March-April 2020

March
The month of March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war. This was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter
“Evenings with History” with Dr. Bob Wilson continues on March 17 th 
“Evenings with History” on February 17 was standing room only when Dr. Bob Wilson presented Part I of “The Vision of a Capital”, a look at the early history of Milledgeville. Mark your calendar for March 17 th , 6:30 PM (new time!), at St. Stephens Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, when Dr. Bob returns with another engrossing presentation on Milledgeville’s history from 1820-1860. The public is invited and there is no admission charge; however, donations for The Depot renovation project are encouraged. 
Paperback copies of the novel “Peculiar Ideas” by Catherine Vance will be available ($20). The Asylum (known today as Central State Hospital), is prominently featured in the novel. Ms. Vance will be at The Just Imagine Cottage on March 24 th for a Meet & Greet Book Signing. 
Clay Shoot Fundraiser March 21 st  
Join us for an afternoon of Clay Shooting with a BBQ lunch, contests, and prizes at Old Hudson Plantation on March 21 st , 12 noon-5 pm. Learn some history of the sport and show off your shooting skills as we raise funds for The Depot renovation. Register your team or as an individual online at www.thedepotga.org or at The Just Imagine Cottage at 95 Depot Circle (CSH). Shooting teams comprised of youth are encouraged to participate.

A special thanks to our event sponsors: 
Century Bank, Citizens Bank of The South, and Williams Funeral Home
Meet & Greet Book Signing March 24 th  
Join us for a Meet & Greet Book Signing on Tuesday, March 24 th , with Canadian author Catherine Vance as she introduces her latest novel, Peculiar Ideas . It is an engrossing read that begins with Tess Flanagan’s discovery of a newspaper clipping with headlines reading, “Milledgeville lunatic raises man from the dead.” Follow Tess’ search for information about her alcoholic grandfather who deserted his pregnant wife, joined the Coast Guard, and ended up at the asylum in Milledgeville in 1925. It is a story of two generations whose lives are intertwined with guilt, betrayal, and finally, redemption. Paperback copies of Peculiar Ideas will be available at Evenings with History on March 17 th and at The Just Imagine Cottage ($20). 
March-April 2020

April
From the Latin word aperio , “to open” (bud), because plants begin to grow
during this mont h
BLUEGRASS IS BACK!
Join us on the front lawn of the Powell Building on the campus of the former Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, GA, for an afternoon of Bluegrass music with 3 great bands.

🪕 Purchase advance tickets for the event online at BLUEGRASSBREWANDQUE.COM or at 478-453-1803 and save. 
Get advance tickets and express service when you buy tickets online for Georgia Bob’s BBQ (and/or chicken salad) plates and bowls of peach cobbler.
 Wine, beer, tea, water, and soft drinks will be available for purchase the day of the event.
Craft vendors will have lots of unique items for sale. 

🪕 Spread a quilt on the lawn or purchase a VIP ticket that includes reserved parking, reserved Table Seating, and food & drink (non-alcoholic) vouchers.

🪕 You will Support Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center
at The Depot, Inc.’s Destination: Depot Renovation Project. It’s a great event for a great cause!

Call 478-453-1803 for more information.

Special thanks to our event sponsors:
 Exchange Bank and Williams Funeral Home.
The Georgia Trust PLACES IN PERIL List
The Georgia Trust’s Places In Peril List is a program to identify and preserve historic sites threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development, or insensitive public policy.
The campus of the former Central State Hospital was chosen for The Georgia Trust’s 2020 Places in Peril List. Since CSH is composed of 200 buildings on 2000 acres, the Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority chose The Depot to represent the campus. It is a privilege to work with the Georgia Trust in promoting The Depot and the work going forward on its renovation for a regional Heritage Center to include a Lobby/Native American Gallery, Theater/Community Venue Space, Café, Bookstore/Gift Shop, Exhibits, and STEAM Education Center. 
Support The Destination: Depot Project every time you shop AmazonSmile
YOU SHOP AMAZON GIVES

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Heritage Center every time you shop, at no cost to you. Enjoy the same convenient shopping experience of Amazon.com with the added bonus that a portion of your purchase is donated to the Heritage Center. Register at www.amazonsmile.com .

Georgia Day in Review  
Visitors of all ages came to The Just Imagine Cottage for a Georgia Day Celebration on February 8 th . Author Karen Grimes shared her book A Celebration of the Georgia State Symbols and Gen. James Oglethorpe (a.k.a. David Wells) shared stories about the settlement of Georgia. Refreshments were in keeping with the day—teacakes in the shape of the state of Georgia and Coca-Cola, the formula for which was invented by Dr. John Pemberton on May 8, 1886 in Atlanta, GA, and sold for 5 cents a glass!

Thank you, Georgia Power Foundation!  
Special thanks to the Georgia Power Foundation for the generous donation to GOCHC’s “Ramp It Up” Project to build three access ramps from the parking lot to the front entrances of The Depot. Greg Tyson, Georgia Power Area Manager, (right) presented the check to (l-r) Carol Goings, GOCHC President; Dr. Amy Wright, Executive Director; and Carol Grant, GOCHC Treasurer.
Membership has its privileges…
Have you checked out GOCHC Membership perks? Receive a bi-monthly email newsletter, get special event invitations, stay up-to-date on The Depot renovation project, and more.
We also have an Annual Business Patrons’ Package that gives our business sponsors exposure and special perks. 
Membership forms and Annual Business Patron’s Packages are available on our website at www.thedepotga.org   

Why is history important?
“When a society or civilization perishes, one condition may always be found. They forgot where they came from. They lost sight of what had brought them along. The hard beginnings were forgotten…and vision and hope faded. And the custom of greeting became “What’s the use?” And men whose forefathers would go anywhere, holding nothing impossible in the genius of man, joined the mockers and deniers. They forgot where they came from. They lost sight of what had brought them along.

Carl Sandburg
Thank you for your support of Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at The Depot, Inc., and our mission to “identify, interpret, preserve, and communicate the historical and cultural heritage of Milledgeville, Baldwin County, and the Oconee River Basin.”

GOCHC is a private 501(C)(3) non-profit. We depend on donations, memberships, and grants to continue to promote the history of this area. Your support is critical and greatly appreciated. Your gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by the law.