It is not often that Georgia historic sites or parks are in the national media, but the Dahlonega Gold Museum is the exception. During December of 2010, the Dahlonega Gold Museum hosted “Old Fashioned Christmas 2010” in which a seventeen-foot evergreen was donated by a local tree farm and decorated by the Friends of Dahlonega Gold Museum.
The Dahlonega Gold Museum commemorates the first American gold rush which took place twenty years before the infamous 1849 California Gold Rush. Those who visit this former Cherokee Nation in north Georgia will experience the dramatic story as they tour this historic 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse. Not only does this courthouse’s stunning features and unique history draw huge volumes of visitors, but, in December, this historic site presents a most charming Christmas experience that will take each guest back to the 1800s drawing thousands of visitors to this treasured site.
In anticipation for their largest event of their year, Friends of Dahlonega Gold Museum applied for the 2010 Matching Grants program through the Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites in which they were awarded $750. Through this grant, along with the generosity of chapter volunteers, Friends of Dahlonega Gold Museum were able to acquire and decorate this fantastic tree, along with other materials, decorations, and refreshments needed for this great event, drawing thousands of visitors to their site. State Senators and Representatives and the National Christmas Tree, which was in transit to Washington D.C. by the National Parks Service, all attended the opening ceremony. Both national and Atlanta television stations broadcasted this great event.
Through the tireless efforts of this Friends chapter, as well as the funds received by Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, the Dahlonega Gold Museum was able to draw in a great deal of publicity and host thousands of guests. It is through the generosity of financial contributors to the Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites along with thousands of volunteers throughout the state who are responsible for the successes at so many of our great parks and historic sites.