Fall 2011 Sidney's Salon Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 3, 2011

Contact: Jennifer Mayer Tel: 478/742-5084 Email: jmayer@historicmacon.org

LANIER CENTER FOR LITERARY ARTS TO HOST SIDNEY’S SALONS “Civil War to Civil Rights: A History Seeks its People” MACON, Ga. — The Lanier Center for Literary Arts will kick off its upcoming Sidney’s Salon Series on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Sidney Lanier Cottage. The series, entitled “Civil War to Civil Rights: A History Seeks its People,” will include five sessions.

The first speaker, Dr. Sarah E. Gardner, professor of history and director of the Southern Studies Program at Mercer University, will speak on Oct. 11. She will discuss the important role of women during the Civil War. Gardner is the author of “Blood and Irony: Southern White Women’s Narratives of the Civil War, 1861–1937” and co-editor of “Voices of the American South.”

Conie Mac Darnell, principal of Center City Investments, will speak on Nov. 8. He will discuss stories collected for his latest project, a Civil War and Emancipation Era guide to Macon, entitled “Walking Back to Georgia.” Darnell wrote a short history of Macon for the “Macon Sketchbook” and was president of NewTown Macon from 1999–2004.

Albany Civil Rights Institute Executive Director Dr. Lee W. Formwalt will lead the salon on Dec. 13. He will discuss the transition from the Civil War to the civil rights movement.

Formwalt was a professor of history at Albany State University from 1977–1999 and was founder and editor of the Journal of Southwest Georgia History.

The fourth salon will take place on Jan. 10. The speaker for that date will be announced at a later time. The program on March 13 will feature a performance by the Albany Freedom Singers.

The series will take place in the Sidney Lanier Cottage at 935 High St. All salons will include refreshments at 5:30 p.m. prior to the programs at 6 p.m. Admission is free for Historic Macon members, $5 for non-members and $3 for students. Parking is available on the street and in the First Baptist Church parking lot on High Street.

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Lanier Center to host Sidney’s Salons, page 2

“Our Sidney’s Salon series has become a popular event, often with overflow crowds,” said Historic Macon Director of Development Janis Haley. “We are happy to showcase an amazing array of local talent and to bring in fascinating speakers from all over the Southeast. The upcoming series is not to be missed!”

About the Lanier Center for Literary Arts Sidney Lanier (1842–1881) was a writer, poet, musician, soldier and mathematician. He was born in the Sidney Lanier Cottage at 935 High St. in Macon, Ga. In honor of Lanier’s legacy, Historic Macon Foundation, the owners of the Cottage, have established the Lanier Center for Literary Arts. In addition to sponsoring writers’ workshops and other literary events, Historic Macon has a regular series of book signings. For this series, entitled Sidney’s Salons, Historic Macon invites well-known authors and bright, up and coming authors to read, answer questions and sign books. A reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.historicmacon.org or call 478/742-5084.

About Historic Macon Foundation Historic Macon Foundation is a nonprofit organization that advocates for Macon’s historic and architectural heritage, facilitates preservation and revitalization efforts in the community and educates and inspires appreciation for Macon, Ga. The Middle Georgia Historical Society and the Macon Heritage Foundation merged in 2003 to create Historic Macon Foundation. The Foundation maintains and promotes the Sidney Lanier Cottage, which is open for public visitation Monday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Macon Foundation’s offices are located in the Sidney Lanier Cottage at 935 High St., Macon, GA 31201. For more information, visit www.historicmacon.org or call 478/742-5084.

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