January 30
Governor Zell Miller signs an executive proclamation declaring
1996 as James Edward Oglethorpe Tercentenary Year.
August 30
Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School in Athens, Georgia, kicked off a year-long celebration of the James Oglethorpe Tercentenary with a school-wide assembly in which James Oglethorpe appeared in period dress to tell his life story to the students. For the story of the school's commemoration, click here.
September 16
Governor Miller announced 21 Georgia Heritage 2000 program grants, including a $10,000 award (which will matched in part locally) for restoration of the James Oglethorpe monument in Savannah. This National Historic Landmark was created by renowned sculptor Daniel Chester French in the early 1900s and is widely conside the most heroic likeness of Georgia's founder.
October 4
The Georgia delegation arrives at the Parliament complex in London for a tour of the facility and a private reception with Virginia Bottomley, Great Britain's Secretary of State for Heritage.
October 6
The Georgia delegation travels to Godalming, James Oglethorpe's hometown during the first four decades of his life. A full day of activities are planned in Godalming, including visits to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (the church attended by the Oglethorpe family), the Godalming Museum, and the Meath Home (the Oglethorpe family home formerly known as Westbrook Manor).
October 7
The Georgia delegation travels to Cranham for a memorial service for James Oglethorpe in the Parish Church of All Saints, in which he and wife Elizabeth are entombed.
October 26-27
The Georgia Federation of Stamp Clubs features an Oglethorpe Tercentenary theme for its Peach State Stamp Show '96 at the Athens Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. A collection of first day covers of the 1933 U.S. stamp portraying General Oglethorpe will be on display, in addition to a souvenir show cover with a cachet and pictorial cancel honoring Oglethorpe.
November 1
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia announced that its main conference room in the historic Lucy Cobb complex will be formally designated as the "Oglethorpe Room." The Institute's painting of James Oglethorpe, plus prints, engravings, maps, and other memorabilia associated with Georgia's founder will be housed in the conference room.
November 2-3
The Greater Augusta Stamp Club features the Oglethorpe Tercentenary as its show theme for the 1996 GAPEX stamp show in Augusta, Georgia. A special pictorial cancel has been approved by the Postal Service for the show, and souvenir covers will be available at the show.
December 1
Oglethorpe County, Georgia, will hold its Tercentenary observance at 2 p.m., Sunday, December 1, at the Oglethorpe County courthouse. Featured speaker will be Ed Jackson, who will give a slide presentation documenting the Oct. 3-8 trip by Governor Zell Miller and the Georgia delegation to observe the Oglethorpe Tercentenary in England.
December 3
Ed Jackson will give a slide presentation on the James Oglethorpe Tercentenary at the luncheon of the Downtown Atlanta Kiwanis club in the Merchandise Mart.
December 6
Oglethorpe University will host its annual Boar's Head Ceremony, which this year salutes the James Oglethorpe Tercentenary with a concert that includes period music from the time of James Oglethorpe (1696-1785).
December 12
Dr. Hardy Jackson will present a slide presentation entitled "Oglethorpe at 300" at the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah. The program will be taped by the society and made available for distribution.
December 21
In Savannah, Tercentenary memorial services will be held at 12:00 p.m. in Christ Church, followed at 1 p.m. by a parade from the church to Chippewa Square, where Mayor Floyd Adams at 1:35 p.m. will present a proclamation and place a wreath on the Daniel Chester French statue of James Oglethorpe. For more information, call Tammie Hooks at (912) 651-6443.
December 22
While Governor Miller proclaimed the entire year as a time to
celebrate the James Edward Oglethorpe Tercentenary, Oglethorpe
University has planned a very special tribute on Oglethorpe's
actual 300th birthday on December 22. A variety of activities
are planned from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hearst Hall, which is located
across from the main adminstration building (Lupton Hall) at the
entrance to the university, which is located at 4484 Peachtree
Rd. NE. For example:
* General Oglethorpe--complete with saber and costume--will make an appearance in a dramatic vignette in which he recounts the story of his life. This presentation by a professional actor has won rave reviews so be sure and bring a camera or video camcorder!
* We plan a live teleconference to celebrate the birthday with our friends in Godalming, England, who welcomed the Georgia Tercentenary delegation that went to England in October.
* The birthday will be marked by toasts to Oglethorpe, to the Queen, and to the President.
* The U.S. Postal Service is preparing a special postmark based on James Oglethorpe's signature that will be available only during the ceremony. Be sure and bring lots of envelopes or any other item (e.g., books) and stamps (you'll need a 32¢ stamp or a 20¢ postal card for each cancellation). If you'd like, you'll be able to send letters or postal cards to friends with the Oglethorpe cancel through the U.S. mail.
* There will be period music and food to mark the festive occasion.
* For Georgians who accompanied Governor Miller to England in October, it will be a special reunion and opportunity to compare photos and memories of a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage. Also, we will have an update on what has happened since our recent visit.
* Copies of the James Oglethorpe Tercentenary Commission's
new color poster as well as a new brochure on Oglethorpe will
be available. Also, Cathy Hodge should have copies of her latest
Georgia Voyager magazine, which features various stories and pictures
about the Tercentenary.
For more information, call Robbie Hill, director of public relations at Oglethorpe University, at 404-364-8329.
January 30
Since school was out on the James Oglethorpe's actual birthday,Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School in Athens, Georgia, held Oglethorpe's 300th Birthday Celebration on January 30 with a full day of activities and commemorative events. Click here to see program.
February 4
A new book, James Edward Oglethorpe: New Perspectives on His Life and Legacy, was released by the Georgia Historical Society, James Edward Oglethorpe Tercentenary Commission, and Oglethorpe University.
February 12
Because James Oglethorpe's actual birthday falls during the Christmas holidays, some schools and groups are planning to use February 12--Georgia Day (the day that the first Georgia colonists arrived at Yamacraw Bluff)--as the culmination of the Oglethorpe Tercentenary commemoration. The largest Georgia Day celebration in the state will be held in Savannazh.
February 13
Oglethorpe Universisty will hold its annual "Oglethorpe Day" ceremonies with a program dedicated to the 300th anniversary of James Ogletorpe. Click here to see the program.
To register an event with the commission, or for more information
on scheduled events, contact commission executive secretary Ed
Jackson by e-mail
or by phone at (706) 542-2736.
© Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia