Bartow History Museum: History of Bartow Carver Park

Description

Learn the History of African American State Parks in Georgia
New Feature Exhibit Opens – History of Bartow Carver Park

On Thursday, February 2, at 7 p.m. the Bartow History Museum welcomes Al Alford of the Georgia State Park system. Alford will present his research on the history of African American Parks in the state of Georgia. The presentation will center on the relationship between African Americans and Georgia State Parks during the era of Jim Crow.

In conjunction with this lecture, the Bartow History Museum announces the opening of its new feature exhibit on the history of Bartow Carver Park, once known as the George Washington Carver State Park. The park, located on Lake Allatoona in southern Bartow County, was established in 1950 by John Atkinson, a former Tuskegee Airman, who became the first African American state park superintendent in the state of Georgia. Known simply as “The Beach” by those who became regular visitors between 1950 and 1975, the park attracted visitors from throughout the southeast.

About the Speaker
Al Alford was born and raised in the small town of Toomsuba, Mississippi. He earned an Associate Art Degree from East Mississippi Community College as well as a BS Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has been employed in the State Park System over 21 years serving in the capacity of Park Ranger at Fort Yargo State Park and Assistant Park Manager at the Bobby Brown State Park. Currently he is the Park Manager of Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park in Reidsville, GA. Prior to working for the Park System he worked in Community Parks and Recreation as a Program Coordinator and Assistant Recreation Director. The lecture is free to members and included with the price of admission for not-yet members. For more information on this and other museum programs, call 770-382-3818, ext. 6288 or visit our website at www.bartowhistorymuseum.org.

About Bartow History Museum
The Bartow History Museum, located at 4 East Church Street in downtown Cartersville, Georgia, documents the history of northwest Georgia’s Bartow County, spanning more than 200 years since the Cherokee were the area’s primary residents. Artifacts, photographs, documents, and a variety of interactive permanent exhibits tell the story of settlement, Cherokee life and removal, Civil War strife, and lifestyles of years past. The Bartow History Museum also provides a variety of educational opportunities for adults, children, families, and school groups. Our extensive archives and research library contains photographs, documents, newspapers, rare books, genealogy records, oral history interviews, and more. For additional information, visit www.bartowhistorymuseum.org.