Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site
Nestled in the red clay hills of Georgia, this cotton plantation was owned by a single family for more than 140 years and survived Gen. Sherman's "March to the Sea." In 1847, John Fitz Jarrell built a simple heart pine house typical of most plantations and made many of the furnishings visitors see today. In 1860, the 600-acre plantation was farmed by 39 slaves. After the Civil War, John increased his land to nearly 1,000 acres farmed by former slaves. As John aged, most workers left, and the slave houses deteriorated and disappeared. After John's death, his son, Dick Jarrell, gave up teaching to return to the farm, and in 1895, he built a small house for his family that grew to 12 children. Dick diversified the farm, adding a sawmill, cotton gin, gristmill, shingle mill, planer, sugar cane press, syrup evaporator, workshop, barn and outbuildings. In 1974, his descendants donated the buildings to establish Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site.
Info & Amenities
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Hours of Operation
Thursday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday: 9:00PM - 5:00PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Admission & Fees
Adults $6.50
Child (under 6) Free
Group rates available with advance notice. please call 478-986-5172
Seniors (62+) $6.00
Youth (ages 6-17) $4.00
Facility Amenities
Free Parking, Gift Shop, Maps & Brochures Available, Parking on Site, Public Restrooms
General Information
Family-friendly
Group Amenities
Group-friendly
Near Interstate Highway
75
Special Tags
Civil War Site
Suitable for Ages
All Ages
Events
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Antique Steam Engine Demonstration
02/07/2015 - 12/05/2015
Watch one of the few remaining working Talbott stationary steam engines in operation. See if you can make the whistle blow. Explore the saw mill, grist mill, and cotton gin house that this engine once powered, and other farm buildings and houses--all original.
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After Event Cleanup
02/17/2015 - 11/10/2015
Help the rangers clean up after the various events. There are lots of things to wash up and put away. Call to participate.
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Story of Wool
04/11/2015 - 04/11/2015
See demonstration of the process of producing wool cloth from shearing the sheep, to dyeing, carding, spinning the yarn, and weaving the cloth, from "sheep to shawl." Includes hands-on activities.
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After Event Cleanup
04/14/2015 - 04/14/2015
Assist ranger and other volunteers in removing and repacking clothing items from the 100 Years of Jarrell Family Textiles Exhibit. Snacks and drinks provided. Bring lunch. Call by April 11 to participate.
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Family Farm Day
05/23/2015 - 05/23/2015
Learn about chores and skills from long ago, such as sewing, blacksmithing, woodstove cooking, gardening, woodworking and other farm activites.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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Ol' Time Independence Day at Jarrell Plantation
07/04/2015 - 07/04/2015
Put on your red, white and blue, pack a picnic, and spend a day on the farm. Hear the Declaration of Independence at noon and compete in sack race, three legged race, egg toss, and other events. Watch blacksmiths, steam engineers, quilters, and other skills of the past.
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Park Beautification Day
08/22/2015 - 08/22/2015
Volunteer to help spruce up Jarrell Plantation in preparation for upcoming special events.
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Labor Day at Jarrell Plantation
09/05/2015 - 09/05/2015
What better way to celebrate Labor Day than learning about old time labor? Enjoy old time handicraft making demonstrations, learn about how household chores were done, and try some yourself.
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Your State Parks Day: Volunteer at Jarrell Plantation
09/26/2015 - 09/26/2015
Help the rangers spruce up the herb and vegetable gardens by the Visitor Center. Learn about gardening with native shrubs, and uses of herbs while you work. Lunch will be provided by the Friends of Jarrell Plantation. Call if you plan to participate.
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Fall Vegetable Garden Planting
10/03/2015 - 10/03/2015
Volunteers can help plant the vegetable garden with turnips, collards, mustard, kale, and cabbage; harvest the remaining vegetables; and see cotton and sugar cane growing. Bring work gloves. Call ahead if you plan to participate.
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Syrup Makin' Time on the Plantation
11/07/2015 - 11/07/2015
Have you ever sipped fresh sugar cane juice, or tasted fresh cane syrup on a biscuit? Find out how past farmers made their own. Come experience syrup makin' day in the country. Watch craft making demonstrations throughout the farm, a steam engine driven cane press, boiling syrup in a huge kettle, woodstove cooking, taffy pull, and enjoy the smells, sounds, and tastes of days gone by.
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Help Prepare Griswoldville Battlefield for the Commemoration
11/17/2015 - 11/17/2015
Come help spruce up Griswoldville Battlefield in preparation for the Commemoration program. Volunteer to landscape, mow, weedeat and pick up trash. Wear work clothes, comfortable shoes, and bring gloves. Call to participate.
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Battle of Griswoldville 151st Anniversary Commemoration
11/21/2015 - 11/21/2015
Learn about the hastily planned attempt by Georgia militia to halt Union General Sherman's March to the Sea in November 1864. Civil War soldier life portrayals and Union and Confederate encampments followed with a noon memorial service and battlefield tours. Donations are appreciated to help preserve this historic site.
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Christmas Candlelight Tours of Jarrell Plantation
12/12/2015 - 12/12/2015
Take a 1/4-mile evening stroll to two of the Jarrell family homes with natural decorations and lighting, stories, entertainment around a bonfire and refreshments. Event may be cancelled due to rain or ice.
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Jarrell Plantation Candlelight Christmas
12/12/2015 - 12/12/2015
Experience an 1890's Christmas at night with natural greenery and homemade decorations while visiting two of the Jarrell Family historic homes. Then, warm up at a campfire with spiced cider and listen to stories and singing.
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