Newnan-Coweta Historical Society

Less than 5 hours until Santa visits!!! Want to take a family photo? Need to plead your case to get on the nice list? Always wanted to meet Mrs. Clause? Then come visit the McRitchie-Hollis Museum tonight! See you then! *Please wear a mask and practice social distancing

Santa!!! We know him!!! And he is visiting the McRitchie-Hollis Museum tomorrow! Join us for our free holiday community event- Cookies with Santa - tomorrow from 5pm to 8pm.

Citizen is feeling the holiday spirit and ready for a visit with Santa this Friday from 5-8pm! Wear a mask, bring your camera, and join us for our free Cookies with Santa community event!

Helen Camp from the Newnan-Coweta Genealogical Society gave us this photograph from the 1892-93 Georgia House of Representatives. Coweta is represented by Wm. Yates Atkinson ( #93) and W. W. Thomas ( #92) Atkinson was the Speaker of the House that year and then was elected Governor in 1894. He's kind of in the lower middle, has a mustache and looks a little angry - his photo is slightly larger than anyone else's. Atkinson had a brother named T.E Atkinson who was the superin...tendant of Coweta Schools. (Atkinson Elementary is named for him and not the Governor.) T.E. built a grand Queen Anne house at 19 Temple Avenue - the movie "Get Low" with Bill Murray, was filmed here. Here is more information about Governor Atkinson. Atkinson was born in the Oakland community in Meriwether County on November 11, 1854. He graduated from the University of Georgia with an LL.B in 1877. He married Susan Cobb Milton, granddaughter of Florida Governor John Milton,[1] in 1880. Political Life[edit] After graduating from the University of Georgia, Atkinson began practicing law in Newnan. Atkinson was the solicitor of the Coweta Superior Court circuit. He then represented Coweta County as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives (188694), where he was the speaker, or presiding officer, during the last two years. As a state representative, he introduced a bill that established the Georgia Normal and Industrial College, which later became Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. He was also the Georgia Democratic Party state chair from 1890 to 1892. Atkinson won the 1894 election and was elected Governor of Georgia. He was reelected to a second term in 1896.[2] During his administration, he hired the first woman salaried employee in state government, Ellen Dortch, as assistant state librarian. In 1897, he vetoed a law that would have prohibited football in the state, due in part to an impassioned letter from Rosalind Burns Gammon, whose son's death had initiated the anti-football legislation.[3] He was vehement in his opposition to the practice of lynching. Atkinson was mentioned by William Henry Holtzclaw, later founder of Utica Institute in Mississippi, as giving him the money he needed to go back to Tuskegee Institute for college - as well as a kindly lecture on the advisability of staying out of politics. Death and legacy Atkinson died on August 8, 1899 at the age of 44. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan. Atkinson County, Georgia is named for him. His son, William Yates Atkinson, Jr., was the Georgia Democratic state chair in 1942 as well as a Georgia state Supreme Court justice from 1943 to 1948. Atkinson Hall, on the campus of Georgia College and State University, is named for him.

Dear NCHS Supporters and Friends! Giving Tuesday is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving Day after "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" as a day to give back to local community and remember that the holidays is truly a season of giving. Now more than ever is when charities need support the most. Because of COVID-19, GivingTuesday 2020 funding is critical. Your local Newnan-Coweta Historical Society relies on membership and donation to continue our operations. Like ma...ny other businesses, non-profits, and operations, COVID-19 has affected us and our ability to raise money through fundraising events, membership drives, and group tours. However, we remained dedicated to our mission to preserve and promote the historical stories of our county. As we look to the upcoming year, we have a renewed focused and drive to protect the stories of our community. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that history and the stories of our past and present are so important to protect and preserve. In the upcoming year, your local Historical Society will be working on the following projects: - Installation of permanent exhibits telling the history of coweta county - Hosting of educational and community-minded events that are socially-distanced and COVID-friendly - Development of educational material including a Traveling Trunk based on Newnan's textile industry - Preservation of historical narratives through professional publication - Even more exciting collaborations, projects, and exhibits! During this #GivingTuesday, we ask you to support these projects and our mission by becoming a Newnan-Coweta Historical Society Member or Donating to the Mission of the Society. Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Emily Kimbell Director

Santa Clause is coming to town! Save the date for Friday, December 4 at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum for photos and cookies with Santa. Santa does ask that all visitors wear a mask and respect social distancing guidelines. We don't want anyone added to the naughty list! *We will be working hard to ensure this is a socially-distanced friendly event. Even the cookies will be pre-packaged and given out in gift bags. So if you want pictures with Santa in a safe COVID-friendly environment, please join us!

30% off Today!!! Come shop with us today at the Train Depot! 9 am-4 pm! #reynoldsestatesales

Y’ALL, THIS SALE....... Newnan Train Depot Thursday, Friday and Saturday https://www.estatesales.net/GA/Newnan/30263/2680251 #reynoldsestatesales

*UPDATE* Due to an unforeseen speaker conflict, the NCHS lecture series is canceled for October 20. We apologize for any inconvenience. In lieu of the Day of the Dead lecture, NCHS will be sharing historical information on the holiday through our social media in the coming week. Follow us for more information, videos, and posts! Stay posted for information regarding our November 17 lecture.

October 29-31, 9am-4pm at the Historic Newnan Train Depot. Reynolds Estate Sales will be hosting a Tag Sale. They will be handing out numbers at 7:30am Thursday morning. These items are from the estates of 15 families, ---- you do not want to miss it!

It’s Georgia Cities Week, and we are joining in on the celebration by sharing historical photos of our city at work! This photo from the late 1940s/early 1950s shows the former Newnan Police Department. The police station at that time was located on the South Court Square in downtown Newnan right beside the Courthouse and also served as the Tourist Information Center!