History of the Cave Spring Historical Society
Winifred Morrow (formerly Winifred Williams in Historical Society records)
The Cave Spring Historical Society met for the first time on August 11, 1975. More than 106 people attended. Those 106 signed up to join, and there were others present. We sat in chairs in front of the Hearn Classroom Building in Rolater Park, here in Cave Spring. The person who organized this gathering was John Lindsey, brother of Tom Lindsey and Vicki Abernathy, and son of Dewel and Martha K. Lindsey. He also gave the organization its name. I was the only other person who heard him say that name for the first time, while we were in conversation about saving the Hearn Building from being taken down by the Rolater Park Board. We were standing inside my gift store, The Park Bench, that Becky Davis and I had started together in 1973. It was located inside the Hearn Building in the old Library room on the right, where visitors to the Park came in to buy handmade items, and who more often than not made comments on the beauty and value of the historic structure. I said to John that we ought to get people together to save the building, and he responded with the name, then just went out and did it. A few days after August 11, two men came in the building, and I overheard one showing the other the fine wood trim as good to save and reuse. I was able to tell them that a big group of people were organizing to save the building.
John knew Diane Dawson, who had moved into Cave Spring, and, with her husband, Jim, was restoring the old Dickerson house on Alabama Street. He also knew nearly the whole town because of his family owning and operating the Cave Spring Hardware Store. He told me she had been talking to him about the treasure that we had in all the historic structures still intact at that time in Cave Spring. She agreed to come talk to the people at this August gathering. I remember that one of the first things she said was, “Well, I don’t know what I’m doing up here”, and proceeded to tell the assembly her belief that the building behind us could be saved. I echoed what she said before I told about all the people who had come in the Park Bench, saying good things about that building.
Then Jack Brewer got up, and said, “Well, everybody says they don’t know what they’re doing up here, but I know what I’m up here for, and that’s to save this building!” He received a great round of applause. Diane was elected president of the brand new organization, and I was in full agreement. She came across well, and seemed to have a lot of knowledge about how to go about restoring buildings.
After our first meetings and getting organized, I was asked to chair the Board of Directors. The first directors were to oversee the business of the Society, and the membership made the decisions. The officers were part of the Board, and the President presided at most meetings. As with all new organizations, there was a lot of support in the beginning, but a small core remained that managed getting things done. Many in the community still supported us and together we quickly raised money to put a roof on the Hearn Building.
After the roof was secure, done by the Brewer and Summerlin Construction Company of Cave Spring, Diane, standing with us on the front steps of the building, pointed out that the other Hearn School building, the old dorm, was really older than the classroom building, and ought to be restored, too. We visited over there, and walking in were invited into the living quarters of Marie and Gordon? Draves, who lived to the left of the front door. In one room could be seen a huge accumulation of water inside plastic that was sagging almost to the floor with the weight of the water. We could see the sky in one place, from the front hall. Diane’s vision of how it would look restored was contagious, so we tackled that building next. There were lots of people who thought we were absolutely crazy, and lots more who wanted to see Cave Spring history saved.
Diane, in the meantime, had started to work for the City. She was instrumental in having Cave Spring become a Mainstreet Community. Under Diane’s leadership, those who could pitched in to watch the First Offenders, who had been sentenced to serve the community, and requested by the City of Cave Spring from Floyd County. Between Diane and her husband, Jim, they gave these kids such a sense of pride working on the old Hearn dorm, that when one of them set fire to it in angry retaliation for perceived poor treatment from a watching volunteer, another called him down and put out the fire. (The fire was set behind the door in the first room on the right.)
Jim Dawson was able to design the bell tower from looking at an old photo of the dorm. I was in the bell tower once, I hope to help, when Diane, hanging onto one window trying to paint outside, lost her footing, and couldn’t gain purchase on the plastic put down to keep paint off the roof. I grabbed her other hand, but couldn’t do anything but hold on and yell for Jim. He finally heard us and scrambled up there, and pulled her back in, fussing at her, then realizing he had stepped on a nail in the process. I was shaken to my very core!
