New Civil War exhibit opens Apr. 17 at Jefferson museum

JEFFERSON - The Crawford Long Museum opens a temporary exhibit "The Threads of the Civil War" on April 17, featuring garments and accessories of the Civil War era.

The exhibition will offer a glimpse into the life of Mary Jane Merk Patrick, a woman who lived in Jefferson and whose husband, Miles Jefferson Patrick, died in the Civil War. In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the war, this exhibit expands on the currently running exhibit "Medicine in the Civil War."

Mary Jane Merk and Miles Jefferson Patrick both grew up in the Dry Pond area of Jackson County and were married in 1852. Miles served as Postmaster at Dry Pond in the early 1860s and was one of the first men to leave Jefferson to go to war as a volunteer in 1861.

Serving as private and then corporal of Company G., 16th Regiment, Warfords Brigade, Georgia Infantry, he died in Yorktown, Virginia in March, 1862.

Mary Jane Patrick is buried in Woodbine Cemetery in Jefferson. On the same lot is a Confederate marker in memory of Miles Patrick.

The great-great-granddaughter of Mary Jane and Miles Patrick, Ceil Jarrett, is serving as Exhibit Project Consultant. Many personal family heirlooms will be on loan for the exhibit which will run until October 31, 2012.

"The Threads of the Civil War" exhibition will be included in regular museum admission prices. For further information, contact the museum at 706-367-5307. Museum operating hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10:00-5:00 and Saturdays, 10:00-4:00.

A special opening night preview of the new exhibit is included with the Supper & Substance program, "The Garden of Good & Evil" to d be held Tuesday, April 17 from 5:30-8:30 featuring Susan Russell, Certified Arborist for the City of Jefferson. The lecture is to include the vices and virtues of several types of plants, from delicious to dangerous, as well as medicinal uses. Pre-registration is required. $15.00 for museum members, $20.00 for non-members. Call the museum at 706-367-5307 to pre-purchase tickets no later than Thursday, April 12. The meal will be catered by Sugar & Spice Café.