From the Preserving the Past, Preparing for the Future Capital Campaign Leadership:
Marijon Battles, Chairwoman
Elizabeth Harris
Cherry Parris Gladden
Dianne Tate
For several years the Bartow History Museum has been on a quest to bring one of Bartow County’s most historic buildings back to life and to a place of prominence and pride for all citizens. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, the 1869 Courthouse is enjoying a rebirth and will soon fulfill its destiny as the place where students, residents and visitors alike can come to learn and experience the rich history of Bartow County.
In the years immediately following the Civil War, Bartow County families came together and generously donated the funds needed to construct a courthouse for the newly designated county seat. This grass roots effort in the late 1860s resulted in personal and family donations ranging from $100 to $1,000. The amount of these donations is very impressive when you think of what $100 was worth during the period immediately following the Civil War.
Now, more than one hundred and forty years later, there is another grassroots effort underway to transform the building into the County’s history museum. We are kicking off a capital campaign as the final phase of this $2.2 million project. Approximately $1.7 million was raised through the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST). This money was used to restore the physical structure to its original grandeur. Now the Bartow History Museum must raise $500,000 for the construction of exhibits and the relocation of the museum into the newly restored building.
We’ve all read the news and felt the effects of the economy. We understand that now more than ever, where you choose to donate your hard earned money is an important decision. We believe that the same sense of community shared by Bartow County’s forefathers in the 1860s remains strong today. We need you and many other County supporters to help us make the Bartow History Museum project a success.
Please take time to review the detailed plans the museum has for the 1869 Courthouse. If you have questions, feel free to contact Trey Gaines at 770-382-3818, ext. 6286. We hope you will consider helping to preserve Bartow County’s rich history by making a generous donation.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.