Georgia Historical Society

Botanicals of the South Family Fun Day

April Family Fun Day highlights Naturalists Bartram, Catesby, and Von Reck

Augusta, Georgia (3/22/09) – The Augusta Museum of History’s 2009 Family Fun Day series continues with Botanicals of the South Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 4, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Families are invited to glimpse the Natural South, learn of William Bartram and how he recorded species of plants, flowers, and trees, discover Baron Von Reck’s voyages through Georgia, and create their own leaf rubbings to take home. 

The film, The Curious Mr. Catesby, will be on view in the History Theater.  The documentary explores the life and works of Mark Catesby, who as an explorer, was the first to conduct a critical study of the lush and varied habitat of North America, particularly the southeast colonies and the environs of the Lowcountry and Piedmont areas.  His meticulous paintings and etchings of birds and plants captured the diverse natural beauty of colonial America 100 years before Audubon.

“Family Fun Days provide visitors with engaging experiences to help them become more informed and involved in the history of the CSRA by building upon the concepts presented in our exhibitions.  These presentations also offer an opportunity to highlight portions of the Museum’s collections our visitors and Museum members may not normally see,” said Heather Sellers, Education Manager. 

Family Fun Days are FREE with regular Museum admission:  $4 for Adults, $3 for Seniors, $2 for Children, and free for members and children under age 5.  For more information about Botanicals of the South Family Fun Day or additional family programming, contact the Museum at (706) 722-8454 or visit www.augustamuseum.org. 

Augusta Museum of History, the only Museum in the CSRA accredited by the American Association of Museums, was established in 1937 for the purpose of preserving and sharing the material history of Augusta and the region.  From a 10,000 year-old projectile point to a 1914 locomotive, the collections chronicle a rich and fascinating past.  The museum is located at 560 Reynolds Street in downtown Augusta.  Please call (706) 722-8454 for more information or visit our website www.augustamuseum.org.

Hours:  Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm; Closed Monday

Admission:  Adult: $4 • Senior: $3 • Child (6-18): $2 • Child (5 & under): Free

The 1797 Ezekiel Harris House¸ said to be “the finest eighteenth-century house surviving in Georgia”, is located at 1822 Broad Street and is an excellent example of early Federal architecture.  Fully restored in 1964 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Ezekiel Harris House is a reminder of the days when tobacco was the primary cash crop of Georgia.  For more information, call (706) 737-2820 or visit www.augustamuseum.org.

Winter Hours: Guided tours by appointment Tuesday – Friday; Saturday 1:00 – 5:00 pm, with the last tour beginning at 4:00 pm; Closed Sunday & Monday. 

Admission: Adult and Senior: $2 • Child: $1