Georgia College and State University (Old Governors Mansion, GA)

The Old Governor's Mansion will implement "Burning Misperceptions: The Truth About Sherman, Emancipation, and Reconstruction in Georgia's Antebellum Capital," a project aiming to address gaps of understanding surrounding key aspects of the American Civil War among rural community stakeholders. Through guided interpretations, exhibits, film series with moderated panel discussions, and keynote lectures, the project will focus on facts relating to (1) the extent to which the issues of slavery and states' rights initiated the war, (2) details surrounding General William T. Sherman's "March to the Sea," (3) the extent to which African American soldiers fought as soldiers on the battlefield, and (4) the impact of Reconstruction on the newly-liberated African American population of the South. "Burning Misperceptions" will contribute to the body of best practices literature regarding museum education and interpretation, and will help identify effective outreach strategies for museums in rural areas as a way to increase visitation and enhance a museum's standing as a regional and cultural asset.