Griffin Spalding Historical Society

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. We are especially mindful of the families, friends, and fellow service members who carry their memory every day.

Did you know Georgia played an important role in the origins of Memorial Day? The National Cemetery Administration credits Mary Ann Williams of Columbus, Georgia with helping establish the tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers a practice that inspired the first national observance of “Decoration Day” in 1868. Here in Griffin, Memorial Day services were documented as early as 1888, when local residents gathered to decorate graves.

Photo from GSHS Archives, Copy from Front Page of Griffin Daily Newspaper May 31, 1971.

05/13/2026

05/03/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported GSHS yesterday at our Derby Party & Fundraiser. We had a beautiful time in the garden. This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and volunteers:

A special thank you to
• First National Bank of Griffin, Gold Sponsor
• Jeffrey's Bottle Shoppe, bar sponsor
• Allison and Holli, for the photo backdrop everyone loved featuring Letters & Company’s beautiful banner

We’re also grateful to
• Lost Horizon Bluegrass Band, for an amazing performance 🎶
• The Liquor Gate, for bourbon gift bottles 🥃
• Hollowood Home & Candle, for the Best Hat gift basket 🎁
• Pursell Farms Farms, for the getaway package 🌿
• Kroger, for discounted roses 🌹
• Lowe’s, for generous plant donations 🌱

And a huge thank you to our Events Committee, House and Grounds Committee, and Board, your time and support mean everything to us!

🎉 Congratulations to our winners
• Kay Mobley, Best Hat on the Track, winner of a gorgeous Hollowood gift basket
• Allison Wilder, Runner Up
• Congrats to Robert Morgan, winner of the Pursell Farms getaway
• Thank you to Randy Shaw for donating his 50/50 raffle winnings back to the Griffin Spalding Historical Society 💛

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended our Derby Party, your enthusiasm and community spirit made it truly special all while helping support our mission. We can’t wait to see you at future events 🏇✨

More photos coming soon, we’ll share an album here once they’re ready 📷

04/28/2026

Reminder:

If your daughter plans to apply for the 2026–2027 Griffin-Spalding Historical Society Junior Guild, your family must have an active GSHS membership.

The deadline to join is May 1, 2026.

Membership is required in order to receive an invitation to apply, and space is limited each year.

Junior Guild is open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

You can join here:
https://www.griffinhistory.com/

Questions? Email [email protected]

04/25/2026

Today in History: In the early hours of April 25, 1908, at approximately 2:00 a.m., a powerful tornado tore through Griffin, leaving a path of destruction in what became known as the “Griffin Disaster.” The storm devastated the Rushton Mills cotton mill complex and nearby homes, forever changing the landscape of the community.

This tragic event was part of the "1908 Dixie Tornado Outbreak", which swept across the Southeastern United States from April 23–25, claiming hundreds of lives.

These historic photographs, generously donated to the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society in 1997 by Mr. Otis Snider, offer a sobering glimpse into the aftermath, and the resilience that followed. Rushton Mill would later be rebuilt, standing as a testament to the strength of the Griffin community of the time.

04/23/2026

Friday is your last chance to grab tickets to the event of the year! 🏇

Don’t miss out and secure your spot today:
https://www.griffinhistory.com/event-details-registration/derby-party-and-fundraiser

04/18/2026

What a wonderful experience being part of the Griffin/Spalding Chamber of Commerce's Taste of History Tour today. We loved welcoming so many new faces to The Bailey Tebault House and highlighting Sophie's Cabin.

Thank you to Our Legacy: The Griffin-Spalding African-American History Museum for being apart of this special experience and to our many volunteers who assisted us from handing out information about the society, the museum, and the importance of preservation to preparing the Charcuterie Cups for the guests on the tour.

If you are interested in learning more about our preservation efforts, becoming a member, or about the Legacy Museum - visit us online!

www.ourlegacymuseum.com
www.griffinhistory.com

04/16/2026

Spalding County Prom is THIS Saturday!

As a reminder, reservations are required to take photos at The Bailey Tebault House & Grounds.

We have a scheduled event at the Bailey-Tebault House until 3:00 PM and several of our photo time slots are already fully booked. Staff will be on site throughout the day.

To ensure a smooth experience for everyone, do not arrive without a confirmed reservation. Guests without prior arrangements will be asked to leave. Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to helping make your prom day special! Visit GriffinHistory.com or call/text us at 770-229-2432 to inquire about remaining available times and the fee associated.

04/14/2026

Only 10 days left to secure your tickets to the party of the year! 🌹

50/50 Raffle, Best Hat on the Track Competition (winner gets a prize!) Live Bluegrass Performance, Three Course Meal, Race Viewing... and you can't forget the Mint Juleps.

Celebrate the most exciting two minutes in sports with great food, music, fashion, and fun while supporting the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society.

Learn more and secure your tickets today: https://www.griffinhistory.com/event-details-registration/derby-party-and-fundraiser

04/13/2026

Amazing News for Downtown Griffin!

We’re pleased to share that 115 E. Solomon St. is being partially preserved. The front portion of the building, extending to the stairwell inside, will remain intact, while the rear will undergo much-needed renovation, including the addition of a new second floor. This thoughtful approach allows the structure to once again become a usable space while honoring its historic character.

This outcome would not have been possible without the many individuals who spoke up, researched alternatives, and advocated for preservation. Your voices made a difference.

Dr. Steve Ledbetter, County Manager, graciously agreed to meet with GSHS President, Drew Payne and local arhitect, Kenneth Moore of PBK Architects, to hear alternatives/options to a total demolition. A special thank you to Commissioner James Dutton for orchestrating the meeting and being an advocate for the GSHS and historic preservation in Griffin!