Happy New Year!
I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday season! As you can see from the photo, I traveled to the Big Apple with my family for a few days before Christmas. We had a great time seeing the holiday sights, and we even had an opportunity to see the large 2022 lights in Times Square before they were put in place for the New Year’s Eve ball drop.
As we begin 2022, I want to take a quick look back at 2021 with you. While we all experienced challenges over the course of the year, our work here at the museum continued in earnest. New community partnerships were created and ongoing ones were strengthened. Memberships increased. We hosted 16 lectures and 13 special events, as well as curated 7 temporary exhibits. You donated dozens of historically important artifacts to the museum’s collection. We were recognized as a Friend of Agriculture by the Bartow County Farm Bureau. Longtime member and supporter Marty Mulinix honored us with a major gift, leading to the naming of our archives and research library in her family’s honor. And much more! Of course, we couldn’t do any of this without the support and dedication of our members, donors, and visitors. I’d like to give a special shout out to those that contributed to our Annual Appeal campaign last month. Thank You! Your support means a lot to us. Look for a list of contributors further down in this newsletter.
Looking ahead, on January 10 we are excited to open a new Bartow In Pictures photograph exhibit along our main hallway. This year’s theme is Bartow Eateries. Check out these 12 images of some of Bartow County’s eateries from years gone by, including a few that are still around. You will also find information in this newsletter about the upcoming lectures and events we have planned over the next few months. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Lastly, if you have not yet stopped by to see our current temporary exhibit, Thread by Thread: Northwest Georgia’s Tufted Textile Heritage, you have until the end of January to do so. This traveling exhibit from the Bandy Heritage Center at Dalton State College details the fascinating history of chenille and the tufting industry that eventually led to the thriving carpet industry that northwest Georgia is known for. We have also supplemented the exhibit with some beautiful examples of chenille bedspreads and robes from the BHM collection. Come check it out before it closes on January 31.
Happy 2022!
|
|
|
|
Don't forget to check out what's new in the Member Portal on our website. To access it, continue to use the password, bhmmembers2020.
|
|
|
|
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS
|
|
|
|
Holiday Festivities at Bartow History Museum |
|
|
|
Old-Fashioned Christmas
Back in November, we hosted our annual Old-Fashioned Christmas event. Every year, we partner with local photographer Louis Tonsmeire to offer photos with Santa at the museum. The families that participate get to visit with Santa, enjoy the museum exhibits decorated for the holidays, and leave with festive craft boxes for the kids to put together.
The Bartow History Museum staff always has a fun time putting on this event! In the photo you can see BHM Marketing Manager, Lauren Storey-Rhodes (left) and Membership Manager, Angelica Carver (right), having a fun time dressed up as elves.
|
|
|
|
Christmas Parade
Sip & Stroll
This year we were able to offer a family-friendly sip & stroll on the night of the Cartersville Exchange Club Christmas Parade.
Attendees and employees alike enjoyed watching the parade together and then hearing some tales about their favorite holiday music. The night ended back at the museum with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies!
|
|
|
|
Member Spotlight
The Bramlett Family
Give a warm welcome to our Recollections members of the quarter, the Bramlett family. From left to right is Daniel, Andrew, Beth and Lewis Bramlett. Originally from Alabama, Lewis grew up in North Carolina, while Beth was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Both Lewis and Beth moved to Atlanta for work and met while hiking Kennesaw Mountain. Married on December 1st, Lewis and Beth’s 20th anniversary just passed this previous month. The couple’s two sons, Andrew and Daniel, were born in Georgia at Kennestone Hospital. The family currently resides in Kennesaw, Georgia, where Andrew and Daniel are currently homeschooled.
When asked what made the family become members of the Bartow History Museum, they explained that they have always enjoyed getting to learn about local history and that part of that process is visiting the local history museums. When asked what was the family’s favorite thing about being members, they answered enjoying the variety of events, the gift shop, and the process of getting to know the staff. Specifically, they cited having great experiences with Pat Taff, our gift shop manager, and Trey Gaines, our museums director.
Since the holiday season has just passed, we asked the family about traditions, gift giving, and how they enjoy spending their holiday season.
Q: What is your family’s favorite way to spend a day off?
