Artifacts bring counties together
With a flash of scissors, the North Georgia Mountains History Center (NGMHC) made some history of its own at its ribbon cutting ceremony.
The event, hosted by the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce, celebrated the museum’s successful opening.
“Everybody really had a great time,” the museum’s founder and President Jan Murphy said.
“People are surprised to see so much.”
More than 20 people from Gilmer and Pickens County attended the Thursday, June 18, event.
North Georgia’s many counties have a shared history on proud display at the NGMHC.
Wars, rural culture and bootleggers have all impacted the state’s northern regions. Gilmer’s center receives visitors from all over northern Georgia.
“We see ourselves as a little welcome center, sharing it with everyone else,” she said.
One of the center’s most popular attractions is a pair of “cow shoes.”
The shoes date back to the Prohibition era, when the mountains were full of hidden distilleries trying to cash in on the alcohol black market.
These shoes have special soles that resemble cow footprints. These were designed and worn by bootleggers hoping to trick federal agents during Prohibition.
“Most people don’t know that,” Murphy said.
Another piece of history at the NGMHC is an old outhouse.
“Believe it or not, there’s a lot of people that have never been in an outhouse,” she said.
Before northern Georgia communities had indoor plumbing, families would use an outhouse.
Sometimes, indoor plumbing came to this part of Georgia much later than most people would guess.
“My grandparents had an outhouse,” Murphy said.
Another highlight is a mounted bobcat named “Bob.”
Other elements of the center focus on northern Georgia’s connection to world events.
Soldiers from northern Georgia have fought in wars all over the world.
The 506th Parachute Infantry trained in northern Georgia before fighting in D-Day, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.
As the center continues to grow and change, new exhibits continue to arrive, Murphy said.
The center is located at 772 Maddox Dr., Suite 126, East Ellijay.
It is open 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays
Entry costs $10 for adults and is free for children under 6 years old.
“You could just see the enjoyment on people’s faces,” Murphy said.