History buffs, community leaders and preservationists will team up with the Civil War Trust at more than 130 sites in 30 states to answer the call to service on Park Day, April 1. Celebrating over 20 successful years, Park Day has attracted volunteers of all ages and abilities bound by their dedication to serving their communities at historic sites nationwide.
In Dalton, the Prater’s Mill Historic Site will host a Park Day event beginning at 9 a.m. Needs range from trash and limb pickup to sweeping, dusting, and cleaning buildings. Refreshments will be provided free of charge. A local historian may also be available to describe the park’s significance.
Volunteers should come dressed to work and bring work gloves, garden tools, pruning shears, shovel, etc.
For more information about Park Day at the Prater’s Mill Historic Site, please contact by phone at 706.694-6455 or by e-mail at info@pratersmill.org.
The Civil War Trust is the largest and most effective nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of America’s hallowed battlegrounds. Although primarily focused on the protection of Civil War battlefields, through its Campaign 1776 initiative, the Trust also seeks to save the battlefields connected to the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. To date, the Trust has preserved close to 45,000 acres of battlefield land in 23 states. Learn more at Civilwar.org.
Prater’s Mill Historic Site sits on the banks of the Coahulla Creek in northwest Whitfield County. Included at the site are a working grist mill built in 1855, 1898 general store, 1915 Shugart cotton gin, 1935 Westbrook barn, Dr. John Lacewell’s 1890 office, and 1974 train caboose and other historic structures. It is managed and operated by the Prater’s Mill Foundation with a mission “to protect, preserve and present the heritage of the Prater’s Mill site for future generations”. Today the annual “Country Fair”, an arts & crafts festival, is held on the site along with many weddings, family reunions, and other events. Learn more at PratersMill.org.
For a complete list of participating Park Day Sites, visit Civilwar.org/parkday.
Volunteers can participate in Park Day online using #ParkDay2017.