Savannah, Ga., January 14, 2013 - The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) will unveil a new historical marker at Yamacraw Park, 565 West Bryan St. in Savannah, Ga. entitled Birthplace of John C. Frémont on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at 12:00 p.m. Frémont, the “Pathfinder" of the West and the first Republican presidential candidate in 1856, is the 2013 Georgia History Festival featured historical character. From 1842 to 1845 Frémont undertook two western expeditions surveying and mapping the Oregon Trail and Great Basin, making him a national celebrity as the celebrated "Pathfinder." He served in the United States Army during the Civil War and later served as governor of the Arizona Territory.
“John C. Frémont is a native Georgian whose impact on history went far beyond our borders,” said GHS President and CEO, Dr. W. Todd Groce. “His role as the Pathfinder was critical in Western exploration, he was a major figure in early California history, and he was one of two native Georgians to serve as generals in the U.S. Army during the Civil War.”
GHS Education Coordinator Sophia Sineath will make the keynote address.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Battlefields, this event is part of a statewide commemoration of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary. The program is conducted across the state to unveil new and recently-replaced historical markers that explore the stories of Georgia's Civil War history as lived and experienced by its people during those tumultuous and transformative years.
The Georgia Historical Society has administered Georgia's statewide marker program since 1998, erecting almost 200 historical markers across Georgia on a wide variety of subjects. Now, online mapping tools allow you to design statewide driving routes based on historical markers, while mobile apps give information about markers nearby. Visit www.georgiahistory.com for more ways to use Georgia's historical markers and experience history where it happened.
###
SAVANNAH: 501 Whitaker St., Savannah, GA 31401
ATLANTA: 260 14th St., NW, Ste. A-148, Atlanta, GA 30318
Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.