Meadow Garden, the historic home of George Walton one of three Georgia signers of the Declaration of Independence, held a free Independence event on July 4.
The event opened with a reading of the Declaration of Independence followed by a cannon salute. Other activities included a revolutionary soldiers’ camp displays and live music from the Garden City Strummers. A patriotic puppet theater and activities such as quill pen writing and making a paper bag puppet of George Washington and Betsy Ross were available for the children.
The Waltons lived at Meadow Garden more than 230 years ago. George Walton’s life began as an orphan in Virginia where he apprenticed as a carpenter. He traveled to Georgia where he became a successful lawyer and a leading voice in the Revolutionary cause. Walton signed the Declaration of Independence when he was just 26 years old, according to a news release from the house museum director Ransom Schwerzler.
The Georgia State Society of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution operates the house museum.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
