WHAT'S OLD AT THE MUSEUM

from Lake Martin Living Magazine August 2022

FROM THE TEE

STORY & PHOTOS BY MAGGIE GOVE

Sitting in the heart of downtown Dadeville amid a row of gorgeous miniature crepe myrtles, the Tallapoosee Historical Museum is packed full of amazing artifacts representing the history of Tallapoosa County.

Containing so much history and receiving new donations all the time, just one visit to this museum is not enough, said Sharon Gaither, secretary-treasurer of the Tallapoosee Historical Society.

“I still see things I’ve never noticed before,” she said.

The museum houses donated artifacts and documents in two large buildings near the courthouse square.

“There’s a little something in here for everybody,” said Danny Hayes, president of the Tallapoosee Historical Society.

Even the museum’s name is historical. “Tallapoosee” is the name the Creek Nation gave to the area before the territory became part of the State of Alabama. This is one of the many ways the historical society puts focus on the early settlers and citizens of the county, promoting its cultural and historical significance.

There is always something new and exciting going on at the museum. The historical society has been busy with renovations to improve the space and make more room for artifacts. Recent renovations have been concentrated on the side of the museum that used to be the Ben Franklin Dime Store.

“We used to call it the 10-cent store,” Gaither said.

What once was the loading dock for the Ben Franklin Dime Store is now a cozy side patio. The loading dock was crumbling and, so the historical society decided it was time for it to be renovated. It has now been rebuilt with a beautiful stone foundation and stone steps. The patio is lined with an intricately designed iron railing that perfectly follows the curve of the corner. Gaither shared that the next part of the plan is to add a handrail for the steps, followed by a picnic table on the patio. Future renovation plans focus on the backroom, which used to

Rich History

Top: The museum occupies two buildings on North Brodnax St.; Left: Rare books are preserved among the museum collection, like this White House Cookbook

be a stockroom for the store. Museum volunteers would like to transform the room into additional gallery space, allowing them to continue expanding the museum’s exhibits. Because the historical society is a nonprofit organization, it relies on donations and occasional fundraisers to finance these renovations for the museum.

Founded in 1969, the Tallapoosee Historical Society owns and operates the museum with the goal of securing, preserving and permanently displaying historical artifacts from Tallapoosa County. It has approximately 200 members from across the southern region of the United States who support the museum and its preservation efforts. The year the historical society was founded was also the year of Alabama’s 150th birthday.

All those who work at the museum are volunteers.

“We rely on donations and membership dues to support and run the museum,” said Gaither, who along with Hayes and others has volunteered at the museum for years. “We have enjoyed this so much.”

Hayes loves walking people through the museum and listening as they share their stories and the memories sparked by the items they see.

“We can evoke memories,” he said.

The museum is located at 214 N. Broadnax in Dadeville and is open free of charge to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.