An Augusta house museum’s Christmas program will feature a different twist from typical holiday offerings.
Home and family are central to most holiday celebrations, but the original occupants of Augusta’s historic Meadow Garden didn’t have the chance to spend their first two Christmases together.
The Revolutionary War kept them apart.
George Walton, one of Georgia’s signers of the Declaration of Independence, was imprisoned a few months after he and his wife, Dorothy, were wed in 1778.
“They were married in September, and in December, George was a prisoner of war after the Battle of Savannah,” said Ransom Schwerzler, the house museum’s director. That theme of war and duties of country separating a family during the holiday season will be the focus of Christmas at Meadow Garden Dec. 6-7.
By October 1779, George Walton had been released; however, he was concerned for his wife’s safety. He sent her to be with family in Charleston, South Carolina. But her ship was intercepted by the British and wound up in Antigua after being blown off course during a storm.
Realizing she was a person of importance, the British eventually traded her for one of their prisoners of war.
“They celebrated their holidays far from home during times of war,” she said.
And other families have done the same throughout the generations.
Different war time periods will be represented at the historic home. The Revolutionary War will be commemorated in the front room; the War of 1812 will be highlighted in another room as that war would have taken place while the couple’s son, George Walton Jr. occupied the home. World War I and the red poppy will be the focus In the Augusta room while World War II will be central in the Signers’ room.
Schwerzler said she believes the theme will resonate with many of the visitors.
“There are so many military families here,” said Schwerzler, whose husband is a veteran and knows well what holiday separations are like.
The candlelight tours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. Tickets are $10 for adults: $8 for teachers, seniors and military; $5 for children 6-18 and free for children 5 and younger. Reservations are not required, and tickets may be purchased at the door.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
