October, 2008

Have you ever been down to Jonesboro to the Gone with the Wind museum and then on out to Stately Oaks?
I got a group together and we left Jasper early (7:30) because not knowing how the traffic would be in Atlanta and we would rather be early than late. I always try to have some games going as we travel through Atlanta, that way we don't pay that much attention to the traffic. We didn't have any problems and sailed right through the city and actually got to Jonesboro before our set time. One of the first things we noticed was the long line of people in front of the court house.....they were there for the early voting! If they were any indication of how the voting is going to be I would say there will be a record turn out. We were welcomed to the museum by our guide, Peter Bonner, who was dressed in period clothing and looked as if he might just have stepped out of the late 1800's. He was very knowledgeable of the Gone With The Wind movie and of life at the period in time. After going through the museum containing things from the movie he had many interesting stories to tell. He got on the bus with us and we took a tour of Historical Jonesboro. He had many more interesting stories of Margaret Mitchell and other people whose lives the story, Gone with the Wind, were patterned from. After touring the town it was off to the Stately Oaks Plantation and a step back in time to life at Tara. Here Peter left us in the hands of another wonderful guide Professor (retired) Key, who was dressed in clothes such as the Master of the Plantation would have worn when receiving guest (complete with top hat). He gave us some wonderful history of Stately Oaks and explained the lay out of the grounds and building. Our first visit was to the country store. You will love this old country story and the assortment of things they have for sale (not just show). I got moonshine there! Yes, it is moonshine jelly and has as much moonshine in it as the law will allow I understand. We then went on to see some of the other buildings and sights of this Plantation, the wash house, the tenant house and of course the old "out house". We started our tour of the house and then took our lunch break before completing the tour after lunch. Our lunch was served to us in the old school house, served on white table cloths and real dishes (not throw away). It was a most delicious meal and enjoyed by all. After lunch we went on to complete the tour of the house. Our guides there were in the full dress costumes and showed us how many different layers of clothing the two ladies had on. It usually takes about one hour for them to get into the full dress costumes. We were very fortunate to have one of our guides who does the costumes for the Atlanta Historical Society. Not only were they very knowledgeable of the clothing of this period in time they were some of the most knowledgeable guides we have seen in the many historical homes we have visited. They told us upon arrival that we would feel like we were guest in the home, not visitors to a museum. This was very true, Prof. Key and both of the ladies made you feel like you were there visiting and they would be happy to see you return! And I can truthful say I think each one of this group would be happy to make a return visit to Stately Oaks Plantation.
 

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