Please consider joining the Oconee County Historical Society
The following was lifted from a .pdf file of the current membership flyer for the Oconee County Historical Society, please consider joining or donating at the very least. You need not live in Oconee County to help out. Forgive me for not being able to post the wonderful drawing better.
Goals of the Oconee County Historical Society are to:
Peggy Sommer at 706-769-5876 or oconeehistory@bellsouth.net
THE OCONEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A non-profit organization dedication to maintaining,
enhancing and interpreting historical buildings, documents
and other archeological sites in Oconee County, Georgia, for
the education and enjoyment of all.
Oconee County Historical Society Membership Form
Just circle the membership level, fill out the form and mail it with dues to: PO Box 1514, Watkinsville GA 30677
STUDENTS: $5 INDIVIDUAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: $25 FAMILY: $45 BUSINESS: $60
(For a limited time new members at the family or business level will receive a free poster and set of note cards)
(Individual members who pay $30 will receive a poster)
Name(s): ___________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
Street: _____________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip Code: ______________________________________________________________
E-mail Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Meeting reminders, work days at Central School house and other society news are shared via e-mail
Phone #: ____________________________________________________________________________
CENTRAL SCHOOL HOUSE
OUR CURRENT RESTORATION PROJECT
Central School House is an
example of an early 20th
century rural Georgia school
house. It was built in 1913 in
a move to consolidate several
one-room school houses in
Oconee County. The
structure is a two-story
building that contains an
auditorium (with its original
theater seats), 3 classrooms, 2
bathrooms, an entry area, and
2 symmetrical staircases.
The school was used from 1914 until 1940, when
the building became a community center.
The school house was donated to the county by
John Robert Hale and moved to Heritage Park in
October of 2006, where the county in conjunction with
the Historical Society is trying to establish a collection
of historic buildings threatened by demolition or
neglect. The school house joins a historic 1840’s cabin
that was already at the park.
The Oconee County Historical Society has assisted
the County in its efforts to move the school house and
continues to be an advocate for the restoration project.
In recent years the society has been raising money
through the sale of prints
of the school (with a
photograph of students
that was taken in 1937).
The print was made
from a painting by John
Cleaveland. The society
also has a set of notecards
with sketches of
other Oconee School
houses that are no longer
present. Money was
collected for a new
roof on the school house. The society is currently
collecting funds for pot belly stoves to provide heat so
public functions can be held in the school house. In
addition, donations have been received for the school
house and cabin signs at Heritage Park.
In the meantime, the society has been organizing
work days to help prepare the school house for its
future role in educating the public about Oconee’s
history and as another venue for groups needing a
small auditorium for performances.
“It is my firm belief that a person who can, but will not
bother to do anything to preserve these priceless pieces of
Americana is as guilty of their destruction as he who
actually destroys.” Milton S. Graton
Goals of the Oconee County Historical Society are to:
- Raise money for the restoration of the Central School House
- Gather and record oral histories from Oconee County citizens.
- Research and record historically significant structures in Oconee County.
- Present educational programs about restoration and preservation.
- Organize a historically accurate re-enactment in one of the restored classrooms at the Central School House.
- Educate, celebrate and participate in the Annual Oconee County Fall Festival.
- Provide staffing for open houses at the Central School House and the nearby cabin.
- Collect and protect artifacts including photographs, documents and buildings.
Peggy Sommer at 706-769-5876 or oconeehistory@bellsouth.net
THE OCONEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A non-profit organization dedication to maintaining,
enhancing and interpreting historical buildings, documents
and other archeological sites in Oconee County, Georgia, for
the education and enjoyment of all.
Oconee County Historical Society Membership Form
Just circle the membership level, fill out the form and mail it with dues to: PO Box 1514, Watkinsville GA 30677
STUDENTS: $5 INDIVIDUAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION: $25 FAMILY: $45 BUSINESS: $60
(For a limited time new members at the family or business level will receive a free poster and set of note cards)
(Individual members who pay $30 will receive a poster)
Name(s): ___________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________
Street: _____________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip Code: ______________________________________________________________
E-mail Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Meeting reminders, work days at Central School house and other society news are shared via e-mail
Phone #: ____________________________________________________________________________
CENTRAL SCHOOL HOUSE
OUR CURRENT RESTORATION PROJECT
Central School House is an
example of an early 20th
century rural Georgia school
house. It was built in 1913 in
a move to consolidate several
one-room school houses in
Oconee County. The
structure is a two-story
building that contains an
auditorium (with its original
theater seats), 3 classrooms, 2
bathrooms, an entry area, and
2 symmetrical staircases.
The school was used from 1914 until 1940, when
the building became a community center.
The school house was donated to the county by
John Robert Hale and moved to Heritage Park in
October of 2006, where the county in conjunction with
the Historical Society is trying to establish a collection
of historic buildings threatened by demolition or
neglect. The school house joins a historic 1840’s cabin
that was already at the park.
The Oconee County Historical Society has assisted
the County in its efforts to move the school house and
continues to be an advocate for the restoration project.
In recent years the society has been raising money
through the sale of prints
of the school (with a
photograph of students
that was taken in 1937).
The print was made
from a painting by John
Cleaveland. The society
also has a set of notecards
with sketches of
other Oconee School
houses that are no longer
present. Money was
collected for a new
roof on the school house. The society is currently
collecting funds for pot belly stoves to provide heat so
public functions can be held in the school house. In
addition, donations have been received for the school
house and cabin signs at Heritage Park.
In the meantime, the society has been organizing
work days to help prepare the school house for its
future role in educating the public about Oconee’s
history and as another venue for groups needing a
small auditorium for performances.
“It is my firm belief that a person who can, but will not
bother to do anything to preserve these priceless pieces of
Americana is as guilty of their destruction as he who
actually destroys.” Milton S. Graton
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