Explore History!
As we approach America 250, join us at the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Join us at Meadow Garden in 2025 and 2026 for tours, engaging programs, and family activities that celebrate American independence.
As the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Meadow Garden will explore George Walton’s role in American independence. George was an unlikely patriot who was orphaned at a young age but rose to play an important role in the founding of our country. His story helps us remember that people of every race, every faith, and every walk of life contributed to the American story.
Visitors are invited to share their own stories on “What is your American story?” cards which will be displayed in the Signers’ Room and on our website.
Special America250 tours and activities are available including:
- Inspiring Women in American History ~ Visitors will learn about the women of Meadow Garden. The signer’s wife, Dorothy Walton, and the enslaved woman, Cloe, were captured at sea by the British during the Revolution. George Walton’s granddaughter, Octavia Walton LeVert, was a travel writer and early preservationist in the 1850s. The early Georgia DAR members saved Meadow Garden from demolition and founded one of the earliest house museums. Women have always been an important part of our American Story.
- George Walton During the Revolution ~ Learn about George Walton’s pubic and military service from his rise through the ranks to his capture as a prisoner of war.
- Family Tours and Field Trips ~ For our young visitors, tours can be enriched with activities like Write like a Signer. Visitors learn about the Declaration of Independence and try their hand at quill pen writing.
- The Historic Cellar at Meadow Garden ~ Meadow Garden has recently added new interpretation in the historic cellar kitchen and weaving room. This enriched interactive content will bring greater focus to the hard work that was involved in maintaining a household during the early years of our country. The cellar also includes a wall of names honoring the enslaved.
- 250 Years of History … 125 Years of Preservation ~ Meadow Garden first opened as a house museum on November 21, 1901. Even as we celebrate America 250, we will celebrate our 125th anniversary as a house museum. Special events and tours will invite visitors to explore the discoveries in the historic structure and the fascinating work done to preserve this National Landmark.
As our nation commemorates and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Meadow Garden will welcome guests for tours Monday through Friday from 10:00 until 4:00 with tours on Saturday by request with 24 hours’ notice. Please call 706-724-4174 during our regular hours to schedule.
Tours are approximately 45 minutes but can be adapted to your interests or needs.
Meadow Garden will be closed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday following Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. The historic house will also be closed for tours September 12-15, 2024, and March 19-22. 2025.
Admission
- General Admission – $10.00
- Groups – contact us for rates
- Seniors – $8.00
- Military – $8.00
- Teachers – $8.00
- Children 6-18 – $5.00
- Children under 5 – Free
Accessibility
Our Heritage Education Center is accessible with video tour options available. Due to the historic nature of the site, Meadow Garden has original staircases with no elevator access.
Join us for a Group Tour
Group Tours and Field Trips are generally available Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. Tours are also available on Saturday by appointment with 24 hours’ notice. Discounted admission is available for groups of 10 or more.
Group tours can be adapted to your group’s interests and time constraints. We are always happy to tailor field trips for the age of the students and can provide additional hands-on displays for children.
To schedule a group tour or for more information, please get in touch with us at 706-724-4174 or director@historicmeadowgarden.org.
Group Tours
Meadow Garden welcomes groups of all ages. We can tailor the tour to your group. For tours of 10 or more, please call to schedule a time to ensure enough docents are available.
Field Trips
Meadow Garden hosts field trips for students of all ages. The cost for the historic house tour is just $3 per student! A lesson plan for George Walton, Georgia’s Founding Father is available for grades 4-12.