Macon Magazine

LOCAL BUZZ Honoring Macon's Bicentennial WHEN AN OLDER LADY reaches a major milestone in her long life, those who love her need to take note. The "grand old lady" of the city of Macon is about to reach the age of 200 years old, and plans are now being made to celebrate her bicentennial. The Georgia State Legislature officially chartered the town of Macon on December 22, 1822, and the new town was laid out and initially settled in the early days of 1823. To observe the bicentennial year in an appropriate fashion, Mayor Lester Miller and the Macon-Bibb County Commission have created the Bicentennial Committee. Community dynamos Alex Habersham and Wes Griffith are the co-chairs of the committee. Together they are coordinating the efforts of 20 volunteers, nominated to serve because of their knowledge of and involvement with various aspects of the city. Committee members hail from all parts of Macon and their backgrounds mirror the makeup of our population. The central goal of the Bicentennial Committee members is to tell the story of Macon to the Macon- Bibb community and beyond, to let people know the fascinating historical facts about the town and how the happenings of the past 200 years have led to the Macon of today. The kickoff event will be New Year's Eve in conjunction with the annual spectacular Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza. Plans call for 3-D video projections onto a landmark downtown building showcasing historic photographs to create the sense of dynamic action over time, a fitting introduction to the Bicentennial celebration. But how to accomplish that task? Some creative ideas are still in process, but the efforts center around a few key dates. Perhaps the most essential is the intention to focus on monthly themes of the Macon story in 2023: January will be dedicated to a survey of the full scope of the Macon story. Online, in social media and in local outlets, five authorities will share their knowledge of events and people from prehistoric times to present day. Since February is Black History Month, a group of five who relate to "Race, Ethnicity and Culture" will present to the community. In March, known in Macon as cherry blossom season, the subject will be "Music and the Arts." In April, presenters will introduce "Iconic Maconites," some of whom achieved fame and glory (and some, perhaps, notoriety) in Macon's story. In May, a survey of "Macon Businesses" through the years will be conducted. In June, the topic will be "Transportation," from the dugout canoe through steamboats and railroads to flight and the jet age. "Sports," which have always played an important role in Macon, will be featured in July. August's topic will be all the "Mayors of Macon." September, when schools traditionally began their academic year, will highlight "Education," the story of Macon's schools and colleges. In the spooky month of October, our town's "Cemeteries" will be center stage. At Thanksgiving time, in November, the subject will be "Churches and Places of Worship." And to wrap up in December, the discussion will be about "Macon's Historic Neighborhoods and Architecture." From all the history compiled during 2023, the committee plans to produce a new, more complete book of Macon history that will emulate and augment the book published to celebrate our town's Centennial in 1923. As the grand finale of the Bicentennial year, an evening of music and theater is planned at the new amphitheater currently under construction adjacent to the Macon Mall. One of the projects launched in 1923 to celebrate Macon's Centennial was the construction of a new City Auditorium. That handsome and much-used building was completed in 1925. Mimicking the idea of creating a landmark for Maconites in the coming century and beyond, the Bicentennial Committee proposes a Bicentennial Park. The committee envisions the park as a place to be enjoyed by visitors, a place of natural beauty to be enhanced with symbols of Macon history, perhaps with sculpture and fountains. Mayor Miller, the Macon-Bibb Commissioners, and the Bicentennial Committee have a goal: to inspire unity in the community and to synergize through learning from a yearlong celebration of Macon's rich history. — JIM BARFIELD 32 maconmagazine.com | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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