First Sunday Lecture: John Wereat, The “Forrest Gump” of Georgia’s Revolutionary Era, 1775-1799

Dr. Lamplugh kicked off the annual "Smyrna Reads" campaign this year with yesterday's lecture on John Wereat. We are reading the U.S. Constitution and exploring America's Founding Era. Thank you, Dr. Lamplugh!

John Wereat, The “Forrest Gump” of Georgia’s Revolutionary Era, 1775-1799
A "Smyrna Reads" Event

Speaker: Dr. George Lamplugh, author of In Pursuit of Dead Georgians

Like Tom Hanks' version of "Forrest Gump" in the movie, John Wereat was in the middle of things for virtually every significant event in Georgia's history between the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775 and his death in 1799. Does that make him a "great" man? Probably not, but he was an "ever-present" one, with a strong sense of public duty and a willingness to sacrifice wealth, health, and comfort for the "common good."

John Wereat was active during the Revolution, in Georgia, where he took part in the bitter factional politics that split the ranks of Georgia patriots; and he also served as the state's "Continental Agent," in charge of arranging shipments between Georgia and Philadelphia. Wereat served as the de facto "governor," for a short time, of the small section of Georgia that was outside the control of the British early in the war. Later, he was taken prisoner by the British and sent to Charleston. After the Peace Treaty was signed in 1783 and Georgia was an independent state, Mr. Wereat was elected several times as State Auditor, in which capacity he had the thankless task of trying to settle the Revolutionary Era financial claims of individual Georgians and of the state government with Congress in Philadelphia. Because of his knowledge of the arcane world of Revolutionary finance, Wereat made numerous friends in Philadelphia and among Georgians who were grateful for his efforts on their behalf. Later, when the Federal Constitution of 1787 was submitted to the states for ratification, John Wereat was unanimously chosen by the state's ratifying convention as its presiding officer. Finally, in 1795, during the furor over the Yazoo Land Fraud in Georgia, Wereat tried, unsuccessfully, to prevent that corrupt Yazoo sale from being approved by the legislature and signed by the governor.

Speaker Biography: Dr. Lamplugh holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware, 1966 (History); and an M.A. and PhD. from Emory University (1971, 1973). He spent 37 years on the high school faculty at The Westminster Schools (1973-2010), where he taught all sorts of History courses (and, for a couple of years, even some Old Testament), served as Head of the History Department, and edited the department's newsletter for a few years. Since he retired from the classroom, he has continued to "do" History, publishing two books on Georgia History in 2015. Moreover, since June, 2010, he has written a blog, "Retired But Not Shy: Doing History After Leaving the Classroom."

The First Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library and Smyrna Library.

Thank You, Georgia Psychiatry & Sleep

Happy Shroff from Georgia Psychiatry & Sleep put a big smile on Youth Services Librarian Rebecca Power's face today. Happy dropped off a check for 2020's "Kid-Con" literary festival to help sponsor the event. The second annual "Kid-Con" will be Saturday, March 28.

Needlework by Embroiderers Guild of America, Dogwood Chapter Opens in Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The September/October 2019 Display Gallery exhibit has opened – Needlework by Embroiderers Guild of America, Dogwood Chapter.  The exhibit is on display through December 31. The Display Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Public Library.

Display Gallery exhibits are organized by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement

Dogwood Chapter is the Metro Atlanta Chapter of EGA and has multiple stitch ins and interest groups located throughout the metro Atlanta area and Athens. The chapter meets on the first Sunday of most months for a stitch in and short program. All members are welcome in all groups and guests are always welcome.

Photography on Stretched Canvas by David Batley Opens in Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The September/October 2019 Art Gallery exhibit has opened – Photography on Stretched Canvas by David Batley.  The exhibit is on display through December 31. The Art Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Public Library.

Art Gallery exhibits are organized by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement

David Batley has been capturing images for over forty years, starting with a simple Kodak rangefinder camera loaned from his grandmother when he traveled to Southeast Asia with the Army in the late 60's. Through the years, David has been passionate about his photography and has enjoyed the experiences of both film (35mm and medium format) and digital. He works as a versatile freelancer with the objective of providing a unique look at many types of subject matter, whether it be event oriented, documentary, or fine art.

SMYRNA READS 2019: THE U.S. CONSTITUTION Announced for September

SMYRNA READS 2019: THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

For 2019, we will revisit America's Founding Era and read the United States Constitution. Free copies will be available while supplies last. Other copies will be available for check out.

SUNDAY LECTURE: "John Wereat, The “Forrest Gump” of Georgia’s Revolutionary Era"
Sunday, September 8
3:00 p.m.
Smyrna Library, Meeting Room
Free of charge and open to the public.

Dr. George Lamplugh will discuss the life of John Wereat and his contributions to early 

America and Georgia from 1776-1799.

Monday, September 23, and  Monday, September 30
6:30-7:45 p.m.
Smyrna Library, Meeting Room
RSVP: sreference@smyrnaga.gov
Discussion Leader: Dr. William Marchione

Participants will be given readings in advance. Dr. Marchione will lead the group in a discussion of the context and relevance of the readings.

TINKER TUESDAY: "Colonial Crafts"
Tuesday, September 17
4:00-4:45 p.m.
Smyrna Library, Meeting Room
For ages 5-12 years PLUS parent/caregiver
RSVP: sreference@smyrnaga.gov by Sept. 16

We will make a quill writing pen and a pinch pot with air dry clay.

PERFORMANCE: " Buttons for General Washington"Monday, September 23

11:00-11:45 a.m.
Smyrna Library, Meeting Room
For ages 5-12 years

Actress Cathy Kaemmerlen will enact a spy story from Revolutionary War era America.

CRAFTERNOON: "Fall Crafts"
Tuesday, September 24
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Smyrna Library, Meeting Room
All ages

Participants will also enjoy crafts related to America’s Founding Era.

2019 SMYRNA READS SPONSORS

This program is part of "Revisiting the Founding Era," a three-year national initiative of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History presented in partnership with the American Library Association and the National Constitution Center, with

generous support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Also sponsored by Smyrna Library and the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Want to be a Writer?

Have you always wanted to be a writer? This class is for you! Smyrna Public Library is launching its very own lifetime learning academy this fall with a creative writing course. Critically acclaimed novelist, Amber Brock will teach the four week course (Sept 14-Oct 12). Brock is the author of "A Fine Imitation" (2016) and "Lady Be Good" (2018). Classes take place in the Smyrna Library meeting room

Fisrt Sunday Lecture Series: Renovating History: Smyrna’s New Museum

Smyrna Museum Manager, Jennie Eldredge, presented Renovating History: Smyrna’s New Museum for today’s First Sunday Lecture. 

Ms Eldredge discussed the progress of the museum renovation so far and gave a sneak peek at some of the exciting new exhibit themes and topics. There were discussions about plans for the future once the museum reopens in the fall and ways people can get involved in the museum and the Smyrna Historical Society. The grand re-opening is planned for later this year.

Speaker Biography:

Jennie Eldredge is a Cobb County native, who attended Georgia State University both for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She has worked in the field of Cultural Resource Management Archaeology and at public history venues like Historic Oakland Cemetery and the Atlanta History Center. She received her Masters in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University in 2017, and has been working for the city for 2 years.

The First Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library and Smyrna Library.