Southern Museum to commemorate Sesquicentennial of Atlanta Campaign,


Sherman’s March

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History will commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Atlanta Campaign and the final full year of the Civil War with a series of special exhibits and events. 

From May 3 until July 20, precisely 150 years after Union troops under Gen. William T. Sherman wreaked havoc on the North Georgia landscape, the Southern Museum will host its “1864” exhibit. 

The exhibit, complete with letters, artifacts and photographs, examines how warfare changed from the strategy and tactics to its effect on soldiers and civilians alike. On Fridays through Sundays during the duration of the exhibit, Southern Museum staff will offer interpretive programs aimed at bringing the exhibit to life. “By early 1864, how soldiers fought in battle was rapidly changing as strategy, tactics and weapons improved,” said Dr. Richard Banz, executive director of the Southern Museum. “Residents of north Georgia had yet to fully feel the impact of the war that had been raging for nearly three years. “Sherman’s March devastated parts of Georgia’s landscape and left some citizens barely able to survive,” Banz said. “Our hope is that guests will have a better understating of how the war impacted the lives of not just the soldiers doing the fighting, but also the residents forced to grapple with its consequences on the home front.” Artifacts that will help tell the story include the snare drum and equipment used in Big Shanty by Pvt. Jesse Thornburgh (39th Iowa); letters from Capt. George Hudson (36th Georgia); letters and receipts from Union soldiers stationed in Big Shanty; and original ambrotypes of two brothers who served in the 7th New Hampshire. The special exhibit will also feature a number of weapons, including muzzle loading rifles and repeating carbines.

Kennesaw, known as Big Shanty during the Civil War, witnessed two battles during 1864 and three separate occupations by Union and Confederate troops.

Southern Museum members will have an opportunity to preview the exhibit a day before it is opened to the public. Wayne Motts, director of the National Civil War Museum, will deliver a lecture during a special members-only event on May 2.

The new “1864” exhibit is just one event on the Museum’s packed 2014 calendar of events. 

On June 26, the Civil War 150th Historymobile will visit the museum. The Virginia-based exhibit uses state-of-the-art technology and immersive exhibits to present individual stories from the perspectives of soldiers who endured the Civil War. On July 26, the Southern Museum will host its second annual Railroad Rendezvous. The family friendly event, scheduled from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., will feature a range of indoor and outdoor events, including live music, operating model train layouts and a hobo jungle where re-enactors will offer tales about life on the rails, teach guests the hobo language and help visitors make their own Bindle sack. During Railroad Rendezvous , guests will also have the rare chance to climb aboard the General locomotive. On Dec. 6, the Southern Museum will host its popular Polar Express Adventure. The special holiday event, scheduled from 5:30-9:30 p.m., follows the City of Kennesaw’s annual Christmas celebration, parade and tree lighting ceremony.Museum admission is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $5.50 for children ages 4-12 and free for children three and under as well as Museum members; coupons and discounts will not be accepted on the day of the event. The Museum is located at 2829 Cherokee Street in downtown Kennesaw (exit 273 on Interstate 75).

For more information, call (770) 427-2117 ext. 3058, visit southernmuseum.org or follow the Museum atfacebook.com/southernmuseum.