05/29/2026
Good afternoon, Cedartown!
We know we're a little late sharing this news; however, it perfectly reflects the message we wanted to share with you today.
As May winds down (and man, has it been a busy one) the celebration of National Historic Preservation Month is also coming to a close.
Earlier this month, we honored a group of dedicated community leaders who work year-round, not just in May, to preserve and present Cedartown's rich local history.
Our commissioners invited members of the Polk County Historical Society to the May City Commission meeting for the official proclamation of Historic Preservation Month. We especially wanted to recognize the efforts of Arleigh Johnson, Museum Director of the Polk County Historical Society, along with PCHS President Roger Landrum, President-Elect Phillip Gammage, and Treasurer Anne Clay.
This group, along with countless other PCHS members and volunteers, is dedicated to preserving history, instilling a sense of nostalgic pride in our community, and inspiring younger generations to take an interest in their heritage.
Through events and initiatives ranging from grave marker cleanings to local author book signings, the Historical Society continually looks for ways to engage residents in local history and culture.
Here's one example local parents might be interested in. PCHS will host a series of events called Colonial Fridays from June 19 through July 24. This free weekly story time and activity event will take place on Fridays at 2 p.m. and is open to children and families. (You can learn more about this event and others by following the Polk County Historical Society on Facebook.)
The proclamation issued by the commission reads in part:
“Not only are historic sites worth preserving, but the stories behind them are equally important. Whether those stories are found in archives or artifacts, peeling back the layers of time helps us better understand the past. Preserving these stories provides a rich and lively history of the people who lived and worked here, helping us imagine their hardships, triumphs, and the difficult decisions they faced in times of adversity.
Education is essential to preserving our history, and citizens are encouraged to learn more about their community, volunteer, join organizations that support historic preservation, explore parts of their city they may have never seen before, and talk to people in historic neighborhoods.”
The Polk County Historical Society and Museum could not agree more — and they invite you to visit anytime the doors are open!
If this inspires you to learn more about Cedartown’s history and preservation efforts, we encourage you to stop by the museum sometime. Located just steps away from the historic Post Office and West Cinema at 117 West Avenue, the museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Photo: PCHS President Elect Phillip Gammage, City Commission Chair Sam Branch, PCHS Museum Director Arleigh Johnson, PCHS President Roger Landrum and PCHS Treasurer Anne Clay.)
