The Georgia Historical Society is holding the Georgia History Festival from Monday, February 2 through Wednesday, February 18 at multiple locations across the state. The featured historical figure for the festival this year is Hernando de Soto in observance of the 475th anniversary of his journey in Georgia. The festival will kick off in Atlanta on Monday, February 2 in the south wing of the Capitol at 11:00 a.m. with a James Edward Oglethrope interpreter. Several events of interest to SGA members will be held in the weeks to follow, and we have highlighted a few here.

The keynote address for the festival will feature Dr. Dennis Blanton who will discuss his work pertaining to the route the De Soto expedition followed in Georgia based on excavations at a site in Telfair County. The address, entitled “Hernando de Soto’s Legacy in Georgia, From Capachequi to Coosa” will take place on Thursday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah. The event is free and open to the public. Directions to the Coastal Georgia Center

The Colonial Faire and Muster will be held at Wormsloe State Historic Site in Savannah on February 6-8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event brings the colonial period to life through demonstrations of cooking and crafts, cannon firings, and music and dance. This event is free and open to the public. Information about Wormsloe is available on the GA DNR State Parks and Historic Sites webpage.Wormsloe State Historic Site

On Sunday, February 8 from 12:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. there will be over 40 destinations that will be free and open to the public. Super Museum Sunday includes cultural institutions, historic sites, house museums, art museums, and more at locations throughout coastal Georgia. The Georgia Historical Society’s webpage includes the full-list of participants. Super Museum Sunday Participants

*Information provided by the Georgia Historical Society’s program available on their website Georgia History Festival Program

Posted online on Friday, January 30th, 2015