I was in the Atlanta area last week and had time to visit a museum. There are several good choices, including the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta History Center, but I knew I’d have more time if I chose a smaller one out of town. I’d been meaning to go to the Marietta History Museum for some time, but usually my visits to Marietta are rushed, so now was the perfect opportunity. The museum is housed in the Kennesaw House, which wasn’t a house at all, but a hotel, dating from 1845 when it was built as a cotton warehouse.
I’m going to say outright, as much as I hate to, that I’m often disappointed in small municipal museums. Most of the ones I’ve visited (quite a few) are a hodge-podge of old stuff, poor arranged, poorly displayed and poorly maintained. Several years ago I went to one where they had Victorian and 1920s clothing displayed on wire hangers!
But, I’m happy to say, this is not the case in Marietta. This museum is a little gem, with the displays all having a relavance to Marietta’s history. The displays were nicely arranged and well explained. I missed the wedding dress display they had up for some time, but one corner was devoted to the “Fashion of the Month”. How cool is that? This month’s display was from the estate of a well-known Marietta citizen. Along with her dresses and hats from the 1950s-1970, there were also photos and the details of her life.
As in most Southern museums, there was a large Civil War display. That isn’t really accurate; there was a large military display, starting with the earliest wars Marietta played a part in, up though the present day. I usually don’t get excited about military displays, with the same guns, uniforms, guns, gruesome photos, and oh.. did I mention guns? This one had a small section devoted to women in the military, starting with WWI nurses, and ending with the items of a woman from Marietta who was a combat nurse in Vietnam. Quite interesting!
There was a large aircraft plant in Marietta during WWII, and one of the women workers had donated her work overalls and other items from her employment as an airplane builder. Rosie the Riviter!
A few drawings from my journal:


For those who are more interested in mythology than history, the “Gone with the Wind” Museum is right next door. I’m not a fan of the movie, but they do have some iconic costumes from it.
Comments:
Posted by Lulu:
I like your drawings! They’re cute!!!
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 @ 1:01 PM
Posted by deb jordan:
I also have a Rosie type jumpsuit which has been patched many times. It was found in an old trunk. It does have a patch that I am trying to remember. Expedition 1872 w/ an eagle??
Tuesday, September 23rd 2008 @ 7:20 AM
Posted by Lizzie Bramlett:
What a great find! I’d absolutely LOVE to come across one.
Tuesday, September 23rd 2008 @ 5:00 PM
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