Because of budget cuts, the state is looking to make some changes at some of the state owned historic sites. These changes will happen almost immediately with July 1 as the date they will become effective.
The sites that are on the chopping block include the Dahlonega Gold Museum, Chief Vann House, Etowah Indian Mounds, Fort Morris, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, Jarrell Plantation, New Echota, Pickett’s Mill Battlefield, Robert Toombs House, Traveler’s Rest, Lapham-Patterson House, and the Jefferson Davis Capture Site.
Of these, probably the one closest to us is the Jefferson Davis Site. If you do not know the history of the site, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured there as he fled the Confederate White House and Union Troops after the fall of the Confederacy.
The site was originally owned by Irwin Country. A review of the minutes of the County commissioners’ meeting suggests that if the state stops using the site, it is to revert back to Irwin County. Of course, one can never be sure of the outcome when the federal or state government is involved.
Also of interest are all of the artifacts in the museum. The United Daughters of the Confederacy donated a very rare Confederate flag to Irwin County that has been on display there. There is also an original Columbus Depot Confederate shell jacket on display. Needless to say, the state is eyeing those artifacts. If they are left by the state, will the country be able to protect them in the museum on the site?
Three possible options will happen with the Jefferson Davis site. The county will try to run it themselves, the county will ask for the state’s assistance and partner with them to share the duties of operating the site, or the site will be sold.
I hate to see Georgia lose some of her treasures. It is these jewels that make Georgia the best state in the union, but keeping a balanced budget is always the best policy. We should not burden the future when we preserve the past. Perhaps a group like the UDC, SCV, or Civil War Commission can explore ways to own or preserve the site for future generations.
If you love history like I do, then you may want to attend a very important meeting on the Jefferson Davis site. The meeting will be held at the Irwin County Courthouse on Thursday, June 11 at 7:30pm.
Perhaps the best course of action would be for a non-profit organization to take over for the site. Something like the Jefferson Davis site would be of import throughout the Deep South, and with Civil War history buffs throughout the nation; enough so that plenty of money should be available through donations to keep the site up and running with no cost to taxpayers.
Like you, I would hate to see these jewels of our history go to waste. While there are warts in our history, it is still our history and it should be celebrated. Hopefully something can be worked out that will protect these artifacts and will allow governmental budgets to be balanced with minimal impact on taxpayers.