Historic Oglethorpe County, Inc.

04/28/2026

Historic Oglethorpe program reminder. Come out this evening for Jonathan Scott’s presentation on the battle of Kettle Creek. Promises to be a wonderful talk. April 28, 2026, 7 pm, Oglethorpe County Library meeting room.

Not for Want of Courage but for Want of Experience: The Brief but Brutal Engagement at Kettle Creek

Even though Kettle Creek is the site of Georgia's largest Patriot victory, the exact details of the February 1779 battle still remain shrouded by time. Using original research, the latest scientific findings, and more than a decade of experience studying and understanding historic American battle sites, Winterville's Cultural Heritage Director Jonathan Scott will present his theories on how the battle unfolded along the slope of Kettle Creek.

To commemorate 250 years of American independence, the City of Winterville has launched a series of exhibits, programs, and special events in honor of our country's birthday, including a monthly guided tour of the Kettle Creek battlefield. Attendees to this program that register for a tour before the evening ends will receive a $5 discount off the normal tour price of $25!

02/23/2026

Join us this Friday, February 27th for our annual banquet and award ceremony held at the Oglethorpe County Library, 6 pm. This is potluck, so bring a dish to share if you can.

11/17/2025

[EXTERNAL SENDER - PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY

Our monthly Historic Oglethorpe County meeting will be held on November 18th, 7 pm, at the Oglethorpe County Library meeting room. This is earlier than our usual 4th Tuesday to avoid the Thanksgiving holiday week.

Tom Gresham will be giving a talk entitled, “Archaeology of the Dead”. In his presentation, he will be talking about his experiences with exhuming and moving graves and will be showing what archaeologist find in old graves. His work was in Georgia, from Native American graves dating about 500 years ago, to graves of enslaved dating 200 years ago, to family graves dating 100 years ago. He will talk about how progressive Georgia laws in 1991guide exhuming and moving graves and will briefly discuss grave investigations in Oglethorpe County, including a single formal excavation of a grave.

I hope you’ll join us for this fascinating talk!

09/22/2025

Public invited.

07/18/2025

We found this photo of Mr. Paul, Paul’s BBQ, from April, 1978, in our shop—Rowdy Rooster— in Lexington. We still have the signs displayed that used to be in the front of the building. Post your memories of the BBQ.

07/15/2025

If you want a good, short history of Lexington, see the city’s Historic Preservation Handbook:

07/15/2025

We’re planning our next year of Historic Oglethorpe County programs. If you have an interest in some aspect of Oglethorpe Coybty history or have suggestions for speakers, post your ideas. Our general meetings are held tge 4th Tuesday of each month at tge Iflethotpe County library meeting room.

06/29/2025

Announcement from Jonathon Scott, Cultural Heritage Director, City of Winterville:

We're hosting an archaeology camp at the end of July as we undertake a week-long search for the site of downtown Winterville's first depot (and possibly first structure overall) built circa 1850. Adults, young adults, and families with younger children are all welcome.

I know there is a lot of interest in archaeology in the group, so if any of your members would like a hands-on experience with the real thing this would be a great opportunity for them!

There is more information about the camp on our website here:

https://www.countrydoctorsmuseum.org/upcomingevents

Folks can register by emailing [email protected], or calling us at 706.389.5151

Guess again: the building sitting astride Main Street and the Firefly Trail isn't our first railroad depot; it isn't even our second. No, our depot was built in 1903 and is at least the third structure to serve our town in that capacity.

06/20/2025

Thanks to Tela Lynn Wood for this wonderful old picture of the Turner store next to the tag office in Lexington. If you ride by, you’ll notice it is being restored by Blair Dorminey who plans to open a coffee shop at the site. It sits next to the Turner Smith house, one of the oldest houses in Lexington.

If you have any old pictures of sites around Oglethorpe County, please post them. Thanks!