Upcoming 2020 Events
COVID-19 Update: Events have been suspended through March 29, 2020. We miss all our wonderful visitors, please stay in touch through our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/romehistorymuseum.org/
March 14 – The Rome Area History Center invites the public to attend a free event with author Zack Waters who will discuss, “The Last Battle of the Cherokee Artillery” and will sign copies of his book, “The Damnedest Set of Fellows” on Saturday, March 14, from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
“The Damnedest Set of Fellows” tells the story of one of the finest artillery batteries in the Confederate Army of Tennessee. Fighting in almost every major battle in the war’s Western Theater, their first baptism of fire occurred at Tazewell, in East Tennessee. Later, they battled at Champion Hill in the Vicksburg Campaign, at Missionary Ridge and Tunnel Hill near Chattanooga, and throughout the Atlanta Campaign. Later, they fought upon the snowy fields of Nashville, and finally at Salisbury, North Carolina, where they manned their guns despite having no infantry support. Known for their passionate individualism, disdain for army regulations, and their fighting spirit, their battalion commander later wrote: “Every man thinks himself as good as a brigadier general and don’t mind telling you if the occasion offers.” Once, following the Vicksburg campaign, they even defied a direct order from Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
The crucible of war molded the men of the Cherokee Artillery into a true brotherhood. Their annual post-war reunions further strengthened that bond. As a Rebel veteran observed: “It is said with truth that war will bring out the [true] character of a man quicker than anything else. We were fortunate in finding so many good, true men as we had with us…and feel bound to them as with ties of blood.”The Damnedest Set of Fellows” tells the tragic, heroic, story of that true “band of brothers.”
Monthly on the 2nd Tuesday – The monthly “Rome Area History Museum Volunteer Coffee Break” is geared for anyone interested in volunteering at the history museum. New attendees, please RSVP to Selena Tilly at 706-235-8051, selenatilly73@gmail.com
February 17-29 – The League of Women Voters of Rome-Floyd County in partnership with Rome Area History Museum will be hosting the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum’s Traveling Wall, Winning the Vote, and Vintage Suffrage Postcard Exhibit from Monday February 17 to Friday, February 28. The Museum’s traveling wall replicates historical photos and information on display in the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in Adams, Massachusetts. The display is part of a year-long celebration by the League of Women Voters commemorating the Centennial of the founding of the League and the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
While the exhibit is available for viewing during regular business hours, the League will hold an opening reception on February 17th. Opening words are at 5:00 p.m. with refreshments served until 7:00 p.m. All are invited.
February 27 – Join us for a “Lunch and Learn” on Thursday, February 27 at 12 p.m. to celebrate the contribution of black baseball to American history. In partnership with Berry College, guest speaker Larry Lester will speak on the legacy of a sport played in black communities all over the South, including Floyd County. Lester is an author, historian and co-founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. He will facilitate a conversation with locals who played in the league including Butch Haynes from Rome, Georgia who played with the Kansas City Clowns and Eugene Scruggs from Huntsville, Alabama who played for the Kansas City Monarchs and the Detroit Stars. Lunch will be catered by Doug’s Deli. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at: RomeGeorgia.org/LunchandLearn.
This event will be followed with a guest lecture given by Lester at Berry College at 5 p.m. The lecture, “Only the Ball was White” will be held at McAllister Auditorium and commemorates the centennial of professional black baseball in America, marking 100 years since the founding of the Negro National League in February 1920.
March 14 -The public is invited to attend a free event with author Zack Waters who will discuss, “The Last Battle of the Cherokee Artillery” and will sign copies of his book, “The Damnedest Set of Fellows” on Saturday, March 14, from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
“The Damnedest Set of Fellows” tells the story of one of the finest artillery batteries in the Confederate Army of Tennessee. Fighting in almost every major battle in the war’s Western Theater, their first baptism of fire occurred at Tazewell, in East Tennessee. Later, they battled at Champion Hill in the Vicksburg Campaign, at Missionary Ridge and Tunnel Hill near Chattanooga, and throughout the Atlanta Campaign. Later, they fought upon the snowy fields of Nashville, and finally at Salisbury, North Carolina, where they manned their guns despite having no infantry support. Known for their passionate individualism, disdain for army regulations, and their fighting spirit, their battalion commander later wrote: “Every man thinks himself as good as a brigadier general and don’t mind telling you if the occasion offers.” Once, following the Vicksburg campaign, they even defied a direct order from Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The crucible of war molded the men of the Cherokee Artillery into a true brotherhood. Their annual post-war reunions further strengthened that bond. As a Rebel veteran observed: “It is said with truth that war will bring out the [true] character of a man quicker than anything else. We were fortunate in finding so many good, true men as we had with us…and feel bound to them as with ties of blood.”The Damnedest Set of Fellows” tells the tragic, heroic, story of that true “band of brothers.”
The Rome Area History Museum is now managed by the Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. Visitors are invited to learn about Rome’s history from its founding to current day. Guests can also shop the Georgia’s Rome Gift Shop inside the museum and bring home a piece of Rome.