Stephens County Historical Society
News & Updates
Currahee Military Museum
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Currahee Military Museum Awarded "2021 Best of Georgia" |
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2021 “Best of Georgia”
Currahee Military Museum
Museum Category
Each year the Georgia Business Journal magazine offers every Georgia business, in several categories, the opportunity to be recognized. The business is promoted by their own customers or visitors to their establishment who want to help the business increase their visitors or products.
In our case our product is local and WWII military history. Our staff and Board of Directors would like to thank everyone that voted the museum to be the Best of Georgia Museum Category. The Museum has won several award and accolades since opening in 2006, but this time we totally were selected by the general population and in our case world wide visitors voted.
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2022 New Board of Directors - New Beginnings
Stephens County Historical Society is Honored to introduce to you to our 2022-2023 Board of Directors. We have three new board members this year and each member brings to the organization a wide variety of talents and ideas. We hope each of you will join and support the Board Members, members, collections, and events during the year.
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President
Dale Moseley, in college, majored in history and Business Education, School Counseling and Administration in college and taught it as well as other subjects in the school system for 31 years. Now, retired, she is back to learning history and sharing it with our members and visitors in the museum. Dale began volunteering before the new museum even opened 2006. Her talent was recruiting several new volunteers to help with daily operations. She still continues to bring in volunteers and helps out where ever she is needed. Dale served as the Chairperson with the Stephens County Courthouse Restoration Committee. Dale has faithfully served on the Board for several years and we are looking forward to working with her as President.
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Treasurer - Bob Magee states “Years ago my wife announced that she had volunteered through the Pilot Club to work a few hours each month at the lobby counter of the Stephens County and Currahee Military Museums.” I listened to her stories of meeting people from all over the United States and several foreign countries who visited the museums. Those stories caught my attention and I thought I could do that. Since I was teaching at the high school I volunteered to work a few hours one weekend a month.
It was not long before I was hooked by meeting a gentleman from Australia who had citrus orchards in Queensland, a couple from Belgium whose parents told them stories of what the American paratroopers did for them, a group of Vietnam veterans who donated a regimental flag they had carried in battle and on and on. One Sunday afternoon three young adults, two guys and a girl, approached the desk. I could tell by their haircuts and demeanor they were military but their accents said they were not US military. They were members of the Danish Army on assignment at Ft. Bragg for training. Their grandparents had told them stories of the American soldiers and what they had done during WWII so they devoted their weekend off to coming to Toccoa to see where those soldiers had trained.
Bob was born and grew up in Macon, Ga, where he was in the Lanier High School ROTC and captain of the marching band. After high school he served in the Navy Reserves. Concurrent with his service in the Navy Reserves he earned a BS degree in Chemistry from Mercer University and a MS in Physical Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Right before graduating from Mercer he married his long time sweetheart, Ann Kent, and she worked in the quality control lab at Coca Cola while he attended graduate school at Ga Tech. Upon graduation from Tech they moved to Austin, TX where he first worked for a defense contractor, Tracor, then an environmental engineering company, Radian International. Bob was with Radian for a total of 25 years during which he worked in the laboratories, climbed smoke stacks. Managed projects and eventually became a Vice President. After 19 years in Austin during which Bob and Ann added a daughter, Alicia, and a son, Kent to the family, they moved to the Atlanta area where Bob served as the regional Vice President for the company offices and project in the SE. The children grew up and the company changed so Bob left Radian and attended Georgia State University where he earned a MEd degree in Science Education to begin his new career as a high school science teacher at Stephens County High School where he taught chemistry and physics for 13 years. Now retired, Bob serves as Deacon, choir member and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Toccoa, Treasurer.
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1st Vice President and Past President - Ray Ward has been a member and active volunteer about 40 years. He is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the history of Stephens County and Toccoa. Ray is a valuable tour guide and has presented numerous programs on Native Americans in our area and the history of Camp Toccoa at Currahee. He served on the “Save the Stable” Committee, Jaycees, Farm Bureau, and Stephens County Foundation for decades. He has devoted countless days to the museum and the Stephens County Community.
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2nd Vice President and Past President - Dan Merck began volunteering in the early 1980’s. He was one of the first to volunteer when the HS needed help to restore the house that was the first museum location on Pond Street. Dan’s wife, Sara 1929 - 2019, was a Charter Member and both volunteered and served on the Board of Directors for several years. Dan has graciously served on the Veteran’s Coffee since the first one February Dan continues to devote numerous hours wherever and whenever needed.
