Troup County Archives & Legacy Museum on Main

06/01/2026

While commercial textile manufacturing did not begin in Troup County until later, trade reports printed in the January 24, 1826 edition Augusta Constitutionalist and the March 18, 1833 Savannah Republican newspapers show significant amounts of silk, wool, linen, and cotton were imported into Georgia. Troup County merchants made periodic purchasing trips to Savannah and Augusta markets, and even to New York and Philadelphia, to procure the popular fabrics demanded by their customers.

Innovations in roller printing on textiles introduced new dress fabrics. Rich colors such as Turkey Red were popular but delicate floral prints were also common. Interestingly, printed cotton was considered more valuable than silk because the design was applied by hand with blocks dipped in ink. The more complicated the design, requiring more blocks, made the cloth more costly.

Learn more about early 1800s fabric and clothing in our 'What to Wear?' section of our exhibit, Settling In: Troup County, 1826.

Coverlet or blanket, c. 1850.
This red and white coverlet was woven at the Troup Factory using cotton grown in Heard County.

05/29/2026

We love hosting groups at the museum!

This week, First United Methodist Church stopped by with their summer day camp to explore our latest exhibit and take part in a fun rainstick activity.

Programs like these are one of our favorite parts of what we do. We are always excited to welcome groups of all ages to the museum for interactive learning experiences, guided tours, crafts, and more.

Interested in planning a visit for your school, camp, church group, homeschool group, senior group, or organization? Contact us! We are also happy to travel to your location when possible to bring history directly to you.

Thank you again to First United Methodist Church for spending part of your week with us!

05/28/2026

In the early days of the county, ferries operated on the Chattahoochee River. These stretched all along the river, from Philpot’s Ferry on the northern border of the county, to West Point Ferry in the southwestern corner. In total, at least a dozen ferries operated in the county from 1826 to the 1850s. The river was not only used to transport people, but also goods and livestock. As areas like Troup began to shift their primary focus to textile production, the use of the river for transportation of materials and goods became a cornerstone of the economy.

To learn more about early transpsortion in Troup County, check out our latest exhibit, Settling In: Troup County, 1826.

Picture Caption: View of Mayson-Turner Ferry on the Chattahoochee River in Cobb County with Calhoun “Uncle Coat” Turner as ferryman, 1903. Atlanta History Photograph Collection, VIS 170, Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center.

05/27/2026

After the establishment of Troup County, a lottery was held in 1827 to distribute land. Residents registered into the lottery by providing their name and county, which was then placed in a drum to be drawn. To participate in the lottery, a person was also required to already have been a Georgia resident for at least 3 years. A second drum contained the district and lot numbers for the county. A name was drawn from the first drum, then either one or two lot numbers from the second drum. If participants pulled a lot number, they had to pay $18 to secure their land. Each lot was 202 ½ acres.

Now you can experience the process for yourself! Stop by the museum to see our latest exhibit, Settling In: Troup County, 1826, to take part in our interactive land lottery activity. Try your luck and spin our lottery drum and place a star on the land lot you would have received!

05/22/2026

05/21/2026

The banjo became a popular instrument in the South, and its African-derived rhythms were incorporated into early American popular music. Most musicologists agree that the banjo evolved from West and Central African stringed instruments, such as the akonting and ngoni, brought to the area by enslaved people. Early banjos were often handmade using gourds, animal skins, and wooden necks. Instruments like the fiddle, voice, early banjo forms, and portable piano or reed organ were common. Want to learn more? Check out the music section of our latest exhibit, Settling In: Troup County, 1826.

05/20/2026

Eleven treaties were signed between Native Americans and European settlers to create the state of Georgia that we now know. On February 12, 1825, the Treaty of Indian Springs ceded to the United States all lands lying within the boundaries of the State of Georgia, as defined by the compact of April 24, 1802. In return the Creeks received an equal amount of land west of the Mississippi along the Arkansas River.

05/19/2026

There is always something new to discover! Thank you Downtown LaGrange for highlighting our latest exhibit. As always, admission is FREE and we are excited for the community to take an immersive look at local history.

05/18/2026

While our first Kids Night at the Museum is fully booked, please be on the lookout for sign-ups for our next event on July 17th. In the meantime, we invite you to join us for our other free summer programs: Baby History takes place every Tuesday at 11 a.m., and Hands-On History will begin once school is out for the year, with our first event scheduled for Thursday, May 28, at 11 a.m. We hope to see you there!