Chris writes in…

If you would like to help place flags and/or flowers on the graves or memorials in the Decatur Cemetery for those who were killed while serving in the military as part of your Memorial Day Weekend activities, please contact Chris Billingsley at [email protected] . You can also show up for any of the following:

Thursday, May 26, 6:00 P.M. Place Flags On Graves- Meet at the Veteran’s Rock in the new cemetery (enter Church Street gate).
Sunday, May 29, 6:00 P.M. Place Flowers On Graves- Meet at same location described above, Veteran’s Rock.
Monday, May 30, 5:00 P.M.- Brief Remembrance Ceremony. Afterwards we will pick up all flags and flowers from graves.

Head over to the Old DeKalb Courthouse on Tuesday, January 19th and learn about one of Decatur’s most transient buildings, the Swanton House!  If you’ve ever wondered why Swanton Way in downtown Decatur is so far removed from the house that also bears its name, this will be the lunch and learn for you!

From the DeKalb History Center…

DECATUR – The January Lunch & Learn presented by our archivist Fred Mobley will chronicle the various plans for historic restoration that were developed and considered for the Swanton House in the early 1960s until the dedication ceremonies on December 10th, 1972.  Come learn the fascinating history of this house including the various concepts that were up for consideration.  and the final results reflecting not only on the practices of historic preservation of that period but the forces at play in the cultural landscape that landed the Historic Swanton House where it sits today.

The Benjamin Swanton House is one of the oldest structures still standing in Decatur – it has a log cabin as its core estimated to have been built about 1825.  The house was enlarged and updated throughout its long history, each change reflecting the popular trends of the times.

Utilizing his Master in Heritage Preservation and educational experience gained at the Jefferson Monticello Historic Landscape Institute, and the Georgia Historic Landscape Initiative Fellowship at the Cherokee Garden Library of the Atlanta History Center, Mobley will use resource materials from the DHC Archives to show the house’s changing history. Mobley received his Master in Heritage Preservation-Public History Track from Georgia State University in August 2010.

Free!  Bring your lunch.

Tuesday, January 19, Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur GA 30030, Second Floor, Superior Courtroom

Love this old 1965 photo of the Swanton House provided by the DeKalb History Center.  This is while it still sat in downtown Decatur.

From the DeKalb History Center…

Our next Lunch and Learn will be presented by Cathy Vogel who will share stories from the historic Decatur Cemetery; the oldest burial ground in the Atlanta metropolitan area. It dates to 1823 and today encompasses about 58 acres and over 20,000 graves. A portion of the cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes a number of locally important graves including Mary Ann Harris Gay (1828–1918); Dr. Thomas Holly Chivers (1806–1858); Col. Milton A Candler (1837–1909); and Col. George Washington Scott (1829–1903). There are also three veterans of the American Revolution and numerous orphans buried there.

Founded in 1993, The Friends of Decatur Cemetery is a group of citizens devoted to supporting the historic cemetery. These volunteers advocate for the continued preservation and improvement of this gorgeous property. They have produced a walking tour brochure highlighting 40 grave sites.

Vogel is a former DeKalb History Center board member, one of founding members of Friends of Decatur Cemetery and the originator of Second Sunday Strolls through the cemetery. She also volunteers at Oakland Cemetery, the Fox Theatre and the Atlanta History Center.

Free!  Bring your lunch.

Tuesday, November 17, Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur GA 30030, Second Floor, Superior Courtroom

Photo caption: Thomas Holley Chivers is remembered most for his tumultuous friendship with Edgar Allen Poe and their similar poetic style. His first burial site was at the foot of the front steps to his Decatur home called Villa Allegra.  Shortly afterwards his remains were moved to the Decatur Cemetery marked with the draped urn as shown in the circa 1940s picture from the DHC Archives. 

For all you lovers of Suburban Lanes, you can now purchase a piece of it for your home!  From Craigslist…

Vintage bowling alley seats. Molded fiberglass/plastic with solid steel bases. These would be great for a small dining area, or would sell as the lot if you wanted the classic look and feel for that restaurant you’re planning to open when you retire. Singles ($20)or Doubles ($40). Other seats available including stackable metal/plastic, assorted others.

It’s the Yankee Stadium of Decatur!

Photo courtesy of Craigslist

From the DeKalb History Center…

The DeKalb History Center will present a Civil War symposium on July 11 with a series of events and presentations lasting from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The focus of the day’s activities will be on people and events in and around Atlanta and DeKalb County during the war. Events include a walking tour, lectures, a panel discussion, lunch, a play and an optional bus tour. History Center programming and preservation coordinator JennyGoldemund said “This is a ‘can’t miss’ event for those interested in the history of the Civil War in our area.”

The schedule for the day begins at 9 am with a Civil War walking tour of downtown Decatur followed at 10 am by a presentation by Gordon Jones of the Atlanta History Center entitled The Battles In and Around Atlanta. At 11 a.m. Robert A. Pratt of the University of Georgia will present The Fate of the Freedmen. The 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. segments are both free and sponsored by the Georgia Humanities Council.

Lunch and a panel discussion with Pratt, Jones and Will Bryant from The Battle of Atlanta Commemorative Organization (B’ATL) will begin at noon. Lunch will be provided by Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q and will be followed at 1 p.m. with a production of Shadows of the Past, a play about the Civil War in DeKalb County

From 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. there will be guided bus tours of the front lines of the war in DeKalb County by B’ATL (The Battle of Atlanta Commemorative Organization). There is a $15 charge for the bus tour; advance reservations are required.

Advance paid reservations include all events except the bus tour. The advanced reservation price is $35 per person for members of DeKalb History Center and $40 for non-members. The bus tour is an additional $15 per person. Walk up tickets are $60 per person and do not include the bus tour.

For additional information or to register by phone call (404) 373-1088, ext. 20 or visit www.dekalbhistory.org

Photo courtesy of DeKalb History Center’s Facebook Page

We spend a good amount of time here talking about favorite outdoor spaces, but what about your favorite interior spaces?

Inspired by this “12 Buildings To See In New York Before You Die” post, I am curious to hear about your favorite interior spaces in Decatur and Atlanta.

One of my favs – the Healey Building in Downtown Atlanta – is above.

Photo of interior of Healey Building by Eoghanacht via  Wikimedia Commons

Decatur Cemetery, Decatur GA (photo courtesy of Chris)