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Recording Secretary and Past President - Lyn Hack and my husband Rick are both retired and spending time serving the community, enjoying Georgia, grandkids, and very few deadlines. Lyn states, “Born in the South, (Southern California, that is), my genealogy reaches back to Sweden, Germany and Ireland. I have lived in and visited several countries, exploring their history and culture. Both Rick and I served in the United States Military, but I never travelled overseas as military personnel. I learned community service from my parents who not only served our community youth, but made sure my schedule as a high school and college student allowed time to serve also. History became my favorite subject and was my focus as I entered college as a history major with an intention to teach. I stand amazed at how God uses the talents He has given me over the years to check off things that aren't even on my bucket list: volunteer work at different museums, veteran support though different organizations, and serving God in ministry. History, Community and God go together here in Historical Stephens County...it's good to be here.” Lyn has several talents to contribute, and is currently helping with bookkeeping each week and the Local Veteran Showcase each month.
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Corresponding Secretary - Vicky King, recently retired, from the City of Toccoa Main Street Toccoa, was ready to devote time to volunteering. Vicky, a new Board Member this year, became very much aware of the museum and Historical Society while she worked for the Chamber of Commerce not long after the Historical Society and Chamber moved to the train depot in 2006. Many of you have seen her talent first hand on several of the Currahee Military Weekend shirts and artwork for advertisements over the years. She is creative and talented with graphics and will be helping with the newsletter and media graphics along with her officer duties.
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Board Member and Past President - Steve Tilley is a 1974 Charter Member of the Historical Society and was actively involved for many years. He was President of the Society before he and his family moved to Gainesville Georgia to be closer to their work in the 1980’s. A few years later they returned to Toccoa to be closer to family, but continued to commute to Gainesville until retirement in 2005. Retiring with almost thirty years in education, business education, and serving as Vice-President of Gainesville State College he was ready to get involved with volunteering with the Historical Society. Steve has a special attachment to Currahee Mountain and Camp Toccoa at Currahee. His Dad, Jim Tilley, from West Virginia was one of the cadre troopers that came to Camp Toccoa to train the new recruits to qualify to become a paratrooper. Trooper Tilley left Toccoa with the last regiment that trained at Camp Toccoa, the 511th PIR. His Dad met and married a local girl, Dorothy Farmer. Mrs. Tilley was born and raised on land adjoining Currahee Mountain. Steve helps with exhibits in Currahee Hall and has presented countless programs for the Historical Society and group tours in the museum.
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Board Member and Past President - Rosemary Miller born and raised in Toccoa. She is a graduate of Woman’s College of Georgia and the University of Georgia. Rosemary is a retired educator with forty years of service. She has volunteered for the Historical Society for fourteen years. She is very involved with our local history and has spearheaded and completed several displays in the Stephens County exhibit hall. She is currently working to repair and to restore the ninety year old railroad union building located in the parking lot of the museum. In addition to volunteering once a week in the gift shop, she is always willing to help when needed for other projects, set up for meetings and during events.
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Board Member Kenneth Dover is a native of Toccoa, Georgia, Kenneth Dover was born December 27, 1948. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on September 6, 1967. His tours included assignment to Supply Squadron as Data Processor in the computer center. He also served as part of the Presidential Security Team for President Nixon when he visited his home in Miami, Florida. Kenneth flew on Air Force One on one occasion. He was discharged on September 5, 1971 and he and his wife, Janice, live in Toccoa, Georgia. Kenneth can often be found in the lobby welcoming our visitors to the museum.
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Board Member - Timmi Shawler is a science teacher at Stephens County High School. She has taught for 22 years. Timmi is married to Michael Shawler, also an educator, and is the proud parent of Abigail who attends Stephens County Middle School. Timmi also loves history and has volunteered at the CMM for nearly 5 years. She is passionate about sharing her love of history with others, especially the youngsters of Stephens County. Her goal is to promote history in the community and improve the involvement of young people with the museum. Timmi was selected as “Star Teacher” for 2021-2022 at Stephens County High School. She teaches her students with the same enthusiasm, energy, and passion that she shares with our museum visitors here during her volunteer time.
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Board Member - Jason McFarlin a new Board Member, but no stranger to volunteering. Jason and his son Dallas have come in most Saturdays for several years to help out in the museum. He is also our “go to” person when we need help researching and helps with displays for WWII items and request we get for information on military items. Dallas got a taste of military with his time with our local high school’s JROTC Program. After graduation he joined the Army and was soon transferred to Fort Campbell. In his spare time Jason teaches Sho-Kushin, which he and Dallas both have achieved the Black Belt level. His wife, Misty is a teacher at Liberty Elementary in the Stephens County School System.
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Board Member - Pat Turner is a retired educator who has lived in Stephens County for 35 years, although not consecutively. Originally from Eatonton, Georgia, Pat is a graduate of Piedmont College and has a Masters from Converse College. Being the daughter of a WWII veteran, she has an interest in the military and veterans and is very committed to her volunteer time in the museum. Pat volunteers in the lobby and has volunteered for the Veteran’s Coffee each month for several years. She is married to Gerald Turner who is from Toccoa. They have two sons and two granddaughters.
