Georgia's Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot, Inc.

You did it! Thanks to your generous support last year for Georgia Gives Day the Ramp It Up Project was fully funded! We held a small groundbreaking ceremony this morning with a few board members and community supporters to celebrate the beginning of the project. Thank you for your continued support! Follow along on our page for updates on the Ramp It Up Project!

"Looking Back/ Looking Forward: We tell the stories" The history of the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House continues... The Sanford Years, 1868-1966...Continue reading

"Looking Back/ Looking Forward: We tell the stories" The history of the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House continues during October with the sale of the States' Rights Hotel by partners, John Brown and Samuel Beecher, to the Massachusetts-born Daniel Burrell Stetson in 1857.... The Stetson Years 1857 - 1861... Despite John Brown and Samuel Beecher's efforts to sell the States' Rights Hotel, no buyer came forward. The hotel shut down in the mid-1840s. However, during its 21 years of operation, the old hotel had played a prominent part in the history of Milledgeville that transpired outside its doors and inside its parlors. By mid-century, Milledgeville was recognized as the social and political capital of Georgia. Commerce flourished, and the city attracted business, including that of Daniel Burrell Stetson who opened a mercantile store on Wayne Street (in the vicinity of Bayne's Army Store today) and a cotton trading business. During the 1840s, Stetson's family grew, and his business flourished. In 1857, he purchased the former States' Rights Hotel as a family home. By this time the Stetsons had three children - Lizzie, Will, and James. Georgia's Old Capital Heritage Center is all about "Telling the Stories." You can be part of our mission to preserve the history of Milledgeville, Baldwin County, and the Oconee River basin. Join or renew your membership for 2021 during October, and your name will be placed in a drawing for a $100 gift card to Aubri Lanes. Visit www.thedepotga.org for more information. For more information on the history of Milledgeville, the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House, and the Stetson family see: Bonner, James C. Milledgeville's Antebellum Capital. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1978 Cook, Anna Marie Green. History of Baldwin County Georgia. Anderson, S.C.: Keys-Hearn Printing Co., 1925. Davis, Matthew S. (2004). "The Brown-Stetson-Sanford House: A History," Unpublished Masters thesis, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA. 2004. Johnson, John E. "The Brown-Stetson-Sanford House". Personal Papers. n.d. Linley, John. Architecture of Middle Georgia: The Oconee Area. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1972. Walker, Scott. Hell's Broke Loose in Georgia. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2005.

"Looking Back/ Looking Forward: We tell the stories" The Brown Inn and Tavern 1825-1846 By 1825, the city of Milledgeville had emerged from its early frontier roots to take on a new, more elegant appearance. Legislators flocked to the capital as inns, taverns, and a thriving commercial district sprang up around the Statehouse to serve their needs. George A. Brown, a doctor and planter, saw an opportunity to take advantage of this economic boom. He engaged his friend John ...Marlor to build a handsome tavern and inn to cater to visiting legislators on North Wilkinson Street (The site was approximately where the west entrance to the courthouse is located today). Over the years Brown’s Tavern became headquarters for the Whig party, and one can only imagine the passionate political debates, rhetoric, and intrigues that filled its rooms. When George Brown died in 1837, his son John and son-in-law, Samuel Beecher, refurbished the tavern and inn, making it more elegant than ever. They renamed it the States’ Rights Hotel and later the Anti-Van Buren States’ Rights Hotel to express their support for the Whig party. The inn became the political headquarters for the Whig Party, and in 1843, an inauguration ball for the newly-elected Whig Governor George Crawford was hosted at the inn. However, by 1846, the influence of the Whig party was declining. With the loss of the inn’s customer base, the partners were forced to advertise the inn for sale. We tell the stories! Join in preserving the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House and its history by becoming a member of Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at The Depot, Inc. (www.thedepotga.org). Renew or join in October during Membership Month, and your name will be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card or Aubri Lanes Restaurant. #wetellthestories See more

Current Board Member and Past Board President, David Wells, shares about volunteering at the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House. Watch the video to learn more about our mission to provide an exciting approach to historical education at the Brow-Stetson-Sanford House. #wetellthestories

"Looking Back/ Looking Forward: We tell the stories" During its 195-year history as an inn, tavern, private home, restaurant, and museum, the Brown-Stetson-Sanford house has watched local history play out both through its doors and inside its walls. During the month of October, we will share some of that history each week. Join in and share your pictures and stories of the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House. We tell the stories! Join in preserving the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House and its history by becoming a member of Georgia's Old Capital Heritage Center at the The Depot, Inc. (www.thedepotga.org). Renew or join in October during Membership Month, and your name will be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card or Aubri Lanes Restaurant."

It’s Groovin’ in The Grove on Friday, November 6th in the Pecan Grove at Renaissance Park (formerly CSH). Join us for a journey through Rock-n-roll history with Hall of Fame honorees who sang, played, and/or recorded with some of the biggest names in music. Enjoy favorites like Don’t Stop Believin’, Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog and many more during this one-hour concert on the big screen! Sit in your cars, spread a quilt, or set up chairs, but be here for the fun! Admission is free, $5 for parking.

Looking Back/Looking Forward: We Tell the Stories It’s Membership Month at Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center, and we need YOU! We have memberships to fit your budget and interests. Choose from one of our Individual/Family Memberships or a Business Partner Membership and get involved! https://www.thedepotga.org/membership-support... Join Now Help Tell the Stories Join or renew during October, 2020, and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card to Aubri Lane's. Enjoy fine dining onsite or take out.

Today more than 150 million Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee per day or more than 140 billion cups per year! In 2015 there were reportedly 31,490 coffee houses opened across America, over 12,000 of which are Starbucks locations. Ever wondered how coffee became so popular in this country? It all began in 1607 when Captain John Smith introduced coffee in Jamestown, Virginia. He had learned of the drink during his travels in Turkey. The newly arrived America...ns were still too accustomed to drinking tea, hard cider, and ale to like coffee. Even in the mid1700s, tea was still the American drink of choice. It was the Boston Tea Party and the revolt against Britain that turned drinking tea into an unpatriotic act and America into a nation of coffee drinkers. Pour yourself a cup and settle back with a copy of Uncommon Grounds, The Devil’s Cup, Black Gold, or one of the other interesting histories of the dark brew. See more

This beatutiful quilt, entitled "Homage," was shared with us by Christa. She said that although this quilt is not an antique it certainly is unique! It was created in 2004 in Milledgeville by Mary Barbara Tate and Marie Ngô. Thank you for sharing Christa!

The blocks of this friendship quilt were made and signed by individual ladies in 1887-1888. The pattern is the Christian Star. This quilt was donated to the Heritage Center by Mrs. Nell Jackson. It is part our teaching collection and is frequently used during our War Comes to the Capital tours at the Brown Stetson Sanford House.

Never forget. 9/11/2001