Historical Society Keeps History Alive

The Washington County Historical Society was founded in 1976 in celebration of the nation's bicentennial. Its purpose was to promote understanding and appreciation of the history of Washington County and to collect and preserve items of historical significance.

The Society created its own museum in 1979 at "Old Jail" at 129 Jones Street in Sandersville which served as the Historical Society's headquarters until 1999 when it opened another museum, The Brown House.

Throughout the years, the Historical Society has appointed several sub-committees, each responsible for handling the specific needs of its historical cause.

The Washington County Historical Society meets quarterly in the Citizens Bank Meeting Room on South Harris Street. Memberships are available for individuals, students and families as well as lifetime memberships.

There are several notable historic locations in Sandersville including:

Jefferson Davis Heritage Trail andSherman’s March to the Sea

Follow Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ trail of flight as he traveled through Washington County. Visit the site of his encampment just outside the town of Warthen while you are simultaneously driving the Civil War Historic Route taken by Sherman on his March to the Sea. Washington County has the unique distinction of being the only county in Georgia to have had the presence of both men.

The March to the Sea Heritage Trail® (aka Sherman's March) is one of the Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails®. Collectively they are "the official statewide Civil War Historic Driving Trails of Georgia," designated by Georgia's Governor and General Assembly in 2010. Sherman's army, split into left and right wings, made "Georgia howl" along two 300-mile driving routes from Atlanta to Savannah. This trail, which passes through Sandersville, features historic homes, churches, depots, battlefields, forts, museums and more Civil War Heritage Trail

Historical Society Brown House Museum
268 North Harris Street
478-552-1965
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2-5 p.m.
Saturday 10-3

Old Jail Museum and  Genealogy Research Center
129 Jones Street
478-552-6965
Contact by Email
Open Tuesday and Thursday 2-5 p.m.

Historic Cemetery
Old City Cemetery
141 W Haynes St.
Sandersville, GA 31082