Georgia State Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center

The Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College, Waleska

Reinhardt College, Waleska

Adopted on June 2, 2003

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum was declared the official State of Georgia center for character education and the Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College was declared the official frontier and southeastern Indian interpretive center when Governor George E. "Sonny" Perdue signed Senate Bill No. 33 on June 2, 2003.

Georgia State Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center:
The Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College, Waleska

The Funk Heritage Center is located on the Reinhardt University campus in Waleska, Georgia. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The Center is closed on Mondays and major holidays.
Featured Collections and Exhibits in the Bennett History Museum

As you enter the Bennett History Museum, you will walk into the Childre Family Grand Lobby, a longhouse inspired by Native American architecture. You will see a wonderful award-winning film about the Southeastern Indians and visit the Hall of the Ancients, which depicts 12,000 years of Native American life through artifacts dioramas, and interactive computer programs. The story of the Trail of Tears is shown in a 4-minute film and maps. Also on display is the The Rogers Contemporary Native American Art Gallery, an extensive collection of contemporary Native American artwork, including paintings, baskets, sculpture and pottery. The Buffington Gallery presently exhibits a mural by famed artist Athos Menboni.

In our Appalachian Settlement, pioneer log cabins, a blacksmith shop and farm buildings tell the story of Georgia's early residents. Both adults and children enjoy our Nature Trail featuring many species of native plants. The Appalachian Settlement is open only to paid visitors, and its log cabins are open only for guided tours or special events.

Georgia Senate Bill No. 33

SB33/AP
03
Senate Bill 33
By: Senators Thomas of the 2nd, Hill of the 4th and Johnson of the 1st
AS PASSED

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, so as to designate The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum as an official State of Georgia center for character education; to designate the Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College as Georgia ́s official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum is a living memorial created to honor the more than one million personnel who have served in the United States Eighth Air Force since it was organized in Savannah, Georgia, in 1942; and

WHEREAS, the Eighth Air Force was established during the early days of World War II to provide the strategic air force essential to save Europe; and

WHEREAS, the original Eighth Air Force included 65 Heavy Bombardment Groups, 20 Fighter Groups, 3 Air Divisions, 4 major headquarters, and a support command with supply, maintenance, and repair depots throughout the United Kingdom; and

WHEREAS, The Mighty Eighth Air Force was the largest, most publicized of all of the air forces and was engaged in the most vicious air combat for the longest sustained period of time out of all the other major air components in this country; and

WHEREAS, The Mighty Eighth won the air war over Europe and made the successful invasion of Europe possible, and it had no peer in any category of combat activity and suffered the greatest losses of brave young men who were never turned back by enemy action; and

WHEREAS, some 350,000 men and women served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II and contributed to the greatest and most spectacular air campaigns in aviation history; and

WHEREAS, The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum emphasizes the teaching of character education through the numerous examples of courage, spirit, and sacrifice shown by the members of the Eighth Air Force; and

WHEREAS, the museum is a resource partner of the Georgia Center for Character Education and character education programming at the museum serves as a pilot program for other museums throughout this state; and

WHEREAS, the Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College in Waleska, Georgia, is a museum and pioneer village interpreting the history and culture of the southeastern Native Americans, the first inhabitants of our colony and state who contributed immeasurably to the cultural, economic, and social development of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the center interprets and exhibits paintings, sculpture, and other creative works of contemporary southeastern Indian art and includes a permanent collection of antique hand tools used in trades from rope making and shipbuilding to bookbinding; and

WHEREAS, the center offers educational programs, performances, and demonstrations that encourage the study of Native American history and culture and enhance public awareness and understanding of the valuable contributions of our native people; and

WHEREAS, the Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College is truly an outstanding asset to the people of Georgia and the visiting public, and its mission should be properly recognized.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other state symbols, is amended by adding at the end thereof new Code Sections 50-3-79 and 50-3-80 to read as follows:

"50-3-79. The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum is designated as an official State of Georgia center for character education.

50-3-80. The Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College in Waleska, Georgia, is designated as Georgia ́s official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.

Georgia Law

The law designating the Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College in Waleska as the official Georgia state Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center is found in the Georgia Code, Title 50, Chapter 3, Section 50-3-80.

TITLE 50. STATE GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER 3. STATE FLAG, SEAL, AND OTHER SYMBOLS
ARTICLE 3. OTHER STATE SYMBOLS

50-3-80.
The Funk Heritage/Bennett Center at Reinhardt College in Waleska, Georgia, is designated as Georgia's official Frontier and Southeastern Indian Interpretive Center.