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Athens Historical Society collection

 Collection
Collection number: MSS-062

Scope and Contents

Copies of older issues of the Society’s newsletter have been transferred from the Heritage Room periodicals stacks to this collection. A complete set of the Athens Historian, from its inception in 1996 through 2021, has been placed here as well, in addition to copies of the Papers of the Athens Historical Society and copies of a few membership directories.

The following issues of the Historical Society newsletter are included: March 1963; May 1964; March 1967; April 1967; May 1967; October 1967; January 1968; March 1968; May 1968; October 1968; November 1968; Feb. 1969; March 1969; May 1969; October 1969; January 1970; February 1970; July 1970; October 1970; March 1971; May 1971.

The final folder includes materials from the celebration held on February 5, 2023, at the Athens-Clarke County Library in honor of Mary Warren, who passed in 2021. The Historical Society co-sponsored the event. Included are the copies of the hand-outs available at the event as well as the guest book and a sheet of paper on which attendees documented memories of Warren.

Dates

  • 1963-2017

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

This collection has no restrictions. This collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required. Apply in the Heritage Room for access.

Biographical / Historical

The Athens Historical Society was founded in February 1899 at the behest of Augustus (“Gus”) Longstreet Hull (1847-1909) along with twenty other community members. The goal of the society as founded was to preserve and document the history of Athens. Gus Hull served as the organization’s first president. Hull was the author and editor of numerous books on Athens, but his most well-known work is Annals of Athens, Georgia, 1801-1901, which was published in 1906. This version of the Society seemed to be active for only about a year.

Revived in 1959, the current Athens Historical Society holds quarterly meetings and other events and has published periodicals, books, maps, and videos. Its events often take place at the Athens-Clarke County Library. The Society also sponsors on-site visits to historic properties around the region and hosts social gatherings during the year. In 1989, the Society attained formal non-profit corporate status. A thorough account of the organization’s history can be gleaned from its official papers, held at the Hargrett library, as well as a brief history found at their website.

Extent

.63 Linear Feet (One full letter document box (temporarily shared with MSS 062) and one half legal document box)

Overview

Periodicals and other publications of the Athens Historical Society.

Arrangement

The collection is organized in a single series.

Related Materials

All issues of the Athens Historian (some in the periodicals stacks, others in bound volumes catalogued with other books of local interest) and both volumes of the Papers of the Athens Historical Society (also catalogued) are also available in the Heritage Room.

Athens Historical Society Papers, MSS 2306, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries

Bibliography

Kitchens, Michael W. “History of Society.” :: Athens Historical Society - History of Society, 2015. www.athenshistorical.org/history-of-society
  • www.athenshistorical.org/history-of-society
Title
Athens Historical Society collection
Author
Mikaela LaFave, Justin Kau
Date
January 2020
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Heritage Room, Athens-Clarke County Library Repository

Contact:
2025 Baxter Street
Athens GA 30606