Confederate History and Heritage Month April is Confederate History and Heritage Month as proclaimed by Governor Perdue

Governor’s Proclamation  WHEREAS: April is the month in which the Confederate States of America began and ended a four-year conflict in the Civil War. Confederate Memorial Day on April 26 is a time when Georgians honor the more than 90,000 brave men and women who served the Confederate States of America; and  WHEREAS: Georgia joined the Confederacy in January 1861 when a convention ratified the ordinance of secession, and Georgia has long cherished her Confederate history and the great leaders who made sacrifices on her behalf; and  WHEREAS: One of the many Confederate soldiers who made a significant contribution to the state was John Pemberton, who rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Third Georgia Cavalry Battalion. After the war, Dr. Pemberton went on to develop what we know today as Coca-Cola, and his efforts aided significantly in the economic and cultural development of the city of Atlanta as well as the State of Georgia; and  WHEREAS: It is important that Georgians reflect upon our State’s past and honor and respect the devotion of her Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens; and  THEREFORE: I, SONNY PERDUE, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim April 2006 as CONFEDERATE HISTORY MONTH in Georgia and encourage our citizens to learn about Georgia’s heritage and history.  In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand six.

Georgia’s Heritage Tourism  Georgia is rich with museums, battlefields, and attractions pertaining to the War Between the States. This is a showcase of just a few places in the state pertaining to this period of time. Hopefully you are able to go to at least one site before the end of the year.

Stone Mountain Memorial Park  Home of the largest Confederate memorial in the world, displaying CSA President Davis, General Lee and General Jackson on horseback. Family attractions are offered year round.

Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum  This is the largest painting of the Battle of Atlanta in the world and boasts as being “the longest running show in the United Sates” since it opened in The Texas of the Great Locomotive Chase is housed here along with many artifacts.

Atlanta History Center  The Turning Point is one of the nation’s largest exhibits about the War Between the States. There are 1,400 objects displayed with interactive videos and computers to help you interpret what you are viewing.

Fort Pulaski  Just outside of Savannah, this National park gives an interpretation of the battle that led to the capture of the fort by the Union and then the prison camp it became for Confederate officers who were known as the Immortal 600.

Battle of Chickamauga  A National Military Park, Chickamauga offers a 7 self-mile guided auto tour of monuments and historic tablets. The Visitors’ Center offers exhibits and a multi- media presentation

Fort McAllister  A State Historic Park that is home of the best preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. The sand and mud earthworks were attacked seven times by Union ironclads, but did not fall until captured in 1864 by Gen. William T. Sherman during his famous March to the Sea.

Andersonville Home of a Union prisoner of war camp, Fort Sumter, this location offers you a sleepy town to explorer and learn more about Capt. Henry Wirz. A museum for POWs of all wars is located inside Fort Sumter that depicts the hardships they faced.

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain  A National Battlefield where over 67,000 men were killed, wounded or captured. Walking trails allow you to see historic earthworks, cannons, and memorials. The Visitor Center offers exhibits of the battle

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History Housing the General from the Great Locomotive Chase, this museum offers a variety of exhibits, from the railroads during the War Between the States to the actual assembly of a train.

Oakland Cemetery This 19th Century cemetery is the burial place of William Fuller, John B. Gordon, Margaret Mitchell, and many other noted people during the War Between the States. The Lion of Oakland is a monument to the unknown Confederate dead in Oakland.

Port Columbus Naval Museum  A visit allows visitors to place their feet in the shoes of those who made history in the sea services of the Union and Confederate Navies during the Civil War. Original Confederate warships are in the collection, some of the rarest and most significant artifacts in the nation, and reconstructed ships.

Liberty Hall Located in Crawfordville, this is the home of the Vice-President of the Confederate States of America and former Governor of Georgia, Alexander A. Stephens. Adjacent to the home is the Confederate Museum that displays muskets, swords, diaries, and many other items.

Robert Toomb’s Home  This home of Robert Toombs, a state legislator, U.S. Congressman and Senator, Brigadier General for the Confederacy, offers many different interactive exhibits for visitors.

Confederate Powder Works  In Augusta, this chimney is all that is left of the powder factory. This was the second largest factory for the South providing 2,750,00 ponds of powder during its three years of existence.

Roswell Mills  The remains of mill burned by orders given by Sherman is all that remains. At this location, workers from this mill, women and children, were charged with treason and sent to Kentucky. Few were ever heard of again. There is a monument to their memory in downtown Roswell.

Battle of Pickett’s Mill  One of the best preserved battlefields in the nations, this Visitors’ Center offers a video and an interactive museum of the battle and the Atlanta Campaign. Trails are available to follow the actual battle paths.

Nash Farm Battlefield  This battlefield saw the largest cavalry action in Georgia. It has been recently purchased to be preserved by Henry County. The dedication is August 20, 2006 and free to the public.