President Moseley states, "The Historical Society welcomes three new Board Members this term, Pat, Vicky, and Jason, all three are experienced volunteers with the Society or other organizations in our community. All Historical Society Officers and Directors are looking forward serving during 2022."
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Aldbourne Stable
Birthday Celebration
The horse stable, used as military barracks during WWII, will celebrate it’s 100th birthday in March this year. We will celebrate during the weekend dedicated to honoring Camp Toccoa Men, all Veterans, all wars and active military. Mark your calendar for Currahee Military Weekend September 30th, October 1st & 2nd.
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History is the Key to our Past and our Future
Stephens County Historical Society is preserving, protecting, and promoting our history.
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From President Dale Moseley
It is an honor to be asked to serve for the next two years as President of the Stephens County Historical Society. What tremendous growth this Society has made in preserving local history in the last seventy plus years. A big shout out to all those individuals who spent many hours in organizing the Museum on Pond Street and later relocating it to the historical railroad depot. The Stephens County and Toccoa individuals should be extremely proud for volunteers researching and gathering history for our community and providing many outstanding visual displays.
During the last century and decades, much history is recorded and our responsibility is to transfer it to our children and grandchildren. Those of us who love history continue to search. The Museum recently received a beautiful bridal gown made in 1854 by the bride and her sister. See following article for more details.
An additional Society project is underway to research one’s ancestors. A volunteer will be available to help gather this information concerning your family ancestors of Franklin, Banks, Hart, Habersham, and Stephens Counties. If you are interested in obtaining information, call the Museum Office and your request will be given to me.
Last, one of my favorite museum volunteering assignments is planning a monthly coffee for our local military veterans. Each month a veteran speaker shares his/her armed service assignments. When you listen to these veterans who have unselfishly served our country, you will leave knowing why we still have our Freedom. It is great that Stephens County High School has a dedicated Jr. ROTC program in which young students can participate and may someday serve in the military service. The JROTC Color Guard has voluntarily attended the Veterans Coffee since it was first established at the local high school several years ago.
Volunteering for these programs is important and appreciative by the veterans and the Historical Society.
Please join and support our Currahee Military and Stephens County Historic Museum Society. In volunteering, you will meet many visitors from throughout the United States and several different countries that are here to visit the museum.
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Brown Family Collection
Stephens County Historical Society is honored to announce its recent addition to Stephens County History Museum exhibits. Dale Moseley of Toccoa, historical society member and a descendant of Benjamin Pollard Brown, Sr. and his bride, Elizabeth Carolyn Hulsey. Dale was contacted by another Brown descendant’s family member, Jim Winsness with information about the Brown Family research that his wife had collected.
Winsness’s wife, Beverly Castleberry Winsness was the third great granddaughter of Benjamin and Carolyn Brown and the most recent owner of the wedding dress that was worn by her ggg-grandmother in 1858. The Brown families were and continue to be longtime residents of an area of land located at Currahee Mountain. Several families called the land home until the 1930’s when the land was purchased by the government to be used as wildlife management area.
The wedding dress, now 168 years old, and a charcoal portrait of the Brown couple are on display in the museum at the depot. This will be an opportunity for many of the Brown family members to see the dress and portrait for the first time. Beverly was an avid researcher for her family ancestors and information she could find about them and the land where they lived. Beverly also authored a book on Robert Brown’s history of his settling in Cherokee Lands and The Four Mile Purchase. Robert Brown was a Soldier of the American Revolution and settled in this area.
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Sadly, Beverly passed away in February 2019, without publishing her book about the Brown Family History. Her husband, Jim Winsness asked if the wedding dress and portrait could be preserved and placed in the museum. Moseley assured Jim it would be the perfect place to display the history of this family.
If any descendants of the Brown/Hulsey families have history on the Hulsey family, especially 1700’s through 1900’s, please provide copies for the historical society archives. Contact Dale Moseley at 706-282-5055, or email contact@toccoahisotry.com. A dedication for the dress and portrait was held this past December with several of the Brown Family decedents attending.
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Dates to Remember
March 19th Experience Toccoa Day - No admission fee for Stephens County residents with identification.
May 7th Toccoa Train Day - Outstanding Train and Railway Exhibit in the Mitchell Allen Memorial Hall.
May 14th "Night at the Museum" Open to the public, more information TBA
May 21st thru September 5th Blue Star Museums - free admission for active military, their spouses and minor children. Military ID required
September 30th thru October 2nd - Currahee Military Weekend - Book Signing, Veterans Parade, "Your Time to Shine", Currahee Banquet, Remember & Honor Ceremony.
TSC Chamber of Commerce CMW events TBA later.
October 1st "Your Time to Shine" You can register your favorite Veteran or Active Military online to be featured in the Veterans Parade. Click the following link to learn more about this offer and to register your veteran. Your donation of $100 for a 18" X 24" poster to recognize your loved one.
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Museum and Office Hours Monday thru Saturday 10am to 4pm
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