SUNDAY AT THE MUSEUM LECTURE
May 7, 2023 – 2:00 p.m. – Plaza Arts Center Theater
Join us to celebrate Historic Preservation Month!
TOPIC: “ARCHITECTURE IN GEORGIA: A DIAGNOSTIC SAMPLER OF TYPE AND STYLE, 1800 -1940”
SPEAKER: JOE SMITH
May is Historic Preservation Month! Join us for our next lecture on Sunday, May 7.
Speaker: Joe Smith, AIA - Athens-based preservation architect and educator, Joe Smith is the co-founder of Architectural Collaborative in Athens which specializes in the rehabilitation and restoration of historic properties. He has served on Georgia National Register Review Board and teaches courses on American architectural history and the conservation of historic building materials at GSU and UGA.
PAST LECTURES
Sunday at the Museum Lecture Series 2023
Sunday, March 5, 2023
Speaker: Mauriel Joslyn, Award-winning author of both non-fiction and novels, also film writer and college professor
Topic: “Chief Alexander McGillivray” (18th Century Creek Indian Chief)
Background :
Alexander McGillivray, (1750 – 1793), was a Muscogee (Creek) leader. The son of a Muscogee mother and a Scottish father, he was literate and educated, and understood the "white" European world and merchandise trading well. These gave him prestige, especially with European Americans, who were glad to finally find a Creek leader they could talk to and deal with. He used his role as link between the two worlds to his advantage, not always fairly, and became the richest Creek of his time.
We asked Mauriel how she got interested in the history and impact of Chief Alexander McGillivray.
It was a case of "one thing led to another." I think I was researching the Scots in the South, and my Scottish ancestors who came to NC and SC before the Revolutionary War. I was also doing some research on our area for Hancock County.
McGillivray's father was quite an entrepreneur with beginning the trade on the Creek-Georgia frontier. I realized what an impact the European traders had on the Creek Nation, and how the French and Indian War led to the Creeks siding with the British in 1776. It became a Loyalist vs. Patriots with the Indians just as divided. Having sided with the British, the negotiations between Alex McGillivray and the US Government following the war was very much like two nations at odds.
I guess one of the most profound things to say about Alexander McGillivray is that if he had not died so young (43 years old) there is a good chance the Creek Wars of the 1812 period would not have happened. He was so astute, no doubt he would have kept the Creeks united and in good favor with the US government. Who knows, the 1832 Indian Removal Act may not even have happened.”
Join us for this interesting history lesson and stories about the life of Chief Alexander McGillivray. Although Mauriel has not written a book about Alexander McGillivray, the museum team asked her to bring a few copies of her other books to sign and sell.
As always, the museum’s presentations are free, but donations are greatly appreciated. The lecture will take place in The Plaza auditorium.
Please stay to tour the museum and enjoy light refreshments after the lecture.