Onsite exhibitions created in partnership with Kennesaw State University
ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. —The Adairsville Depot History Museum and Welcome Center reopens its doors with a public celebration Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, from 2 - 4 p. m. The free event is the culmination of a nearly two- year partnership between the City of Adairsville, Kennesaw State University’s Public History Certificate Program and the Sans Souci Women’s Club. The grand reopening invites the community for a first look at the new exhibition that tells the story of the City of Adairsville.
The exhibition in the Depot Museum features key events, individuals and ideas throughout Adairsville’s 150- year history, including an exploration of the Great Locomotive Chase that brought the name of Adairsville to national recognition during the Civil War. The Depot Museum explores the history of this small town, located on one of Georgia’s most vital transportation corridors, including the economics of peaches and moonshine; the impact of world wars and the Great Depression; and the changing dynamics of education, religion, and race relations.
While the main hall features the information chronologically and thematically, the curatorial team emphasized individual experiences in the adjoining two rooms, including Dr. Joseph Bowdoin, the Veach family, “Pretty Boy” Floyd, and gospel music legend Wally Fowler. Dave Bennett of Train Installations, LLC created two model trains specially commissioned for the renovation: one mounted above the exhibition space re- creating the Great Locomotive Chase, the other depicting a diptych of nineteenth and twentieth century Adairsville.
“We work together to make sure Adairsville never loses its soul,” noted Ahmad Hall, Chair of the Adairsville Downtown Development Authority. Dr. Jennifer Dickey, Associate Professor of History and Coordinator of the Public History Program at Kennesaw State, attests to this sense of community: “I was so inspired to see how many residents of Adairsville contributed their time, experiences and resources to build something that reflected the civic pride that runs so deeply in this community,” said Dickey. “The support and commitment from the Sans Souci Women’s Club and City Hall, as well as countless residents was amazing. Beth Smith, Linda Bass, and Ahmad Hall were especially helpful. This has been one of the best community projects I have ever done in my life.”
The Depot Museum and Welcome Center is the centerpiece of downtown and provides numerous opportunities to engage with the community and beyond through such events as the Great Locomotive Chase Festival, held each fall since 1968. The collaborative project is itself a reflection of the hospitality of the City of Adairsville: the Depot Renovation Committee reached out to Jennifer Dickey regarding the collaborative project, and Dickey recruited dozens of students in her Oral History, Museum Education, and Documentation and Interpretation classes at Kennesaw State to work on the exhibition as their class’ capstone project.
“Dr. Dickey was highly recommended as the person to help with this project,” noted Beth Smith of the City of Adairsville. “She listened to our goals and objectives surrounding the re- organization of the Depot. A City- approved master plan was created; then divided into segments for student groups to implement. Now, visitors walking through our museum doors will receive consistent, pertinent, and factual information regarding Adairsville’s rich history in an organized manner. We are thrilled with the outcome of this collaborative effort. Working with Dr. Dickey, her students and colleagues has been an incredible experience.”
The September 24 Grand Reopening features remarks, a ribbon cutting with Adairsville Mayor Kenneth ( K. C.) Carson, and light refreshments. The event is free and open to the public, and no reservations are required. The Depot Museum is located at 101 Public Square, Adairsville, Ga. 30103, and is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday ( call for hours). For more information, contact the Depot Museum at 770- 773- 1775.