Morgan County Landmarks Society

10/13/2026

Our first meeting back at the Library will be this Sunday, October 18 at 3pm! David Land and Ken Kocher will present on “The Central of Georgia Depot,” sharing its history and the current state of its restoration.

Prior to the meeting, at 2:15, the depot will be open for you to go inside and familiarize yourself with the building. It is a grand old structure so vital to the success of Madison. This is optional but a great opportunity.

There will be a sign up sheet at the meeting for hostesses for the coming year. The social time after our meetings is always a great tradition where we can stay and chat with friends. In addition, our treasurer will be available to take dues for those who have not yet had the opportunity to pay.

See you at the library on Sunday afternoon!

10/06/2026

Today, we remember and honor Nancy Miles, a longtime member of the Morgan County Landmarks Society and an advocate for historic preservation and education. Nancy passed away on September 26, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in our community.

Nancy served as Recording Secretary of the Landmarks Society for many years. She also helped to create the Landmarks Society’s property plaque program, documenting historic homes and businesses in Morgan County, while raising funds for the restoration of Richter Cottage. The program continues today.

Nancy and her husband, Jack, played an important role in the restoration and furnishing of Madison’s historic Richter Cottage, helping ensure its details reflected an early 19th-century middle-class home.

A former teacher, Nancy also shared her passion for history through the Morgan County Heritage Education Program.

Her obituary can be found at https://www.aecarterfuneralhome.com/obituary/Nancy-Miles . It is a beautiful testament to her loving devotion to her family, friends, and faith. The Morgan County Landmarks Society is grateful for Nancy and her remarkable life!

Celebrate the life of Nancy Miles and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

09/21/2026

Thank you to all our members who came out to the “Madison in Madison” speech competition! And special thanks to our president, Dianne McNamara, for serving as a judge. The student speeches were impressive—what an outstanding group of young speakers! Congratulations to all!

09/15/2026

Our first meeting of this membership year will be the "Madison on Madison" Speech Competition at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center this Sunday at 3pm. Come on by and learn about James Madison!

This Sunday!

Finalists in the competition will present 5-minute speeches on James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” for whom the city of Madison is named. A panel of judges will award cash prizes to the top three speakers.

The competition will be held here at MMCC and the community is welcome to attend in celebration of Constitution Week and America’s 250th year.

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

Scott Key Law

Morgan County African American Museum

Henry Walton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Madison Town Committee of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America

Morgan County Landmarks Society

Pearl-Burney Alumni Museum

Morgan County Historical Society

Guy Roberts

Anonymous Friend of the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center

09/02/2026

Please join us on Sunday, September 20th at 3pm for the “Madison on Madison” high school speech competition at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. This will serve as our first meeting of this membership year. A reception will follow in the Arts and Crafts Gallery. Come on out and learn about James Madison, after whom our town is named!

📣 Finalists in the competition will present 5-minute speeches on James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution” for whom the city of Madison is named. A panel of judges will award cash prizes to the top three speakers.

🏆 The competition will be held here the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, and the community is welcome to attend in celebration of Constitution Week and America’s 250th year.

Register on our website or follow this link:

https://form.jotform.com/261955716866170

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.)