What: Westville, an 1850’s living history museum
Where: Lumpkin, Ga.
When: Thurs. – Sat. 10 – 5 pm and Sun. 1- 5 pm
Cost: Adults $10, Seniors, College Students and Military $8, Students K-12 $5
Click here for a $1 off admission coupon

Westville is a working 1850’s town located in Lumpkin, Ga., not far from Providence Canyon . The museum is a collection of 30 historic buildings assembled from across the state, and arranged as a typical 1850’s town layout with commerce buildings in the center and residences on the outskirts. Buildings include various trades, a school, courthouse, church, store, carriage house, gardens, slave quarters, upscale residences and a farm.

We visited on a random rainy Thursday. Two costumed interpreters lead three different tours explaining various aspects of 19th century life. I found the cotton gin and press to be most interesting. Our guide demonstrated a hand crank cotton gin and showed us a more advanced model that spit the cotton out into a barn. The massive cotton press was quite impressive. Mules were used to turn a huge pole that “pressed” the cotton into 500 lb. bales which were then tied by hand.

Westville alone was interesting, but unless you plan to go more than once, I would recommend timing your trip around the various special weekends on the Westville event calendar. During special events, there are more costumed interpreters and activities making it a more enriching experience. For example, staffers told us during the Civil War Days program in October, there is a soldier encampment in addition to numerous demonstrations of life in 1850. Interpreters spend the weekend at Westville and remain “in character” from Friday evening through Sunday night.

Photo by Barbara Weibel

What: Swim the Warm Springs, Dip Into the Past
Where: Warm Springs, Ga.
When: Memorial Day Weekend 2010
Cost: 1.5 hour swim sessions are $20 adults; $12.50 ages 6 to 17; Family Package-$75
Only Family Package includes admission to Roosevelt’s Little White House.
Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling The Little White House at 706-655-5870

During Spring Break 2010, my boys and I visited The Little White House and the accompanying Warm Springs pools. FDR originally came to Warm Springs seeking relief from his polio but enjoyed it so much, he eventually built a home.  The historic pools where FDR found relief are now kept empty for preservation. However, over Memorial Day weekend, the shallow pools will be filled with naturally warm spring water for public bathers to enjoy. Tickets to the swim may be purchased over the phone with credit card. Space is limited to 80 participants per session. Reservations are suggested. All remaining tickets will be sold first-come, first-served, based on availability.

What: Waffle House Museum
Where: 2719 East College Ave., Decatur, Ga.
When: May 8 from 12 – 3 pm
Cost: Free

If you missed the Waffle House^® museum open house in March, never fear, the museum will now be open to the public one day a month. The Waffle House^® Museum is the site of the very first Waffle House^® restaurant. It opened back in 1955 after two neighbors, Joe Roger, Sr. and Tom Forkner, decided Avondale Estates needed a 24-hour restaurant. Today, the chain they started has 1600 restaurants in 25 states. The restaurant has been restored to feel as though you are stepping back into 1955. In addition to the restaurant, the museum features Waffle House memorabilia from the past 54 years.

Although I have not been to the museum, it looks like kids can play restaurant cooking make believe steak and eggs and serving customers behind the counter.

If you sign up to be a Regular, you’ll receive information on when the museum will be open, as well as coupons.

What: Folk Tales by the Rails
Where: The Depot in Kennesaw
When: Saturday, Nov. 14, 4 pm – 9:30 pm
Cost: FREE

This event, which I originally saw on Atlanta on the Cheap, looks like a ton of fun. There is FREE storytelling, folklore, music, dancing, crafts, poetry and entertainment. You can gather round a campfire and take a wagon hayride as you journey through time to meet cowboys and frontiersmen, mountain folk, Native Americans, Civil War soldiers and more.

A costume contest for children takes place near the Depot stage at 5:30. At 7 and 8 pm, That Puppet Guy, Lee Bryan performs two FREE shows of The Zany Zoo. We’ve seen That Puppet Guy at our local library and he’s wonderful. My children still talk about his shows.

What: Day of the Dead
Where: Atlanta History Center
When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 12 – 5 pm
Cost: Free for members AND non-members

Thanks to the Fulton County Arts Council, the Institutio de Mexico, and the Mexican Consulate, Sunday’s Day of the Dead event at the Atlanta History Center is free for both members and non-members. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit this wonderful attraction.

Day of the Dead is an ancient festival rooted in Mexican heritage and serves as a way for families to remember their deceased loved ones and to celebrate their children and the continuity of life. The History Center’s celebration includes dancers, elaborately decorated altars, storytelling and authentic Mexican food and music.

To learn more about the Hispanic community in Atlanta, check out the exhibit Through the Lens of Mundo Hispanico: Georgia’s Hispanic Community. The exhibit showcases through photos and newspaper clippings the contributions of Hispanics to the city and Georgia.

I would also suggest visiting the Centennial Olympic Games exhibit and Turning Point: The American Civil War. If you were in Atlanta for the ’96 Games, it will bring back memories. In addition to the track on the main floor, there are more interactive stations upstairs. There is an elevator in the back corner of the exhibit, but it’s kind of hidden.

The History Center’s Civil War collection is one of the premier collections in the country. Watch the videos first, as some of them can be a little graphic.