New Civil War Museum Opens October 7

Civil War artifacts recently uncovered at Magnolia Springs State Park in Millen, Ga., will have a new home when the Camp Lawton exhibits open October 7. The public is invited to attend a small ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Magnolia Springs History Center at 2 p.m. at the park.

Camp Lawton was once the world’s largest prison, built to relieve overcrowding at Andersonville Prison.  Archaeologists and students from Georgia Southern University have been excavating the site since 2009, uncovering numerous items such as a pipe, coins, a ring, buttons and buckles, as well as stockade wall posts.  Some items will be displayed in the new museum, while some will remain at the university.
 
Magnolia Springs State Park is located 5 miles north of Millen on Hwy. 25.  Parking is $5.  In addition to touring the museum, visitors may also enjoy touring original Confederate earthworks, the springs and boardwalk.  Park activities also include fishing, picnicking, biking and walking on nature trails.  For more information, call 478-982-1660 or visit http://gastateparks.org/MagnoliaSprings.  The park is operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.