Winter 2014 15 THE SOUTHERN MUSEUM Vol. XI, No. 3 THE TELEGRAPH News & Events from the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History In This Issue From the Executive Director... 2 Curator s Column... 3 Archival Articles... 4 Mommy and Me Calendar... 5 Education News... 6 Photo Gallery... 7 in Association with the Smithsonian Institution The Southern Museum Gears Up for Trains, Trains, Trains on January 24 The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History will host its fifth annual Trains, Trains, Trains event on Saturday, January 24, 2015. This year, the special railroad-themed event will be more family-friendly than ever before! Trains, Trains, Trains will include new layouts and activities, as well as an expanded version of the Museum gift shop that will offer guests an even larger array of train and railroad items made especially for kids. Trains, Trains, Trains is the Museum s most popular annual event, and this year our staff has been gearing up for what is sure to be our largest turnout yet, said Dr. Richard Banz, the Museum s executive director. We are proud to host an event where families can make memories that will last a lifetime, he adds. As guests navigate the Museum and discover new layouts, they will be able to interact and operate some of them by turning transformer throttles, pulling levers or pressing buttons. Featured in the Museum s large Cobb Energy Gallery, North Georgia Modurail will set up the largest layout ever showcased at Trains, Trains, Trains, filling the 3,600 square foot space. This impressive track allows visitors to view each model train on the layout from any angle. North Georgia Modurail s HO layout excites spectators each year, and with new recent additions and changes, guests are sure to see something they have never seen before. With the expansion of hands-on activities for all ages, kids will be able to take part in a new and enjoyable take-home craft. Adding to the excitement, railroad artifacts will be on display for visitors to hold, touch, and discover how they are used. Guests can stop by the always popular General Emporium Gift Shop to pick up the latest and greatest train gadgets and toys, selected especially for kids. Make sure to join The Southern Museum this year for a bigger and better Trains, Trains, Trains!
From the Executive Director Richard Banz, D.Ed. The 2014-15 Fiscal year promises to be a dynamic one. In addition to our annual fundraising efforts to cover normal operating expenses, we are preparing for two exciting projects. These include construction of the Railroad Education Center Library and Archives (or Research Center ) and a partnership with the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum for an exhibition on Leo Frank and Mary Phagan. On September 26, a groundbreaking ceremony took place for the Research Center. Since then, the area has been excavated and construction has started. The building was designed by Croft & Associates and is being constructed by Prime Contractors, both of which are Cobb County firms. The 8,700-squarefoot facility will house an expanding assortment of Civil War items, Southern Railroad materials, and other regional railroad collections that will serve as a national destination for historic and educational researchers. Completion of the facility is expected in March 2015. While we have the necessary $1.1 million to complete construction of the Research Center, funding is still needed for interior furnishings, map drawers, and archival shelving. The names of all donors contributing $1,000 will receive a Heritage Club membership and will be permanently recognized inside the new center. Higher levels of giving are also available. Please consider donating to this worthy endeavor. One hundred years ago, Georgia and the nation were focused on the events surrounding the death of 13-yearold Mary Phagan and her accused killer Leo Frank. Mary was last seen at the National Pencil Company of Atlanta where Frank, who was Jewish, served as superintendent. In a highly publicized and controversial trial, Frank was found guilty. When his execution was stayed by Governor John Slaton, a Cobb County mob stormed the Milledgeville prison and transported Frank to Marietta where he was lynched after sunrise. None of the participants were ever brought to justice. Realizing the impact of the events surrounding Mary Phagan and Leo Frank on the Cobb County and Atlanta communities; the Breman and Southern Museum have agreed to partner to bring Seeking Justice Through Dialogue: Leo Frank Mary Phagan 100 Years Later to Kennesaw for the summer of 2015, the 100th anniversary of Leo Frank s lynching. This partnership and exhibition will serve to provoke thought and to spark dialogue on events that despite having occurred a century ago are still very relevant today. A full slate of educational programs along with other details concerning Seeking Justice will be announced in 2015. See you at the Museum! Special thank you to our sponsor, CSX! 2
