George Washington Carver Park Memories Day Set For Feb. 25

BARTOW COUNTY, GA -- Residents are invited to come out and share their stories about the days when The Beach was a popular recreational destination for black residents.

George Washington Carver Park Memories Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at Bartow Carver Park, which is located at 3900 Bartow Carver Road in Acworth.

Formerly known as the George Washington Carver State Park, the park is located on Lake Allatoona in southern Bartow County.

It was established in 1950 by John Atkinson, a former Tuskegee Airman who became the first black 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 many citizens from all areas of the southeast.

During the event, residents will also be able to learn more about plans to promote the restoration of historic sites on an African American Heritage Trail.

The Etowah Valley Historic Society will have a table set up to provide details about this extensive project. The organization will also screen the stories of individuals who were visitors to The Beach when it was a segregated facility.

Image via Bartow History Museum