The Town of Bethlehem and its surrounding community, including Tanner’s Bridge, will be the spotlight of the Barrow County Historical Society’s fall membership dinner meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23. Social time begins at 6 p.m. with the buffet at 6:30 p.m.
Being hosted at the Bethlehem Community Center, located with Bethlehem Town Hall at 750 Manger Ave., the gathering will share history of the area’s families, schools, churches, organizations and the town itself.
The business focus will be on Harrison Poultry, which began in 1948 by the Luther Harrison family as a hatching/broiler house and grew from 1958 under poultry industry innovator R. Harold Harrison into a hatchery, processing facility and state-of-the-art feed mill operation. The legacy of the late Harold Harrison, who was inducted to the Georgia Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2001, continues to impact Bethlehem, Barrow County, Georgia and beyond.
Bethlehem trustee Ann Ridgeway, whose husband Ronald has deep family roots in the town, is joined in the program planning by historical society trustee Judy Ann Eicher, volunteer Ann Wilburn and secretary Joan Tiller. Historic photos and artifacts will also be displayed.
Former Bethlehem trustee Emma Evans and Lori Lay, daughter of longtime trustee Lorene Lay, will highlight the Tanners Bridge community and its continuing endeavors to support and preserve heritage of area families. Much of the history of the area is found in the book authored by Emma’s sister, Geloria Ansley Phelps, entitled “Tanner’s Bridge”.
In addition, Ann Wilburn, whose family has close ties with Harrison Poultry, and Joan Tiller are also assisting.
To reach back to the community’s early settlers, Andrew Yearwood, whose family ancestral home has been acquired by the town to be of future community use, has been invited to share his rich knowledge. His book about the Yearbook family history is at the museum. Also, Bethlehem Town Clerk Kathy Bridges is providing an array of town-related history.
The Masters Table is catering the buffet dinner. The meal is $12 per person and reservations can be made with the historical society by the close of business on Monday, Oct. 20 – via mail, dropping off reservation forms with checks at the museum or by calling the Barrow County Museum at 770-307-1183 and planning to pay at the door.
The museum is located at 74 W. Athens St., in downtown Winder behind the Barrow County Historic Courthouse. Membership in the Barrow County Historical Society is $10 per year or $100 for a lifetime membership. The historical society is a 501-c-3 organization so donations are tax-deductible. You can mail donations to BCHS, P.O. Box 277, Winder, GA 30680.