Ashantilly’s Annual Meeting was held on Jan.18. Board members elected to another term were: Sara Blocker, Carol Gaither, and Nancy Thagard. Officers for 2012 were also elected: Harriet Langford, President, Sara Blocker, Vice President, Carol Gaither and Aidine Kiernan, Co-Secretaries, and Nancy Thagard, Treasurer.

Ashantilly has no paid staff, and service as a Board member is very demanding. The Center is fortunate to have these individuals, and much gratitude is extended to them.

Learn more about Kell, the Confederate Navy and the Civil War in a series of talks presented at Ashantilly Center, Darien, GA.

Sunday, January 15, 3:00 pm
McIntosh and the Kell Connection
Buddy Sullivan. The renowned coastal historian will set the stage for the next three talks. Buddy has written extensively on the history of McIntosh, Darien, and Georgia and he will elaborate on Kell’s familial ties to the area.

Sunday, January 22, 3:00 pm
Civil War Navy Sesquicentennial
Matt Eng, Deputy Educator at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and an expert on American Naval History, will discuss the importance of commemorating the Civil War’s Sesquicentennial, focusing much of his presentation on the Navy during that period.

Sunday, January 29, 3:00 pm
Georgia’s Contribution to the Confederate Navy
Ken Johnston, director of the National Civil War Naval Museum in Port Columbus, will talk about Georgia’s role in the Confederate Navy.

Sunday, February 5, 3:00 pm
John McIntosh Kell
Jeff Seymour, Curator of the National Civil War Museum in Port Columbus, will present the definitive lecture on Kell, his area of expertise.

This project is supported by the Georgia Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities and through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly.

These free public programs are sponsored by: Georgia Humanities Council, Historic Darien, Inc., and Ashantilly Center, Inc.

With the irrigation installed, the Native Garden is ready for plants! Scott Thompson, of Thompson’s Garden, delivered the plants we had purchased this Fall.

A full house welcomed Dr. Andrew Prescott to hear his account of the failed attempt by Scotland to establish a colony in Panama. Dr. Prescott is a professor at King’s College London. His lecture was informative and delightful!

The Darien Venture: Scotland’s Forgotten Empire
Dr. Andrew Prescott

November 13, 2011
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

In 1698, five ships set sail from Leith Harbour in Scotland bound for Panama. Their aim was to establish a colony on the Panamanian isthmus, known at that time as Darien, in the hope of establishing trade with the Far East, avoiding the treacherous journey around Cape Horn. The promoters of the Darien expedition, who included William Paterson, one of the founders of the Bank of England, hoped that this Scottish Empire would revive the ailing Scottish economy, but this Scottish colonial adventure resulted within two years in the loss of about 2,000 Scottish lives and a quarter of Scotland’s financial reserves. The disastrous consequences of the failed Darien colony were one of the main reasons why Scotland was forced into Union with England in 1707.
The name of the town of Darien in Georgia commemorates this tragic episode in Scotland’s history. In this illustrated lecture, Professor Andrew Prescott of King’s College London will tell the story of the Darien venture through pictures of contemporary documents, books and artifacts recording Scotland’s forgotten Empire.

A reception will follow.

Members: $15
Nonmembers: $20
Students w/ ID: $10

Donations

Members $15.00 Non-Members $20.00 Students w/ ID $10.00

Many visitors made it out to Ashantilly to hear Buddy Sullivan speak about its history. The cool and windy weather did not deter them from the tour of historic St. Andrews cemetery. Prof. Nic Silberg was on hand to instruct participants in printing a card on Mr. Haynes’ small press during the Print Shop’s Open House. All were excited to learn about the work done to restore Ashantilly Press to an active facility.

Yvonne Grovner had an enthusiastic group to display her skills as a basket weaver and teacher. The group was so interested that a follow-up session will be scheduled early next year!

The Darien Venture: Scotland’s Forgotten Empire
Dr. Andrew Prescott

November 13, 2011
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

In 1698, five ships set sail from Leith Harbour in Scotland bound for Panama. Their aim was to establish a colony on the Panamanian isthmus, known at that time as Darien, in the hope of establishing trade with the Far East, avoiding the treacherous journey around Cape Horn. The promoters of the Darien expedition, who included William Paterson, one of the founders of the Bank of England, hoped that this Scottish Empire would revive the ailing Scottish economy, but this Scottish colonial adventure resulted within two years in the loss of about 2,000 Scottish lives and a quarter of Scotland’s financial reserves. The disastrous consequences of the failed Darien colony were one of the main reasons why Scotland was forced into Union with England in 1707.
The name of the town of Darien in Georgia commemorates this tragic episode in Scotland’s history. In this illustrated lecture, Professor Andrew Prescott of King’s College London will tell the story of the Darien venture through pictures of contemporary documents, books and artifacts recording Scotland’s forgotten Empire.

A reception will follow.

Members: $15
Nonmembers: $20
Students w/ ID: $10

SWEETGRASS BASKET WEAVING October 22, 2-5 pm.

Yvonne Grover will instruct participants in the art of basket weaving with locally collected sweetgrass. Each will be provided materials to make a basket.

Materials cost: $35/person. Limited seating, prepay on line, or send check to Ashantilly, PO Box 1449, Darien, GA 31305.