Newnan-Coweta Historical Society

Written by EMILY KIMBELL, director of Newnan-Coweta Historical Society
Photos COURTESY OF NEWNAN-COWEAT HISTORICAL SOCIETY  

This year marks 50 years since the official incorporation of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society (NCHS) on June 29, 1972.

Merely existing this long as an organization is an achievement as data suggests that approximately 30% of nonprofits ceased to exist after 10 years of operation. Our anniversary is particularly significant in that NCHS has reached the official “historic” marker since, in historic preservation thinking, 50 years old is generally the rule of thumb to be considered historic.

Though NCHS has had its fair share of obstacles and challenges throughout its existence, the nonprofit has led the way in terms of preservation and historical education in Coweta County.

Newnan-Coweta Historical Society began in 1971 when a group of citizens met about growing concerns involving development encroaching on historic properties.

The impetus for that first meeting began when the former owners of the Newnan Shopping Center on Greenville Street purchased an old colonial home next to the property and requested rezoning from residential to commercial. Virginia St. John called Jim Hardin on behalf of the Greenville Street Residential Property Owners to request assistance in protesting the development. The concerns of the property owners translated into the development of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society, which would work to preserve historical landmarks of all types, including homes that were and are architectural masterpieces.

The first meeting occurred at the home of Dr. and Mrs. John Wells at 98 Greenville Street. After meeting several times throughout the year in different historic homes, the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society was incorporated on June 29, 1972 with Virginia B. Arnold, Rufus B. Askew, June M. Brewer, Herb Bridges, James O. Hardin Jr., Betty K. Lillie, Bryon H. Mathews Jr., Virginia B. St. John and Patrick H. Yancey Jr. listed as founding members. Herb Bridges was elected to serve as the group's first president.

The Society started operations with high energy. In its first five years of operation, NCHS reprinted Coweta Chronicles, a history of the county originally published in 1927; sponsored and held annual tours of homes; and submitted nominations for the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1977, through the efforts of Georgia Shapiro and other NCHS members, the deteriorating Male Academy, or Male Seminary building, on College Street was identified as being in need of preservation. Through joint efforts of the Historical Society and the City of Newnan, the building was moved back to its original location and restored. It opened in October 1978 as the Male Academy Museum, Newnan’s first museum.

The Historical Society expanded again in the mid-1990s when Robert Hancock and his wife Candy gifted the Historic Train Depot to NCHS. Originally constructed as a freight and passenger depot for the Atlanta & West Point Railroad in the 1850s, the Depot had served as a main hub of transportation for the county for decades. Train service eventually was discontinued, and the building was subsequently used as a seed store and for other businesses. Eventually the building fell into disrepair and the passenger section and freight platform were torn down.

In 2000, NCHS, with support from Representative Lynn Smith, received a grant from the Governor’s Office to restore the building and prepare exhibits to interpret Brown’s Mill Battlefield, site of the only Civil War battle that occurred in Coweta County. The Depot is now utilized as one of the premiere event venue spaces in town.

In 2010, NCHS became the main recipient of funds from Edgar Hollis’ trust in order to create and operate a museum in the benefactor’s name. In May 2013, the McRitchie-Hollis Museum opened on 74 Jackson Street in the Peniston-Arnall-Thomasson home with antiques, Hollis’ book collection, and other 1920s-era decor on display.

Today, NCHS continues to reevaluate its position in the community and strives to keep the history of Newnan and Coweta County at the forefront. The staff is currently undertaking two major projects: transitioning the McRitchie-Hollis Museum from a furniture museum to a local history museum and partnering with the City of Newnan and Explore Newnan-Coweta to rebuild the passenger section of the Historic Train Depot for use as the city’s new welcome center.

Throughout its 50-year history, NCHS has continued to be a leader in the community and a preserver of the county’s local history through exhibits, events and lectures completed through the efforts of countless individuals.

As the Society embarks on both making and preserving history during its next 50 years, the same mission presented to then-Mayor Howard Royal and Newnan City Council on December 7, 1971 still rings true: “We realize that the present time is the correct time to preserve the best of our past looking toward a bright future for Newnan economically, socially and culturally.” NCM