History in the Wiregrass conference

If you enjoy local history and genealogy, you don’t want to miss the History in the Wiregrass conference, to be held in the Old Courtroom of Tattnall County Courthouse June 16 from 9-4 p.m. It is sponsored by the Tattnall Archives and this year’s theme is “A Sense of Place.”
The day is full of talks from experts in local culture. Robert S. Davis of Alabama will talk about Georgia’s research libraries. Dr. Davis is the director of the Family and Regional History Program at Wallace State College. He has more than 1,000 publications in genealogy, history, and records. Among his most popular are The Georgia Black Book: Morbid, Macabre, and Sometimes Disgusting Records of Genealogical Value and Georgia Citizens and Soldiers of the American Revolution.
Cal Avery, known as The Barnhunter, of Swainsboro, will show photographs of Barns of the Wiregrass. Skip Skinner of Ailey will talk about Midway Church. Pharris Johnson of Bellville will give a presentation on houses of heart pine, about the historic architecture of the area. Scotty Scott will do a presentation on the Salzburgers. Judge Tony Thompson of Metter will talk about early history of Tattnall. Author Janisse Ray will present a talk on life in the pine flatwoods.
An addition this year will be a Genealogy and History Panel, where you will have a chance to ask questions of four experts, including Mark Baxter of Macon, scholar of the Revolutionary era.
Converse with other history buffs, enjoy a wonderful, old-fashioned, hot dinner catered at noon by Grandma Wanda’s Kitchen Table, and peruse the pop-up store of history books. In conjunction, the Archives will be open for extended hours on Friday and tours are available.
Cost for the day is $40, or $30 for Archives donors and fulltime students. Two full scholarships will be available.
Register online at tattnallarchives.org or send registration fee to Tattnall County Archives, c/o Tattnall County Commissioners, P.O. Box 25, Reidsville, GA 30453. Include full contact information. Email wildfire1491@yahoo.com for more information.