September Meeting: Memories & Movies with Dr. Paul Bradley

September Meeting: Memories & Movies with Dr. Paul Bradley

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Dr. Paul Bradley will share Dalton memories at the next meeting of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2:30 p.m. at the restored freight depot. Highlighting his remarks are the home movies that his father, Crisp Bradley, & Dr. Trammell Starr made in the 1920s & 1930s. Although the movies feature the Bradley & Starr families, the backdrop is Dalton as it was in earlier decades. One memorable shot was taken atop the Hotel Dalton, a panoramic view of the city. Other scenes include the old courthouse, Hamilton & Gordon Streets, & the airport. The public is invited to attend & enjoy Dalton memories.

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Everybody, Somebody, Anybody!! We need YOUR help!

We’ve published this story before, but it applies now more than ever:

Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, Nobody

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, & Nobody. There was an important job to be done, & Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done . . .

We are planning a grand reopening of the History Center & Archives, Blunt House, & Historic Hamilton House for Nov. 12 & 13, 2010. This event will mark a milestone in transforming Crown Gardens into a magnificent historic showplace & will serve as the Dalton area Sesquicentennial Civil War Celebration kickoff.

Of course, work on historic properties is never really “finished;” but thanks to the continued hard work of staff and volunteers, work on the Blunt House & the History Center will suffice to hold an open house. However, the Historic Hamilton House needs HELP!

Over the past several months, work to stabilize & improve the exterior has been completed. Now it’s up to all of us to help get the inside ready. We need volunteers to help prime & paint the interior, then carefully & methodically move everything back in & set up our displays! Easier said than done!

We will be working every Saturday (9a.m.-1p.m.) from now through October. We can also use workers any weekday. Call let Erik know you’re coming through the week or just stop by the Archives for instructions & access to the house.

It would be a shame if it didn’t get finished, & Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done . . .

We plan on having fun at our open house-–we’re even going to dress up for the occasion! For the Hamilton House, characters will be stationed throughout the house as they relate to the various exhibits. Other characters in dress appropriate for 1840-1900 will also serve as hosts/hostesses throughout the house.

For the History Center, we want to capture the Crown Mill office as it might have appeared in the 1920’s. We will have period music & would like characters to dress as mill workers, secretaries, etc. (Actually dress from 1910-1930 will work!) We would also like to have a few antique cars from that period parked out front to add to the feel. If you are interested in helping us by dressing up in costume, please let Erik know ASAP! 706-278-0217

BECOME A CROWN JEWEL

The task of renovating the old Crown Cotton Mill office building has proven to be an adventure & somewhat of a challenge--even more so with limited staff & funds. However, we hope that you will agree that the results are going to be well worth the effort. Our dedicated employees & volunteers have been working very diligently to see the main level of the building completed by November; however, we can’t do it alone. Your support is greatly appreciated & is key to making this project a success.

Consider becoming a “Crown Jewel." The more rubies diamonds in a crown, the more it shines. The more community supporters we have for this worthwhile project, the sooner we will reach our goal of turning the History Center & Archives & Crown Gardens into the premier showplace of local history in northwest Georgia. Become a part of the Crown Jewel Partnership by making a tax-deductible gift at any contribution level.

Donations may be earmarked for sponsorship of specific items or supplies. The names of all Crown Jewel Partners will be permanently displayed. Donors of $250 or more have the option of making their contribution in honor or in memory of a person, family, business or group of their choosing whose name(s) will appear permanently on a brass plaque in a prominent area of the building.

Partnership forms are available at the Whitfield-Murray History Center & Archives, or contributions may be sent to the address on this page.

DNR Wants Your Input!

The Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will conduct meetings throughout the State to elicit public input on the construction of the upcoming Georgia's State Historic Preservation Plan 2007-2011: Building a Preservation Ethic. The meeting in Northwest Georgia will be at the Depot in Calhoun at 10:00 a.m. on Nov. 18, 2010.
An on-line survey is available on the Historic Preservation Division's websiteat

The annual Arts Show at the Chatsworth Depot & the Wright Hotel will be held on Oct. 2 & 3 this year.

WELCOME,

NEWMEMBERS!

Walter Arms, Dalton

Walter & Jean Jones, Dalton

Rick & Margaret Zeisig, Dalton

(Lifetime Membership)

THANK YOU For

the Donations!!

We have recently received a number of donations for which we are very appreciative. There’s so much going on that this newsletter wouldn’t hold it all, but we will be listing our gracious donors & honorees/memorials in the next newsletter.

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Condolences to . . .

*Marcelle White in the loss of her brother, Vince Allan Coker.

*Anne Brindle in the loss of her daughter-in-law, Tammy Brindle.

*Jan McNeill in the loss of her father.

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Whitfield-Murray

Historical Society

P.O. Box 6180

Dalton, Georgia 30722-6180

Phone: 706-278-0217

Email:

Website:

In Person:

Whitfield-Murray History Center & Archives

715 Chattanooga Ave., Dalton, GA 30720

Open Tues.-Fri., 10a.m. to 5p.m.

& Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

By Mail:

P.O. Box 6180, Dalton, GA 30722

By Phone: 706-278-0217

Email:

On the Web:

Facebook Folks!

Become a fan of the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society Page! We are already 950 fans strong! You’ll receive the latest updates & photos of Archive progress & other activities.

Donations needed for exterior repair

of aging Blunt House

THE BLUNT HOUSE, located at 506 S. Thornton Ave. in Dalton, needs area residents' help to preserve its exterior.

The house, the second oldest property owned by the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society & the second oldest house in Dalton, has not been painted since 1994 due to lack of funds. A local contractor has determined that more than 1,000 square feet of deteriorated exterior wood must be replaced with high density pine. Drip caps need to be installed above the windows, & rotten wood on the porches columns must be replaced. The house will be cleaned using water & bleach, followed by two coats of paint. Gutters & downspouts also need replacing. The job will require at least three weeks of intense labor.

In October 1846, Ainsworth Emery Blunt bought the property from Edward White & began construction of a new home for his family. The house is believed to have been built by Drewry Smith was the first two-story frame house erected in Dalton. On June 10, 1847, Blunt's wife of 25 years -- Harriet Ellsworth Blunt -- died. Their youngest child, Ainsworth Emery Blunt Jr., was only 16.

The new home was completed in 1848. It consisted of two rooms downstairs two rooms upstairs with a central hall on each floor. The kitchen was separate from the house to help prevent heat or a possible fire in the main part of the house.

After two years as a widower, Blunt asked Elizabeth Christian Ramsey -- daughter of the Rev. Samuel G. and Elizabeth Christian Fleming Allen Ramsey of Ebenezer, Tenn. -- to marry him. They married on Feb. 6, 1849, in the Old Stone Church in Ringgold. The Blunt House, built for Harriet, became Elizabeth's home.

The Blunt House needs to raise at least $8,000 to fund the exterior restoration. The committee hopes to have the house readyfor the November kickoff of the Civil War Sesquicentennial. It will be one of the important sites of interest in this part of Georgia that is so rich in Civil War history.

All donations are tax deductible. Please specify that your donation is for the Blunt House restoration. Donations may be mailed to the Whitfield-Murray Historical Society, P.O. Box 6180., Dalton, GA, 30722. For more information, call (706) 278-0217.

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