Northeast Georgia History Center Strengthens Our Sense Of Community

I will admit some bias in what I am fixing to say, but I think the announcement the other day that the Northeast Georgia History Center is seriously expanding its activities is important for all of us in this region. The lessons of history are important, so it becomes a valuable part of our education. The history of Northeast Georgia is unique, partly because our geography is uniquely different from the traditional plantation areas, and partly because the people who settled here had a culture which can teach us a lot about life. It is encouraging to me to see us take our history seriously.

But there's more at stake here. Part of the reason I feel strongly about the need for a thorough knowledge and firm pride in our local history is this: in the near future we are either going to become a part of metro Atlanta and one of its bedroom communities, or
else we are going to maintain our own sense of community and our own culture. We are not likely to stop the growth of Atlanta. But, if you look at other big cities, you often find a community right in the midst of the metropolitan area that holds its own identity, its own character, its own sense of community. And without exception, you will find these independent edge cities have a true history of their own, are proud of that history, and using that history as their base, refuse to become a part of the senseless sprawl whose only identity is that of bedroom community for the big city.

Hall County, and especially Flowery Branch and Gainesville, have a truly real history and a great opportunity to hold our sense of community in place. But when you add to this the very unique history of all Northeast Georgia, this section of the state where the Blue Ridge mountains have dominated our economy and our lifestyles, you will find our history is of one area, and it is totally different from Atlanta, or Piedmont Georgia, and certainly different from the plantation culture of the traditional South.

Collecting and teaching the history of Northeast Georgia is worth while, but the greatest benefit of the Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University may well be its ability to aid this area in holding onto its sense of community...separate and apart from metropolitan Atlanta.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/9/190253