A: There are really two things that come to mind. As mentioned earlier, we have always enjoyed visiting many of the cities in our area. An important part of that is we like to visit the museums, historic sites, and state and national parks. Another thing we like to do is to volunteer. We enjoy volunteering with many different groups in our immediate area and most of them have a connection to local history. In addition, Andrew’s favorite things to do are to attend the weekly Kennesaw City Council meetings and to give presentations on history related topics that he researches.
Q: Does your family have a favorite holiday? Why or why not?
A: The Christmas season is a very exciting time for our family. Our wedding anniversary is December 1, and both our boys have December birthdays. We have always joked that from Thanksgiving to New Year’s we have one big party. Each year we have a checklist of things to do during the holidays. Items on the list can range from decorating the tree and making peppermint bark to visiting holiday light displays and watching our favorite Christmas movies.
Q: Who is the best gift giver in your family?
A: Lewis has always been able to find unique and interesting items. As an example, several years ago, we visited the Grove Park Inn in Asheville in the spring, and I fell in love with the Arts and Crafts design. That Christmas, he gave me an entire notebook of Grove Park Inn artifacts and memorabilia he had secretly collected (thanks to eBay!) since our trip. It was a complete surprise, and I loved how much thought he put into it over all those months.
Q:What’s your favorite family tradition?
A: We couldn’t come up with a good answer for this one, other than the Christmas checklist we described previously. I like going to Walt Disney World – particularly EPCOT – for vacation, and the boys graciously humor me and go along. We had hoped to travel internationally with the boys in 2020, but COVID had other plans for us! Mostly we just enjoy spending time together.
|
|
|
|
Employee Spotlight
Angelica Carver
Give a warm welcome to the newest member of the Bartow History Museum staff, Membership Manager Angelica Carver. Angelica was born in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and has been a resident of Cartersville, Georgia, since 2010.
In May of 2021, Angelica graduated from Kennesaw State University with her Bachelor of Science in Organizational and Professional Communication. She and her husband, Justin, live with their two cats, Roxy and Cole, and their dog, Diggory.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events...
Here is a list of upcoming events. Be sure to check the website for more details and ticket information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch & Learn: Randy Patton
In keeping with the theme of our current temporary exhibit, Thread by Thread: Northwest Georgia's Tufted Textile Industry, our January Lunch & Learn will focus on textile history. For this particular lecture, Randy Patton, Professor of History at Kennesaw State University, will be presenting on the topic of the chenille industry in Northwest Georgia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Evening Lecture: Ann McCleary
Join the Bartow History Museum for our January Evening Lecture, again focusing on the topic of the textile industry. During this lecture, attendees will hear from Ann McCleary, Professor of History at the University of West Georgia. McCleary will be discussing the West Georgia Textile Heritage Trail Project, with a specific focus on our region.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Valentines To Remember
Join the Bartow History Museum for a romantic evening you're not soon to forget.
We invite guests to experience a candle-lit, catered meal for two amongst the historic displays of the Bartow History Museum. While enjoying food and wine, guests will be treated to romantic music and readings of historic love letters and poems pulled from the museum archives. At the end of the evening guests will leave with favors and a photograph to commemorate the evening. Reservations are required. Watch the BHM website for ticket information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch & Learn: Reverend Louise Young Harris
The Bartow History Museum's February Lunch & Learn will focus on the history of Queen's Chapel Methodist Church, located in Kingston, GA. Specifically, attendees can look forward to learning of the church's surprising connection to former First Lady, Michelle Obama.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Evening Lecture: Ahmad Hall
Local Historian, Ahmad Hall, will give a presentation on his family’s personal history and connection to our area. More specifically Hall will discuss the Butler’s family migration from South Carolina to Bartow County.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl
The Bartow History Museum is partnering with the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority to be part of the St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl!
When you sign up for the crawl, add the Bartow History Museum for an additional $10 and come hear a live Celtic music performance and grab a festive, themed cocktail. Tickets for the pub crawl can be purchased on the Cartersville DDA website.
