Morgan County Landmarks Society

08/05/2026

Over the summer, the Morgan County Landmarks Society Board met to plan a fantastic year of programs. We have a lot to look forward to, and we can't wait to share it with you throughout the year!

We're also excited to welcome Dianne McNamara as President for this membership year. Before we kick things off in September, we invite you to get to know Dianne a little better by reading her message below.

A message from President Dianne McNamara:

The rumor you may have heard is true. Terry Tatum, long-time President of the Morgan County Landmarks Society, has handed the proverbial "reins" or “gavel” to me. You’ll see why I say this in a moment. Terry's wisdom and knowledge will continue to help the Landmarks Society. Thank you, Terry, and thank you to all our Board members!

To introduce myself as the new Landmarks President, I can tell you that I'm familiar with both reins and gavels. As a UGA Law grad, my legal and consulting practices over the years have included fiduciary responsibilities, Georgia legislative liaison, elder law and estate planning. My husband, Tom McNamara and I, had horses and donkeys when we lived in Arizona for over a decade after years of living in Atlanta. When we decided to return to Georgia in 2023, and her humidity, we picked Madison, mostly because of the friendly community and its dedication to historic preservation. We were fortunate to find a 1920 home in the historic district which was formerly owned by some well-known figures: C.E. Elder (Chief of the Madison Police Dept., 1905-1937) and Felton Jenkins, Esq. (attorney and businessman). We readily purchased a historical marker from the Landmarks Society! Did you know proceeds from historical marker sales help the upkeep and preservation of Richter Cottage?

Tom and I are both involved in another sort of historical preservation: we are members of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. As members, we travel the U.S. to demonstrate and teach about Vietnam-era aircraft. Continuing my commitment to the community, in January, I began serving a three-year term on the Vestry at the Episcopal Church of the Advent. As many of you know, the Church is another significant, historic landmark in Madison frequently on the Tour of Homes.

Thank you for the opportunity to be of service to the Landmarks Society and our community at large. I look forward to learning more about our local history from our speakers, our events, our collaborations with other historical groups -- and from all of you.

Our 2026-2027 Board members are:

Dianne McNamara, President
Debbie Grainger, Vice President
Deneice Rice, Secretary
Pat Hodgetts, Treasurer
Jan Manos, Membership Director
Nancy Greene, Richter Cottage Director
Heather Cousins, Public Relations Director

07/31/2026

With grateful hearts, the Morgan County Landmarks Society celebrates the life of Irene Huff.

Irene passed away on July 29 at the age of 97. She was a founding member of the Landmarks Society and touched countless people during her remarkable life.

Irene's obituary is a beautiful tribute to a life well-lived: https://www.aecarterfuneralhome.com/obituary/Irene-Huff

As Huff family shared: "We...treasure the memories of our mother that you’ve shared with us, and we are grateful to those of you who have been a part of her life’s journey! We hope that your memories of her will bring a smile to your face." In lieu of flowers, they ask that others honor Irene by spending time with an elderly friend or relative and letting them share their thoughts and stories with you.

Celebrate the life of Irene Huff and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

07/13/2026

On July 10, Marshall "Woody" Williams passed away at the age of 103. One of Morgan County's most revered citizens, Woody was beloved for his knowledge and kindness. He was a former Morgan County High School principal, volunteer archaeologist, World War II veteran, and the founder of the Morgan County Archives. In establishing the Archives, Woody ensured that invaluable local historical records would be preserved and made available to the public. Over the next three decades, he devoted thousands of unpaid hours to assisting visitors and correspondents from across the United States, connecting them with the documentary history of Morgan County's people and places. Woody's profound legacy will live on at the Archives and in the hearts of his countless friends. The Morgan County Landmarks Society would like to extend our sympathy to the Williams family, while also celebrating Woody's remarkable life. Mr. Woody's full obituary is available online:

Celebrate the life of Marshall Williams and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

07/06/2026

The Morgan County Landmarks Society was pleased to deliver a historical sign today to Mount Perry Baptist Church. Founded it 1870, Mount Perry has been a house of worship for more than 150 years. Rev. Benjie Evans (left) and Pastor Tommy Hall (right) are leaders of the Church, which is currently being renovated.

06/09/2026

The Morgan County Landmarks Society is pleased to announce the winner of the annual Josephine Hart Brandon Scholarship, which provides full tuition to the Georgia Archives Institute (G*I). This year's scholarship recipient is Margaret "Maggie" Inman, a research assistant at the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center.

The Georgia Archives Institute is a 2-week intensive study program at the Georgia Archives in Morrow, Georgia. The Institute was established by Carroll Hart, a Madison native who served as Director of the Georgia Department of Archives and History from 1964-1982.

Landmarks Board members Terry Tatum and Dianne McNamara recently met with Inman to celebrate her studies at G*I. Congratulations Maggie!

(The Landmarks Society's scholarship to G*I is dedicated to local educator Dr. Josephine Hart Brandon. Dr. Brandon and Carroll Hart were sisters and co-founders of the Morgan County Landmarks Society. Carroll Hart established the scholarship in honor of her sister.)

05/26/2026

Fresh flowers were planted at the Madison-Morgan Memorial Garden on Hancock Street for Memorial Day. The garden honors those whose lives have been lost to terrorism at home and abroad. In 2023, on the International Day of Peace, the Morgan County Landmarks restored and re-dedicated the garden. The Society continues to tend the garden and recently refreshed it with red, white and blue annuals, celebratory “America 250” flags, and American flags, which surround a granite Morgan County compass rose. Community members are invited to visit and spend a quiet moment of reflection on the Peace and Remembrance bench.

05/23/2026

Each year, the Madison Historic Preservation Commission recognizes individuals and organizations in our community working to preserve Madison and Morgan County history.

On Thursday, these awards were presented at the annual Historic Preservation Ice Cream Social, held at the Church of the Advent. The Morgan County Landmarks Society churned homemade ice cream for the event, and volunteers dished out peach, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream—made with Ken Kocher and Monica Callahan’s famous recipe.

In partnership with the Morgan County Historical Society, the Landmarks Society also won a Preservation Excellence Award for their Adopt-A-Marker project, which is part of a national effort in conjunction with the America 250 celebration. More than 60 historic markers in Morgan County were cleaned by volunteers—great work, Adopt-a-Marker teams!

For the full list of winners, visit the page for the City of Madison.

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate historical preservation!

05/23/2026

05/19/2026

The Morgan County Landmarks Society celebrated their last meeting of the season with a special anniversary! It’s been 50 years since the Society was incorporated! 🎉 Outgoing President Terry Tatum gave a wonderful presentation on the history of the Landmarks Society. Thank you, Terry, for your many years of service to Landmarks, most recently as our President! You are an inspiring leader, and your work in historical education, research, and documentation is a gift to Morgan County. Thank you, also, to our outgoing treasurer, Nancy Brock, who has carefully managed the Society's accounts for many years! (Nancy also keeps the Society’s scrapbook, and we are so grateful for your service!)

Board members for 2026-2027 were elected. Dianne McNamara will step into the role of President, and Debbie Grainger will serve as Vice President. Other Board members include: Deneice Rice, secretary; Nancy Greene, treasurer and director of Richter Cottage; Jan Manos, membership director; and Heather Cousins, public relations director.

Congratulations to all our Board members. Thank you for leading the Landmarks Society into its next fifty! 🥳

05/15/2026

Please join us at the Morgan County Library this Sunday at 3pm for the last membership meeting of the year.

(Note: Meeting will NOT be held at Hard Labor Creek as originally planned.)