The Way It Was is a changing exhibit of historic images that document the
history of our Northeast Georgia region. Grouped around a central theme
these images provide a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of those who
came before us.
Many of the images are taken from the archival photograph files from
the Ramsay Photography studio of Gainesville, Georgia which was the premier
studio from 1908 until the 1950’s. This rich photographic resource
contains hundreds of images documenting many aspects of life in our region.
Portraits of children, adults, military men, and wedding couples are included
as are such diverse groups as garden clubs, sporting teams from the textile
mills, and country officials. While most of these images are identified,
the Northeast Georgia History Center has been working with the Gainesville
Times to identify many of the others.
Other images in our collection include historic post cards, early maps,
land lottery deeds, and Sanborn Insurance maps. The historic post cards
are especially useful in providing a glimpse of early life over a period
of time. Our collection spans some hundreds years of and ever changing
Northeast Georgia.
The current exhibit is entitled a “Love of Sport”. Included
are images of sporting activities spanning over eighty years. Included
are the Nacoochee Valley baseball team of 1920, the Gainesville High basketball
team of 1917, the Fair Street High School marching band of 1954, and the
Chicopee Mills baseball team of 1955 among many others. This exhibit also
serves as an excellent introduction into our Sports Hall of Fame.
