The Marietta History Center will host a three-day symposium on Indigenous history in Georgia Nov. 13-15, featuring scholarly presentations, a gallery reception and a guided tour of Etowah Indian Mounds.
“Before, At, and Beyond 250: Indigenous Cultural History in Georgia” is part of the center’s recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, connecting local and national stories through history, art and civic dialogue.
“America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the many peoples and cultures that shaped this nation before, at, and beyond 1776,” said Amy Reed, Marietta History Center director. “The land that would become Marietta and Cobb County was home to Indigenous peoples at the time of our nation’s founding. Our symposium brings these important stories forward and reminds us that Indigenous history is American history.”
Weekend schedule
The symposium opens Friday, Nov. 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Marietta History Center, 1 Depot St. A reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres in the galleries will accompany a participatory discussion of William Verelst’s 18th-century painting, Audience Given by the Trustees of Georgia to a Delegation of Creek Indians.
Four speakers will present Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marietta City Schools Meeting Room, 250 Howard St. A light breakfast and lunch are included.
The invited speakers and their planned presentations are:
- Tony Harris, a Cherokee Nation citizen and Cherokee elder: “Ethnobotany: If Plants Could Talk-A Cherokee Relationship.”
- Dr. Heidi Altman of Georgia Southern University: Presentation title forthcoming.
- Dr. Tammy Byron of Young Harris College: “Southeastern Indians of the Revolutionary Era.”
- Dr. Michael P. Morris: “Mary Musgrove: Georgia’s Co-Founder.”
The weekend concludes Sunday, Nov. 15, with a guided tour and weapons demonstration from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, 813 Indian Mounds Road SE in Cartersville. The tour will take place outdoors, rain or shine.
The schedule and participants are subject to change without notice.
Tickets and registration
Registration is required. Admission for the full symposium is $20. Individual daily tickets are $10 for Friday, $10 for Saturday and $5 for Sunday.
Admission is free for Marietta History Center Annual Fund supporters at the “Museum Explorer” tier and above. Eligible supporters must reserve tickets by emailing LOestreicher@MariettaGa.gov.
For online ticket purchases and more information, visit MariettaHistory.org or call 770-794-5710.
Editor’s note: AI was used in the production of this article. To read about how, when and why we make use of AI, read our article “How, When and Why the Cobb County Courier uses AI.”