfield Murray Historical Society Property for your next event.
As you plan upcoming family or organization events, consider using WMHS property. Contacts for information &/or reservations are:
Old Spring Place Methodist Church
Call Tim at 706-695-2740
Crown Garden and Archives
Call Tina at 706-278-0217
Hamilton House
Call Tina at 706-278-0217
Blunt House
Call Joanne at 706-271-8702
Huff House
Call Virgelia at 706-226-6774
Chatsworth Depot
Call Ted at 706-581-5482
Wright Hotel
Call Ralph at 706-695-9808 or 706-260-1320
Historical Dalton City Directories are online
Researchers may now access Dalton city directories from 1940-1963 online, thanks to Georgia Public Library Service. They joined previously digitized Georgia city directories from Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Columbus, Gainsville, and Macon. To locate a city directory, go to the following link.
All Murray County deeds--back to 1833--are now accessible online. This includes the earliest deeds for Whitfield County, too, since we were one county through 1851. Use this link to access the deeds: