| Georgetown’s downtown comes alive |
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| Thursday, 17 September 2009 | |
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Georgetown’s court house and square is charming with its beautifully painted Victorian Italianate buildings known as Commercial Row. Across the square is a block of buildings from the 1828 to 1850 era called Federal Row. Combined with all the hanging baskets and flower boxes, the town square is delightful. The city made the most of its extraordinary heritage and citizens have a right to be proud. They restored, preserved and presented their history with great pride and care. The “Land of Grant” has the U.S. Grant Homestead and Grant School House as part of the town history. The Homestead was the boyhood home of Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War general and 18th president of the United States. Grant attended the school as a boy. The U.S. Grant Homestead is a National Historic Landmark, a rare distinction, and draws visitors from all over the world. It is also a museum with furniture, Civil War artifacts and items from the 1800s. The animatronic presentation, an animated replica of young Ulysses Grant, tells some of the story in Ulysses’ own words. It is helpful for all, but especially holds the attention of children. Tour groups and school groups are welcome. Homestead and school combination ticket is $3 for adults, $1 for children. Jesse Grant’s Tannery, owned by Grant’s father and where young Grant worked, is across the street. It is now a private home. Ulysses drove freight wagons for his father and enjoyed seeing new territory. He was well-traveled compared to other teenagers. He also learned how to handle horses. He became known for his outstanding horsemanship. The animated Ulysses tells the story of when he and other friends were at an event where audience members were offered five dollars if they could ride a difficult horse. There was nothing to hang onto, not even a mane. No one could ride the horse but Ulysses and he won the five dollars. Half a block away is the Bailey House Bed and Breakfast where Grant spent time during his youth. It was partly through relationships with the Bailey family that he became interested in applying for the United States Military Academy at West Point. The outstanding Grant Celebration, held on the courthouse square and at the Grant Homestead, is the fourth weekend of April. The community celebrates their heritage with a “series of events, demonstrations and living history presentations.” Highlights include the re-creation of the dramatic Morgan’s Raid in downtown Georgetown, the Ladies’ Afternoon Tea and Grand Ball. The Gaslight Theatre, built in 1907, presented “minstrel shows, vaudeville shows and famous New York City productions”. After raising half a million dollars in 1999, the community restored the theatre to its “original splendor”. In the twenties, it was “the first place in town to show ‘all talking films’”. It is now enjoyed as “a cultural hub for not just the village of Georgetown, but also for Brown County and Southwestern Ohio”. The bottom half of the theatre building houses the Village of Georgetown city government. The Thompson House Gallery, built in 1836, is also on the historic walking tour. It is just off the square and is the art gallery for wildlife artist, John Ruthven. The gallery is open by chance or by appointment. Call 1-800-892-3586. John Ruthven’s work can be ordered online at Ruthven.com. The Brown County Genealogical Library and Brown County Historical Society, built in 1870, are located in the Old Jail House. Brown County also has a Quilt Barn Tour. Those on the tour often take in the covered bridges too. For quilters, there is a large quilt shop on the square called School House Quilts. Many events are held on the city square including the free Court House Square Concert series, Patriotic Pooch Parade and Ice Cream Social. The Court House Open Air Market is open Saturday from 9 to 1 all summer through September. A juried Quilt and Fiber Show will be held September 12th and the Chili Cook-off is September 26th Stop in at the various shops, stores, businesses, eating places , wonderful historical sites and many events that make this “restored 19th century vintage town” an extraordinary Southern Ohio visit. If You Go Self-guided walking, driving and quilt barn tour brochures and other Georgetown and Brown County information are available at: • Department of Tourism Address: 740 Mount Orab Pike, Georgetown, Ohio 45121 Phone: 937-378-1970 Email: browncountytourism.com • Village of Georgetown: Address: Located in the Gaslight Theatre, 301 S. Main Street, Georgetown, 45121 Phone: 937.378.6395, Hours: Open Mon-Fri Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it • Brown County Chamber of Commerce: Address: 110 East State Street, Georgetown, Ohio 45121 Phone: 937-378-4784 email: no website, for information: http://www.villagegeorgetown.com |
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