History Page

Newnan- Coweta Historical Society

Dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the cultural, historical and architectural heritage of Coweta County.

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Histories of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society
and the Male Academy Museum

Historical Society

The Historical Society was formed with the express purpose of investigating and preserving the richness of our southern heritage. We maintain some wonderful displays at the Male Academy Museum relating to this history. Among these are Indian Artifacts, treasured furniture, Civil War artifacts including guns, swords, bayonets as well as early medical instruments. Maps, photos and histories abound.

In addition to our rich antiquities, Coweta County has more recently produced several notables: Erskine Caldwell a celebrated writer, humorist Lewis Grizzard, cartoonist David Boyd, author Margaret Barnes, renown pianist Charles Wadsworth, Country Music Star Doug Stone, and Country Music Legend, Alan Jackson.

Come experience the displays. We regularly change many of the displays so it is likely that you will always see something new.

Additionally, we have an extensive selection of books and memorabilia for sale.

***A bit of our history

Meeting in 1971 in the library of Dr. and Mrs. John Wells' home, "Caroline," at 98 Greenville Street, several concerned citizens discussed the urgent need of preserving and protecting historical homes and buildings of the community. Among those present were Dr. and Mrs. John G. Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Askew, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Banks, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brewer, Dr. and Mrs. J.0. St. John, and James 0. Hardin, Jr.

On December 7, 197 1, James 0. Hardin, Jr., WCOH Radio Station owner/manager, spoke to the Newnan City Council on behalf of those citizens. There were so many citizens present, the Council meeting was moved from Council chambers to the large Civic Auditorium downstairs. Hardin told the Council, "We have organized to preserve, protect, and improve our homes, buildings, churches, and other structures not only in Newnan but throughout Coweta County, that have historical and architectural significance. We are not living in the past, but as a realistic practical matter, We realize that the present time is the correct time to preserve the best of our past-looking toward a brighter future for Newnan economically, socially, and culturally."

Urging the City Council to take steps to protect and preserve Newnan's architectural heritage as well as the city's beautiful tree-lined streets, the fledgling Society then turned towards tasks of incorporation and recruitment of officers and members.

Herb Bridges became the first president, serving from 1972 through 1974. The first board of directors were the incorporators. Incorporated as the nonprofit Newnan-Coweta Historical Society, Inc. under the laws of the State of Georgia on February 24, 1972, the corporation had the following incorporators: Mrs. Virginia B, Arnold, Rufus B. Askew, Mrs. June M. Brewer, Herb Bridges, James 0. Hardin, Jr., Mrs. Berry K. Lillie, Byron H. Mathews, Jr., Mrs. Virginia B. St. John, and Patrick H. Yancey, Jr.

The Society's purposes in the articles of incorporation listed the preservation and conservation of the cultural, historical, and architectural heritage of Coweta County. The Society was declared to be tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service.

In addition to the incorporators, other charter members were Dr. Ernestine Parker, Mrs. Margaret Moody, Mrs. King Wilson, Mrs. Margaret Caldwell, Mrs. Marjorie Malloy, Mrs. Sally Smith, Mrs. Karl Nixon, Mr. and Mrs. Joel H, Sanders and Mrs. Catherine Glass.

Membership grew to ninety seven that first year. Annual dues were $5.00 President Herb Bridges arranged for programs on local history. These events, presented by West Georgia College, were funded under the 1965 National Foundation of the Arts and Humanities Act.

The Society has reproduced over 100 years of the Newnan-Coweta County newspapers on microfilm, has reprinted two volumes of early county histories, has published two volumes of Coweta County marriages, and has published this history of Coweta County.

For eleven of the Society's fifteen years, the organization has presented a tour of homes featuring some of Newnan's and Coweta County's loveliest homes. The Society has worked with city and county governments in efforts to preserve and utilize historic buildings.

The Society commissioned a pewter plaque for designation of historic homes and buildings in Newnan's three areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The group has presented relevant and interesting monthly programs at membership meetings; has participated in Powers Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festivals and other such events; and has established and operates a museum of local history in the old Male Academy building (ca. 1883), in conjunction with the City of Newnan, which in 1978 had the building moved back to the original land lot designated for educational purposes.

In 1987, the membership of the Society exceeds 330, including a number of patrons and other special gifts,

Presidents of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society 1972-1974 Herb Bridges, Sharpsburg; 1975 Dr. Michael Collier, Newnan-, 1976 L.E. Sport, Palmetto; 1977 Norm Gunby, Sharpsburg; 1978 W. Thomas Camp, Newnan; 1979 Robert Allen, Grantville; 1980 Elizabeth A. Beers, Newnan 1981 no elected president; 1982 Donna Slatten, Newnan 1983 James 0. Hardin, Jr., Newnan; 1984 Miriam C. Mille Moreland; 1985-1986 Elizabeth A. Beers, Newnan; and 1987 William R. Miller, Moreland.

Museum

The idea of a museum for Newnan and Coweta County was conceived by Georgia Shapiro and other Historical Society members when Mrs. Shapiro recognized a long vacant, deteriorating building an College Street as being the old Male Academy, or Male Seminary, which originally had been a private boys' school in the 1880's.

The school closed in 1888 when the public school system was instituted in Newnan- Sometime after that the building was moved from its location in the school lot on Temple Avenue around the corner to College Street. where it was divided into apartments and rented for a number of years. Through joint efforts of the Historical Society and the City of Newnan, the building was moved back to near its original site and restored for use as a museum

Inspiration and the nucleus for the funding of a museum was provided by Mrs. Coral Moses Hand of Senoia, daughter of Professor Charles Leavell Moses, who taught at the school. Restoration was completed in 1978, the Society began "collecting" items, and Society members furnished the museum and set up exhibits,

A special opening and dedication was held in October 1978 with Mrs. Hand and many members of her family on hand for the ceremony. At that time, she presented a handsome oil portrait of her father, Professor Moses, to the museum.

In an operating agreement with the City of Newnan. the Society leases the building from the City, which provides utility service and exterior maintenance. The Society maintains the interior, provides insurance coverage on the contents, and provides the staff to have the museum open a specified number of hours each week.

The museum was operated by Society members and other workers on a volunteer basis until 1985 when it participated in the Museum Assessment Program and began concerted efforts to establish operations on a professional basis. That year a part-time director/curator was hired. Policies. guidelines, and operating procedures were established.

Funding for the museum operation has been provided by donations from citizens, Society members, corporations, and other groups. The Historical Society contributes more than 75 percent of its funds to the museum operation. A separate museum board was established in 1986 to operate the museum under the umbrella sponsorship of the parent Historical Society. The executive committee of the museum board in 1987 consisted of Joan Bassett, chairman; Charles Beams, vice chairman Dale Von Kohr . secretary : Susan Coggin, treasurer; and Pope Jones, Ellen Ehrenhard, director/ curator (fall 1985-July, 1987 ) served ex-officio.

Secure repository and exhibit space is provided for a significant collection of Historical objects and documentary materials which have been donated by local residents.

Special exhibits are presented periodically. Permanent exhibits feature the I.E.C.W, Smith collection of decorative arts, and an actual Civil War battle flag, which has been restored and framed. A well-documented costume and textile collection includes articles from 1850 to 1950, and is representative of the economy and the lifestyle of Coweta County residents through the years.

The museum is open to the public at designated times on a regular basis. Admission is free. However, donations are needed and appreciated in order to continue this service to the Community.