Walker County Historical Society

08/25/2026

Walker County Historical Society Minutes
Sunday, August 23, 2026, 3:00 pm
Marsh House Museum

Present: David Boyle, Jennie Chandler, Joy Cleghorn, Jennie Chandler, Anita Colbert, Connie Forester, Ellen Jackson, Allison King, Beth Nayson, Zora Pettyjohn, Jane Shelton, Doug Williams, Willard Williams.

David Boyle presided.

After a welcome and introductions, minutes of last meeting were approved on a motion by Doug Williams (1) and Jane Shelton (2).

Treasurer’s Report by Jennie Chandler was received: Beginning Balance–$7867.67; Deposits--$15.00; Debits–$1250 donation to Museum of La Fayette; Ending Balance–$6634.67

Old Business: Dr. Boyle gave a review of the Georgia Trail of Tears meetingon July 11 at the Martin Davis Museum in Kensington. Jim Ogden, historian at the Chickamauga Park, presented additional background on the forces pushing for removal of the Cherokee, including business and political interest in building railroads through Northwest Georgia and Chattanooga to open up the west to economic development.

New Business: Marsh House Heritage Day on September 19, 10-3. Artists and crafters are invited to set up a tent/table free. There will be a bake sale.

Program: Hannah Gjesteby, President of the Board of the Museum, gave an update on the Museum of La Fayette-Open on Fridays, Saturdays, 10-2:00 with volunteer staff. More volunteers are welcome. There is a website (https://museumoflafayette.org/) and a FaceBook page. The exhibit on the Oothcalooga Moravian Mission among the Cherokee ended August 1. Admission is free, and donations are accepted. The board of that museum is developing an exhibit on local Cherokee heritage, persons, sites, and artifacts. It should open in late September. Items for sharing are welcome at [email protected].

Next meeting: Sunday, September 27, 19th Century Parlor Music featuring our newly restored melodeon and local musicians.

Respectfully submitted,
David Boyle, Secretary Pro Tem

Discover LaFayette's history through exhibits on Native American heritage, the Cherokee Nation, Civil War, and local stories at the Museum of LaFayette.

08/15/2026

The Walker County Historical Society will meet for the regular monthly meeting on Sunday, August 23, 3:00 pm, at the Marsh House, 308 N. Main St., La Fayette, GA 30728. The meeting will be devoted to an update on the new City of La Fayette Museum. The public is invited to come and to bring ideas and to volunteer.
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More information: 706-764-2801

08/05/2026

Next Meeting is on Sunday, August 23 at 3:00 pm. An update on the new Museum of La Fayette at the Chattooga Academy. Everyone welcome.

06/23/2026

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, the monthly meeting of the Walker County Historical Society will be at 3:00 pm at the Marsh House. The program will focus on a prominent Walker County physician, Dr. Jacob Alexander Shields of Villanow/Laf. Mr. Mark Cordle, the G-grandson of Dr. Shields, will give fascinating information on the Shields family and connections to Ireland, colonial Williamsburg, the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and Amelia Earhart, plus service spanning the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War (US & CSA), and World War II. The program is free and open to the public.

More information: 706-764-2801

05/04/2026

Gratefully, we have found the bucket for the old schoolhouse museum in Chattooga Academy, at the new Museum of La Fayette.

05/03/2026

WE need a bucket, and a dipper... for the schoolhouse portion of the new Museum of La Fayette housed in the Chattooga Academy. Anybody got one? I visualize a wooden bucket and a gourd dipper, but the school was operating until 1920 or so... Maybe a metal bucket would do.

Thanks.
David Boyle