Bartow History Museum To Explore African-American State Parks

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- Next week, the Bartow History Museum will welcome a guest who will present his research on the history of African-American parks in the state of Georgia.

Al Alford of the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites system will be on hand to discuss his work during the organization's event, which will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2.

The presentation will center on the relationship between African Americans and the Georgia State Park system during the Jim Crow era.

In conjunction with this lecture, the Bartow History Museum announces the opening of its new feature exhibit on the history of Bartow Carver Park, formerly known as the George Washington Carver State Park. The park, located on Lake Allatoona in southern Bartow County, was established in 1950 by John Atkinson, a former Tuskegee Airman who became the first African American state park superintendent in the state of Georgia.

Known simply as “The Beach” by those who became regular visitors between 1950 and 1975, the park attracted visitors from throughout the southeast.

Alford was born and raised in the small town of Toomsuba, Mississippi. He earned an associate's degree in art from East Mississippi Community College as well as a bachelor of science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

He has been employed in the state park system over 21 years serving in the capacity of park ranger at Fort Yargo State Park and assistant park manager at the Bobby Brown State Park. He currently is the park manager at Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park located in the south Georgia town of Reidsville. Before joining the state park system, Alford worked in community parks and recreation as a program coordinator and assistant recreation director.

The lecture is free to members and included with the price of admission for not-yet members.

For more information on this and other museum programs, call 770-382-3818 ext. 6288 or visit the museum website.

Image via Bartow History Museum