We will begin with the Crawford W. Long Museum. Dr. Crawford W. Long first used ether for surgical anesthesia. Artifacts and documents highlighting the life of Dr. Long, as well as early anesthesia equipment are displayed in the Medical Museum. Changing exhibits in the 1858 Pendergrass Store connected to the Museum offer visitors a unique view into the life of the 19th century.

Next we will visit the Historic Jackson County Courthouse, home of the Jefferson Historical Society and archives. Built in 1879, this beautiful landmark served for 125 years until 2004, when the new courthouse complex was built. Ten years later, the “new”Jackson County Historic Courthouse opened, serving as the Jackson County Welcome Center and Historic Archives. Our visit will include the second floor, which is currently under renovation.

Two optional parts of the ramble follow: One is a tour of the nearby Woodbine Cemetery, once site of the Jefferson Methodist Church (1806-1845). Many of the town’s founders are buried here as well as civil war veterans. The second is a tour of the Lawrenceville Street neighborhood, an historic district that includes an African American cemetery.

Participants can walk (distances are short) or take cars, and there will be places to sit at the Museum and courthouse. Each part of the tour will be about 45 minutes. You can sign up for a $10 dinner after the optional rambles at Cream ‘n Suga, a local restaurant located in the old Jefferson jail.

We will meet and park at 1:00 p.m.at the Long Museum (28 College St, Jefferson, GA) and can walk or drive to the other locations of the tour from there. You might wish to carpool to Jefferson. Plan on a half an hour to get there from Athens.

This ramble will be limited to 30 participants. AHS members can bring one guest. Sign up by October 27 by emailing
Athenshistorical@gmail.com. Tell how many will be in your party and specify if you wish to attend the dinner, as we must preorder. We will email you any updated directions. AHS will make a contribution to the Jefferson Historical Society and the Crawford W. Long Museum in gratitude for their hospitality; participants in the tour may wish to contribute something.