Morgan County Landmarks Society

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.)

05/04/2026

05/03/2026

Everyone is welcome to join us for cake and ice cream as we celebrate the success of our program! 62 markers cleaned in Morgan County! Huzzah!!🥳

04/21/2026

You’re Invited to a Special Open House
Thursday, April 23
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Morgan County Library

In 1976, in celebration of America’s Bicentennial, two remarkable quilts were created right here in Morgan County. Each quilt features 30 unique squares, representing 60 local organizations and churches that were active fifty years ago, including the Morgan County Landmarks Society.

These quilts are more than beautiful pieces of folk art—they are a community effort. Hundreds of individuals contributed by designing 14-inch squares that symbolized their organizations, then stitching and quilting them together into the historic treasures they are today.

Carefully preserved for decades in the archives at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, these quilts offer a vivid snapshot of our county’s past.

Join us for this special open house to view these extraordinary works up close and discover the stories behind each square—and the people who brought them to life.

04/21/2026

Yesterday, Dr. Trae Welborn presented a smokin’ program--“Red, White, and ‘Cue: Georgia History Through Barbecue”—to the Morgan County Historical and Landmarks Societies. Dr. Welborn, a professor of history at Georgia College & State University, explained how barbecue traditions have reflected and influenced Southern culture—from indigenous traditions with wild game and 19th century pitmasters to contemporary, international flavors. Dr. Welborn’s presentation stimulated minds and appetites!

Delicious barbeque from Farm441ga was the perfect conclusion to a wonderful afternoon. Huge thanks to Madison Realty, Inc.., our event sponsor, for providing Farm441ga's tasty barbeque, stew, and slaw! And thank you, as always, to the Morgan County Library for hosting this event.