Georgia Historical Commission facts for kids
The Georgia Historical Commission was a special group created by the state of Georgia. Its main goal was to protect and share Georgia's history. This group was started in February 1951 by Georgia's lawmakers, called the legislature. They wanted people to learn more about the history of Georgia.
Even though the Commission didn't exist for a very long time, it did a lot of important work. This included putting up hundreds of historical markers all over the state. Many of these markers are still standing today! The idea for creating this Commission came from different local history groups. These groups were starting projects to fix up old buildings and places that were important to the whole state.
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Why the Commission Was Needed
These history projects often needed help with money and expert advice. They also needed a way to work together with other state projects. Three important leaders from Atlanta helped push for the state to create a historical commission.
- Henry A. Alexander: He was a lawyer and became the first chairman of the Commission's board.
- Joseph Jacobs: He was a pharmacist.
- Frank Boland: He was a physician who wanted to honor Crawford W. Long. Dr. Long was a Georgian who was the first person to use ether to stop pain during surgery.
The Secretary of State, Ben Fortson, thought the new group should be part of his department. His office already handled Georgia's important historical papers. Governor Herman Talmadge also supported the idea. He was happy to back a project that many people liked.
How the Commission Started and Grew
When the Georgia Historical Commission first started, it didn't have any money. The law that created it said the state couldn't give it funds. But in 1952, this rule was changed. After that, the Commission became a very important state agency.
C. E. Gregory, a retired newspaper editor, helped a lot to get the Commission started. He became its first executive secretary. Later, in 1960, his daughter, Mary Gregory Jewett, took over his role. She had already been the Commission's historian. Eventually, the Commission had 15 staff members and a nine-person board. Joseph B. Cumming led this board for 15 years. Experts like William R. Mitchell Jr. (who studied old buildings) and Lewis H. Larson Jr. (an archaeologist) also gave advice to the board.
Major Achievements
The Georgia Historical Commission became known across the country as a leader in protecting history. One of its biggest successes was finding, fixing, digging up, and developing 20 historic places. Fifteen of these sites had staff, and seven had museums. Famous examples include New Echota and the Chief Vann House Historic Site.
The Commission's other major achievement was putting up about 1,800 historical markers. In 1962, the 100-year anniversary of the American Civil War was coming up. This inspired the Commission to place 750 Civil War markers before the celebration in 1965. After 1966, the Commission also helped decide which places in Georgia should be added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a national list of important historical sites.
The Commission's End
In 1973, Governor Jimmy Carter changed how the state government was organized. As part of this change, the Georgia Historical Commission was closed after 22 years. Even though the Commission had been very successful, its closing caused some upset.
However, much of the Commission's work continued. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources took over many of its duties. This department now takes care of most of the historic sites and museums. The Georgia Historical Society took over the program for historical markers. Also, some local groups now help maintain several of the historic sites.