For our members only, we are offering stand-alone tickets for just the performance. If you are interested in coming for the performance only, please send an email to our programming department at programs@bartowhistorymuseum.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch & Learn: Andrea McKenzie
Andrea McKenzie, Works on Paper Curator at the Carlos Museum at Emory University, is going to discuss how the Carlos Museum, and museums in general, use their collections and programs to engage with ongoing civil rights issues.
|
|
|
|
|
President James K. Polk Historic Site
Pineville, North Carolina
If you find yourself in need of some time away, you may want to make a trip to the President James K. Polk Historic Site. Your membership at the Bartow History Museum gets you free general admission to the museum. Located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, the President James K. Polk Historic Site is managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Once owned by the parents of former President James K. Polk, the historic site serves to tell the story of the President's political career, as well as provide a look into life in North Carolina in the early 19th century. The site includes guided tours of the grounds historic cabins, a historically-inspired kitchen garden, and a cemetery where Polk’s family members who lived and died in the 18th and 19th centuries now reside. The President James K. Polk Historic Site is located at 12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, NC 28134.
|
|
|
|
News From the Museum Collection
Building the Collection: Candy Striper Uniform & Pins
The Candy Striper uniform is iconic within the history of nursing. This red and white striped pinafore was an instant identifier for those now referred to as junior volunteers. The concept of the Candy Striper originated at Vernon L. Davy High School located in New Jersey in 1944. The students, all girls at the time, were given the iconic red and white fabric by their teacher, and were responsible for sewing their own uniform. Other schools soon adopted this student work program to help ease the load of hospital workers and give students a chance to get hands-on experience within the field of nursing. By the 1990’s the uniform morphed into its present day form which includes a teal shirt and khaki pants. The program also evolved to include high school boys.
A Candy Striper pinafore in the traditional red and white striped fabric, was recently donated to the museum by Patricia (Patsy) Butler Barret. She volunteered as a Candy Striper at Sam Howell Memorial Hospital here in Cartersville in the 1960s. The pinafore buttons at the waist and has two shoulder straps with buttons on the left-hand side. There are two large pockets on the front.
Along with the classic striped pinafore, Mrs. Patricia Barret also donated her name badge and service pin.
|
|
|
|
News From the Museum Archives
A Gleeful Donation
Prior to World War II, men’s singing groups, or glee clubs, on college campuses were very popular. Those same men carried a desire with them to sing after enlisting in the U. S. Army. Recognizing their skills, the 42nd Infantry Division put a soldier, a former choir director, in charge of forming a singing group whose purpose was to go on a war bond tour.
But, before this could happen, their duties shifted after D-Day, and these soldiers became part of the American Occupation Force carrying out various duties while waiting to be sent home. It was during this time that a new glee club was formed from the 222nd Infantry Regiment to help raise morale during occupation duties.
Bartow County native Lloyd Milton Perry was a member of this glee club, and the museum recently received a donation which included photos of the glee club performing in Vienna, Austria. Mr. Perry is pictured on the back row, seventh from the left.
|
|
|
|
Thank you to our Annual Appeal supporters! Your donations will help us continue meeting our mission throughout 2022.
Don & Becky Bergert
Patti Berry
Connie & Ed Bostick
John Brooke
Earline Burke
Ann Cummings
Nanette Enloe
Bill & Carolyn Gaines
Tom Hall
David & Pat Holt
Ronny & Barbara Manning
Richard & Emily McClurg
Hilda Moore
Dick & Sue Neelly
Ann Olszewski
Terri St. Clair
Linda Thomson
Beth Tilley - Tilley Properties Inc.
Susan Turner
Lisa Webb
Barry Wright
Candler & Susan Ginn
Sammy & Joyce Morris
|
|
|
|
New Toys for the New Year
Come check out our newest vintage-inspired toys at the Bartow History Museum! These toys are the perfect thing for playing inside during the cold winter months. Stop by the BHM Gift Shop Monday- Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm or shop online any time!
|
|
|
|
Trey Gaines, Director
Tina Shadden, Registrar
Sandy Moore, Archives Assistant
Joshua Graham, Manager of Programs
Sarah Strickland, Program Support
Jordan Duncan, Program Support
Lauren Storey Rhodes, Marketing Manager
Pat Taff, Guest Services Manager
Angelica Carver, Guest & Membership Services
Marie Purser, Guest Services
|
|
|
|
Our Mission is to preserve Bartow County History, educate a diverse community of students and visitors about its unique heritage, and to celebrate its sense of place through exhibits, programs, and outreach activities in an engaging and pleasant manner. |
|
|
|
MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP
770.387.2774
4 East Church Street
Cartersville, GA 30120
BartowHistoryMuseum.org
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Sunday Closed
|
|
OFFICES & ARCHIVES
770.382.3818
13 North Wall Street
Cartersville, GA 30120
BartowHistoryMuseum.org
Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
Weekends By Appointment
|
|
|
|
|
|