CURATOR S COLUMN by Jonathan Scott Collecting the Life s Work of Colonel James Bogle With the change of seasons upon us, the coming of fall is a good time to take stock of the year now sliding past. 2014 saw the Southern Museum open a major exhibition commemorating the year 1864 and receive a Medal of Honor belonging to Wilson Brown, one of the men that stole the General. In addition to these landmark events, the Southern Museum also received one of the most significant collections related to that engine and the Great Locomotive Chase that of the late Colonel James G. Bogle. To call the addition of Colonel Bogle s collection to the Southern Museum significant would be an understatement. Before, during, and after more than three decades of Army service, Colonel Bogle pursued an interest in the General and southeastern railroads by collecting documents, art, artifacts, and memorabilia relating to these subjects. This included original drawings by Wilbur Kurtz, signage from railcars and depots that served southeastern railroads, and a piece of Civil Warera rail from the Western & Atlantic Railroad rail almost certainly traveled on by the General the day of the Great Locomotive Chase. In addition, Colonel Bogle even managed to collect several pieces of the General itself which were removed during the engine s restoration in the 1960s; the addition of these pieces to the collection means that, curiously enough, the Southern Museum is now home to more of the famous locomotive than at any time before! When collections like those of Colonel James Bogle come to the Southern Museum, the benefit is to both today s public and future generations. The extensive nature of his collection has already let us tell the story of the General in more detailed and engaging ways than was previously possible. The Colonel Bogle Collection, donated by his children Alice and James Jr. in their father s memory, has helped bring this man s passion to the masses and given the world a very public look at his dedicated study of the past. If you have an object or collection that you would consider donating, we would love to hear from you! As seen in the case of Colonel Bogle, artifact donations are a unique and memorable way to honor a loved one; in addition, the monetary value of a donation is tax-deductible. Please call 770.427.2117, ext. 3180 or email collections@southernmuseum.org if you d like to know more. Thank you very much for your continued support! 3
ARCHIVAL ARTICLES by Sallie Loy Southern Railway Historical Association Adds Value to Southern Museum Collections The Southern Museum Archives and Library continue to grow with new collections from the Southern Railway Historical Association (SRHA) and its members. The SRHA recently acquired the extensive photograph collections of Ben Roberts and Marvin Black. Both Mr. Roberts and Mr. Black were prolific at documenting early steam and diesel locomotives, box, hopper, mail, passenger cars, cabooses, railroad structures, rail yards, tunnels, bridges, and equipment. Other donations from SRHA members include the Rick Bell Collection of 1912 Valuation of The Brinson Railway Company of Georgia book; R.E. Fisher Collection of Central of Georgia boxcar photos and negatives, 1958 Norfolk Southern Railway Company Annual Report, National Railroad Transportation Accident Reports, Southern Railway photographs and design specifications, and Southern Railway Derrick Diagrams; the Charlie Powell Collection consists of his draft of Best Friend of Charleston history, 1919 era Southern Railway drawings and maps, and three Southern Railway logos; Russell Tedder Collection of photographs of Southern Railway Diesel Engines and passenger timetables; the Hubert L. Rose Collection of 1999 North Carolina Railroad Agreement, Dispatcher s Record of Movement of Trains on the NO&NE Railroad, Southern Railway Book of Curves and Rule Books; the Stephan Warner Collection of Southern Railway photographs and scrapbook. Generous donations by SRHA, its members, and other donors allow