Sandersville – Culture, History and Markets

Sandersville combines tangible history, regional markets, architecture and events to create a diverse travel destination. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Sandersville can plan their stay around museums, historic sites and seasonal events. At the same time, its location offers opportunities for a trip to Hamburg State Park, which lies 20 miles north of Sandersville.

History in Museums and Historic Sites

The Brown House Museum brings together several facets of local history. Exhibits include Civil War memorabilia, pottery from Washington County, displays on the kaolin industry and artefacts from the Sandersville Old City Cemetery. The cemetery was established around 1831 and contains more than 100 identified graves of Civil War soldiers. The old road route also has historical significance: General William T. Sherman and his troops used it when they reached Sandersville.

The Thomas Jefferson Elder Community Center stands on the original site of the Elder School. This was where education for African American children in Washington County was first established. Today, the center displays African American artefacts, archives and memorabilia. The building is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For travelers who want to learn about history not only through general dates, but through places, objects and personal memories, it offers several different points of access.

The historic features of the Old Jail Museum include old jail cells with their original locking mechanisms and graffiti left by former prisoners. A genealogy research center also provides an opportunity to explore your own family history. This makes it possible to combine a museum visit with a personal research interest.

Architecture and Tours

Sandersville showcases examples of Victorian, Greek Revival, Antebellum, Plantation Plain and Craftsman architecture. On Silk Stocking Street, visitors can walk along the street and request a recorded tour. The Charles E. Choate Exhibit also offers a self-guided tour of buildings designed by Choate in Sandersville and Tennille. The largest concentration of his work is found in these two communities. Those interested in architectural history can therefore incorporate various architectural themes into their travel plans without limiting their stay to a single museum.

Festivals and Regional Markets

The annual Kaolin Festival takes place on the second Saturday in October. The program includes art, crafts, antiques, music, food and a parade. In December, Christmas on the Square is held on the first Thursday of the month. The family-oriented event includes Christmas carolers, Santa Claus, carriage rides, a children's parade, and food and craft vendors.

The markets also offer insight into the regional side of Sandersville. The Downtown Farmers Market offers produce from Washington County and distinctive crafts in the central downtown square. The market runs from the first weekend in March through the second weekend in December. The Washington County Farmers Market complements this offering with local produce, flowers, plants, homemade preserves and spreads, as well as cakes and pies. The Fall Line Artist Guild also creates an atmosphere for artistic expression; Washington County's active arts community showcases photography, painting, pottery, textile art and woodwork, among other forms.

Planning Sandersville as a Base

When choosing your accommodation, it is worth deciding in advance what kind of travel focus you want. If museums, historic buildings, markets and festivals are the main attractions, searching for a holiday apartment in Sandersville is a suitable way to stay close to these experiences. Those who also want to include Hamburg State Park should take into account its location 20 miles north of the town. The park can be reached via Hamburg State Park Road from Georgia State Route 102. This allows you to consciously incorporate cultural discoveries in town and an excursion into the surrounding area into your travel plans.

For the overarching travel overview: Washington County.