Dunaway Gardens programs and flyers, 1930s-1960s
Scope and Contents
Documents, photographs, and promotional materials created or collected by the Newnan Chamber of Commerce in Newnan, Georgia.
Most notable about this collection are the extensive materials about Dunaway Gardens, located in Newnan, Georgia. Dunaway Gardens were established by actress Hettie Jane Dunaway on her husband Wayne P. Sewell’s family lands around 1916. The garden feel into disarray after her death in 1961, later to be revitalized.
This collection includes photographs of the gardens and people in the gardens, along with photographs of performers who may have performed there or were friends with Hettie Jane Dunaway Sewell.
Of particular importance are the flyers and programs for Dunaway Gardens which span its inception to its closing. This includes an undated hand-drawn announcement, "Now Open Tea Room," and a 1934 invitation by the Newnan Garden Club to the unveiling of the garden totem pole. This invitation highlights the racial disparity in Newnan of this time, as the Sewell family lands were still referred to as a plantation and this program included the singing of "negro sprituals" by "Sewell Plantation Negroes." Also of note is a photograph of a Black community picnic in the garden, possibly dating to the 1930s-1940s based on the dress style.
Dates
- 1930s-1960s
Conditions Governing Access
Open to all users.
Extent
From the Collection: 0.96 Linear Feet (1 box, two OV folders in OV flat box)
Language
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society Repository
McRitchie-Hollis Museum
74 Jackson Street
Newnan GA 30263 USA
770-2510207
executivedirector@newnancowetahistoricalsociety.com