the Southern Museum Archives & Library to be the world class archives it has become in its short 11 year existence! Bogle Birthday Bash On the afternoon of Sunday, September 21, a celebration was held in honor of what would have been Colonel Bogle s 99th birthday. We all gathered around the underpass to hear Mayor Mathews give a speech about the Colonel and his love of the General, Great Locomotive Chase story and for the Southern Museum. Then all proceeded to the Museum to listen to Executive Director, Dr. Richard Banz and to hear Joe Bozeman introduce the Colonel s daughter, Alice Bogle Lyons and her husband Steve. Mr. Bozeman then asked Mrs. Lyons to do the honors of ringing the General s bell three times. Those of us who knew the Colonel well knew that the he was smiling down on us. After this we all went to the Depot to enjoy refreshments and talk with friends and new acquaintances alike. Thanks to our sponsor Joe Bozeman and the efforts of Councilmember Debra Williams the afternoon was enjoyed by all that attended. What a nice tribute to honor such a great man who gave so much to all of us and served our country well. 4
MOMMY AND ME CALENDAR November... 6 13 20 27 The First Americans Salute to Soldiers Thanksgiving Time No Mommy & Me Thanksgiving holiday December... 4 11 18 25 No Mommy & Me Polar Express special event Once Upon a Time Animals Aboard! No Mommy & Me December holidays January... 1 8 15 22 29 No Mommy & Me New Year s Day holiday A Child s Day at Work and Play Welcome Winter! No Mommy & Me Preparation for Trains, Trains, Trains special event Wild about Winter Animals February... March... 5 12 19 26 5 12 19 26 Build-A-Train Be Mine! I ve Been Working on the Railroad Building Big! I Think I Can, I Think I Can Shamrock Shenanigans All Things Trains Food, Glorious Food! 5
EDUCATION NEWS Hello! My name is Sara Wilson and I just recently joined the Museum staff as the Events Coordinator. I grew up in Kennesaw, graduated from Kennesaw State University, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to now work here at the Southern Museum! I m excited about the future possibilities for events at the Museum. My background is in Communications-Public Relations and I come to the Museum with four years experience in event planning and marketing. I look forward to meeting all of you at our events. Our next event, Polar Express Adventure, is taking place on December 6, 2014 from 5-9pm at the Museum. We will have a hobo and a conductor for everyone to meet as well as an opportunity for crafts. Of course, Santa will also be here with his elves to help celebrate the arrival of the holiday season! We will serve hot chocolate and light refreshments and have a holiday-themed model train layout on display during the event. For more information on the event and tickets, please visit our website: SouthernMuseum.org. Hope to see you there! The Southern Museum Remembers Charlie Bell Here at the Southern Museum, we value and treasure each individual volunteer, which is why the news of Charlie Bell s passing on July 25, 2014 weighed heavily on our hearts. In memory of Charlie and his love for the Museum, the family was generous enough to have all donations in his name be made to the Southern Museum. We are so grateful they chose to honor his memory in that way, and we will continue to remember Charlie and his passion for the Museum. Each and every one of our volunteers are like family and we are so thankful for their service and dedication to the Museum, said Executive Director Dr. Richard Banz. Our success would not be possible without the help of this special group of people, he adds. We were also saddened to hear of the recent passing of long-standing member and former trustee John Thompson (1928-2014). We will always be thankful for his support. 6
PHOTO GALLERY (Above) Mr. Robert Ellison, Mayor Mark Mathews, Foundation President Paul Chastain, Dr. Richard Banz and Mr. George Eichelberger (Above) Starting line at Great Locomotive Chase 5K (Above) Railroad Rendezvous guests enjoy Operation Lifesaver train simulator (Above) Young visitor shows off the bindle sack she made at Railroad Rendezvous 7
Kennesaw Museum Foundation P.O. Box 846 Kennesaw, Georgia 30156 phone: 770.427.2117 fax: 770.421.8485 NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID KENNESAW. GA PERMIT NO. 39 SAVE THE DATE! TRAINS, TRAINS, TRAINS! JAN. 24, 2015 9:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. A family friendly event. Fun for kids of all ages! SouthernMuseum.org