This past week a new exhibit opened at the DeKalb History Center to celebrate 200 years for DeKalb County. I was fortunate to attend the opening night event, a “Birthday Bash” for DeKalb County complete with birthday cake and the opening of a 1997 time capsule held at the DHC home in the historic DeKalb Courthouse at 101 E. Court Square in Decatur.
Among the items in the 25 year old time capsule were a Waffle House menu, Atlanta Olympics 1996 t-shirts, a “Help Save the Historic Dunwoody Farmhouse” bumper sticker from the Dunwoody Preservation Trust 1994 campaign, and the manuscript of Vivian Price’s book, “History of DeKalb County.” Many other items were included in the time capsule sealed in 1997. Price was there when the capsule was sealed, as well as Atlanta historian Franklin Garrett.
Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb at the time, Liane Levetan, was also there and said she hoped the items “will be treasured antiques 25 years from now, that will represent a snapshot of county history from this moment in time.” (Atlanta Constitution, Dec. 10, 1997, DeKalb Celebrates 175th anniversary”)
The DHC bicentennial exhibit begins with the indigenous people who lived in DeKalb County and includes a 1799 map showing the trails and paths of the Cherokee and Creek who lived in the province of Georgia at that time. People of significance through the years in DeKalb are highlighted in the exhibit, such as Narvie Jordan Harris, Manuel Maloof, Hosea Williams, and Judge Clarence Seeliger.
The changes through the years for DeKalb include the construction of World War I Camp Gordon in Chamblee, growth of the county, transportation changes, and DeKalb becoming the dairy center of Georgia.
Jars of collected soil donated by the NAACP of DeKalb County in conjunction with the Equal Justice Initiative are displayed to remember and learn from the horrific history of documented lynchings in DeKalb County. Reuben Hudson in 1887 and two unknown Black men in 1892 were lynched by angry mobs, despite their pleas of innocence. Those who participated in the lynchings were not held accountable. Read more here about the history and the historical marker placed at DeKalb County City Hall.
The bicentennial exhibit, as well as other exhibits, are open Monday through Friday 10:00 am until 4:00 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Other exhibits currently on display at the old courthouse are “The Haven of Health and Happiness,” a history of Avondale Estates, “Deep Roots in DeKalb: The Flat Rock Story of Resilience,” the history of one of the oldest African American communities in Georgia, and an exhibit of DeKalb decorative arts. Read more about these exhibits at the DHC website.
There is no admission fee for these exhibits, but donations are appreciated or become a member and always know what is coming up at the DeKalb History Center.