FIrst Sunday Lecture: First Women - Culture and Change Among the Creek and Cherokee

Thank you, Jennie Eldredge, for presenting “First Women: Culture and Change Among the Creek and Cherokee” at last Sunday’s First Sunday Lecture.  

The very informative lecture discussed the roles of women in Cherokee and Muscogee Creek cultures both before and after relocation. The shared ancestry of both groups in Georgia and how women anchored these matrilineal groups throughout their history was discussed in detail.

Jennie Eldredge has been the Museum Manager for the City of Smyrna since October of 2017, overseeing the Museum and 3 historic cemeteries. She graduated from Georgia State University with a BA in Anthropology, and an M.A. in Heritage Preservation. 

“The Mississippian Era Around Us” Now on Exhibit in Galleries Through December

The Smyrna Public Library Art & Display Galleries feature “The Mississippian Era Around Us” through December 31, 2024.  The exhibit is located on the second floor. 

In honor of Native American Heritage Month (November), the Smyrna Museum and Smyrna Public Library bring you a photo exhibit showcasing two Mississippian Era sites in Georgia, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. The Mississippian Period in Georgia archaeology stretches from AD. 800 A.D. to 1600 and is characterized by complex societies that built large, earthen platform mounds. 

Museum Manager, Jennie Eldredge and Library Associate Jennifer Moore visited Ocmulgee Mounds in May of 2024 and Etowah in October 2024 and captured views of the structures around these spectacular parks. The images are presented here with informative signage to introduce viewers to the monuments built by Native Americans in the Georgia area over hundreds of years. Both the Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Creek Nation who later occupied the Smyrna area are descended from these Mississippian peoples.

The Smyrna Museum is a city owned property and collection that is housed in a reconstruction of the train depot that was located on Atlanta Road until the 1950s. Beginning with the Native American period of Smyrna history, visitors are taken on a chronological tour of the city's history with over 100 objects on display. Museum Manager and Cobb native, Jennie Eldredge, has been overseeing the museum since 2017. She holds a master's degree in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University.

Successful Fall Book Sale Concludes

Thank you, Smyrna Shoppers, for supporting this weekend’s successful Friends of Smyrna Library Fall Book Sale!

SPECIAL THANKS to the 40 volunteers, many of whom volunteered for multiple shifts over the past month, who made this sale another success!

EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS to these 5 AWESOME teens who were the teen closing crew this afternoon. WOW! They did an amazing job – worked hard & fast (we only have one hour to breakdown the book sale room), followed directions, stayed on task, asked to do more when a task was finished, and they had a good time too. They will be great employees when they get their first paying jobs. They put in a total of 12 volunteer hours and this book sale close was one of the best organized to date with their help.

Acclaimed Artist, Marsha Hamby Savage, Speaks at Smyrna Public Library

Thank you, Marsha Hamby Savage, for your wonderful presentation today at the monthly Sunday Lecture.   If you have not seen Ms. Savage’s art exhibit at the Smyrna Public Library, it’s on display through the end of the month in the 2nd Floor Art Gallery.

Lecture Synopsis: 

Ms. Savage discussed her exhibit in the library's upper level galleries. Based in Smyrna, Ms Savage is a seasoned artist with over 50 years of experience, known for her vibrant landscape paintings in pastel, oil, and acrylic. Her deep connection to nature is reflected in her works, which often capture the serene beauty of creeks, rocks, and cascading water. Living in the Southeastern U.S., she frequently paints en plein air, drawing inspiration from both local and western landscapes. Savage's art has been widely recognized, with numerous awards and commissions, including prominent installations at the Georgia State Capitol and various hospitals.

Sunday Lectures are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

50 New Titles Added to the Wonderbook Collection

The Smyrna Public Library added 50 new Wonderbooks to the collection this week! These books have an audiobook built into them, so young readers can enjoy a print book while listening to the story being read aloud.

The books are wildly popular among families with young children. The library received a donation of $1,000 to purchase books in memory of former library director Doris Morris and her husband Max. The Friends of Smyrna Library matched this donation with an additional $2,000. This allowed the library to purchase these 50 new titles. Enjoy!

Friends of Smyrna Library Purchase Cover One Book Repair Machine

The Friends of Smyrna Library purchased a Cover One Book Repair Machine for Smyrna Public Library over the summer.

The machine uses heat and a special type of glue to repair books with loose pages and broken spines.

Pictured here, Technical Services Associate Lawrence C. repairs a juvenile graphic novel with a completely broken spine. The next day, the glue is set, and the book is ready to check out again!

This is just one of many examples of how your book sale purchases and donations are put to use in the Smyrna Public Library.

Sunday Lecture: Architectural Eras of Smyrna

Thank you, Jennifer Corcoran (r) and Rebekah Helfgot (l), for yesterday’s wonderful and informative "Architectural Eras of Smyrna" lecture at the Smyrna Public Library.

The lecture outlined the evolution of housing and neighborhoods in the city throughout the twentieth century, divided into five architectural “eras”. The presentation included illustrations and examples of the types of houses and neighborhoods that were constructed during each era. Jennifer and Rebekah explaind how local, national, and world events influenced the size, style, and arrangement of our local homes.

Speaker biographies:

Jennifer Corcoran is an architectural historian and NEPA planner for Jacobs Engineering. She has a Master’s degree in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Florida State University. She primarily works on environmental and cultural resource documentation for GDOT projects. She lives in a compact Ranch house in Cheney Woods and has been a Smyrna resident for 19 years. She is married and has one child at Campbell High School plus one pup named Apollo. Her favorite thing about Smyrna is living in a walkable neighborhood with school, restaurants, and entertainment close by.

Rebekah Helfgot is an architectural historian for AECOM. She has a Master’s degree in Historic Preservation and a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and History, from the University of Georgia. She works on architectural history surveys and historic evaluations for GDOT projects. She lives in a twenty-first century townhouse in Montclair and has been a Smyrna resident for 4 years. She is married and shares her space with 2 cats, Zoe and Eliot. Her favorite thing about Smyrna are the city events and facilities.

Sunday Lectures are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.