Many events planned to celebrate founding

The Founding of the Colony of Georgia 285 years ago, on February 12, 1733,

will be celebrated in many different ways.

The Georgia Historical Society in Savannah takes the lead every year in Geor- gia Day celebrations with their Georgia History Fes- tival, including a February 9 parade with school children. At georgiahistory.com, teachers and others can find educational material about Georgia’s birth — go to the “Learn” heading, which lea ds to “Explore Georgia History” and “For Educators.” A lso, on Feb. 9 and 10, the Georgia Archives will display the Royal Char- ter and Georgia’s recorded copy of the Declaration of Independence.

This is always a good time to reflect on some of the principles upon which the colony was founded: philanthropy, to help out the worthy poor of London; and religious freedom to a point, as the new colony allowed in Protestants and Jews, but prohibited Catholics. The charter also prohibited slavery duri ngtheT rusteeship, the first 20 years until 175 2. Anyo ne leaving London and its environs had to be interviewed and vetted by the Trustees, the corporation that founded the colony under the royal char- ter, before they could board the Anne for the journey to the New World. Georgia’s founding and c olonial period is rich with historical records and resources, found at the Georgia Archives, the University of Georgia’s Hargrett Library, and the Georgia Historical Society, as well as in many published sources.

Protestants in Georgia in 1736 topic of Lunch and Learn

Richard “Bo” Adams, professor at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, will be the February 9 Lunch and Learn speaker at the Georgia Archives. His topic will be: “Two Ships that Sailed to Georgia in 1736: Conversations between the Wesleys, the Moravians, and the Salzburgers.” It focuses on h ow they in fluenced each other during the trip. The noon event is free. Bring yourownlunch.GotoGeorgiaArchives.org or call 678364-3710. See visitebenezer. com for more on the Georgia Salzburger Society and the Ebenezer historic site.

Georgia Archives Centennial Tours

The Georgia Arc hives will begin the celebration of “Georgia Archives, 100 years, Where We Are Now” by hosting a free tour of the facility on the second Saturday of each month, beginning Feb ruary 10 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.