During the 1970’s James and Francis Mathis started collecting artifacts
from the early days of those who settled in Northeast Georgia. A number
of items were soon displayed at Gainesville’s Home Federal Savings
Bank. As others in the community started to express an interest in remembering
the past, a nucleus began to be formed with plans to start a museum.
The City of Gainesville made available to the group a vacant fire station
building downtown. Volunteers then began collecting objects that would
relate to the history of this area. The Georgia Mountain History Museum
was underway. School children, tourists, and home-folks were soon attracted
to the museum.
By the early 1990’s, it was realized that the future of the museum
had to include its own building in a more accessible location. The turning
point came in 1995 when Brenau University President John Burd committed
a tract of campus property for the History Museum, the White Path Cabin,
and a blacksmith shop donated by Hoyt Herrin. Now all that was needed
was money to construct the new museum building. Volunteers started soliciting
the community for contributions. After some years of stop and go, architectural
plans sere finally completed and all stood in readiness.
As an incentive the move ahead, and new vision was adopted: a new name,
a new building, and a new mission. Finally the dreams of dedicated museum
volunteers came into reality, The Northeast Georgia History Center at
Brenau University was ready to open a 25,000 square foot facility of its
own.
Since the Grand Opening in May of 2004 the Northeast Georgian History
Center at Brenau University has served the community through its thriving
programs, forums, educational offerings, and special events. We hope you
will visit soon and add your story to ours!
A current exhibit at the Northeast Georgia History Center