I don’t know who suggested that the dorm become a bed and breakfast but it was unanimous to do it, because, as we had learned, every restored structure needed to be able to support itself. We also decided to furnish the dorm with period furniture as nearly as possible, as a way to preserve the history of it and part in Cave Spring’s history, and according to our purposes. Within six weeks of the dorm structure being finished, every room was furnished. Each room was donated by different individuals and entities. Plaques were placed on each door to note who donated what room. A friend of Diane’s was a weaver, and he made coverlets for the beds in the style that would have been done during the era of the dorm. The same type of plants that would have been seen then, were placed around the outside. Diane discovered that the back part of what is now the Inn, was older than the rest, and was quite possibly moved there to add space. We wondered if it had been a part of the boy’s dorm across the street that had burned.
To raise money to get a B & B going, Emmalee Highnote and Martha K. Lindsey, catered meals and parties in the two dining rooms. They spent many hours transporting their own linens, china, and flatware to appoint the tables, on many well-received occasions, raising enough to fill the kitchen and dress the beds with everything needed for the bed and breakfast. Diane made sure that a list of contributors was put together and framed for the grand opening. (Could that have been in October of 1976? I know it was fast.)
Other fundraising was done by rummage sales in the town square, pintos and cornbread at someone else’s fundraisers, and, of course, the play, put on in the GSD auditorium. It was to a packed house, directed by Don Rudesil (?) from Rome, a member of the Rome Little Theatre. The play was written by Bruce Wingo, and titled “The War Comes to Prior Station”. It was put on in 1977. Those actors I remember were Tom Lindsey, Ann George, Ted Barnett, Don Davis, Bruce Wingo, Ron Bussler, Diane Dawson, Joe Bill Campbell, Paul Whorton?, and maybe Bobby George. June Campbell, and Carol Kerr Bryant (her name at the time) helped backstage. I was the producer. Frank Bryant made part of the set, and I remember Jim Perry helping. There were others who took up money, etc.
In June of 1976, Becky Davis, and Diane, with some assistance from others, headed the 2nd annual Cave Spring Country Festival, later, Cave Spring Arts Festival, with volunteers from the community. The first Country Festival was held in Rolater Park in the Fall of 1974, so it was suggested that we assign the one in June of 1976 to be the 2nd. It was too late in the year in 1975 to hold one for the Historical Society, and there were so many in the fall of every year, that a June one was tried. It was to always be the 2nd weekend in June, or the weekend before Father’s Day. Money from the Festival, after expenses, was designated to go to the Hearn Classroom Building, because work on that building was very slow due to its enormity, and the Hearn Inn was supporting itself.
During part of this time, one of the same far-thinking individuals who helped with the Park buildings, and went home by the Depot every day, noticed that the Depot was losing some of its decorative woodwork, and related that to Diane. Somebody, Diane, or maybe Tom Lindsey, found out that the Depot was to be sold. Our Board met up at the Depot, and decided to try to obtain it. Sara Kate Pettis asked if we were sure we wanted to do that. We said yes. She turned and walked into the middle of the street. Cars stopped for the railroad tracks, and she stood in the middle with her hand out saying, “We’re going to save the Depot. Do you want to help?” She collected about $40 on the spot. Later, the building was secured for the Society. We worked to raise money for a new roof for the Depot. I took a lot of pictures during these years when I could, and have one of Terry Caldwell and his dad, “Red”, putting down shingles. I was at UGA working on adding a 5th year certification in art to my Masters the summer the Depot was sold to Sonny Culver for about $3,000. I finished that part of my studies in 1978. Sonny later sold the Depot to Ray Tate.
Winifred Morrow (formerly Winifred Williams in Historical Society records)
The Cave Spring Historical Society met for the first time on August 11, 1975. More than 106 people attended. Those 106 signed up to join, and there were others present. We sat in chairs in front of the Hearn Classroom Building in Rolater Park, here in Cave Spring. The person who organized this gathering was John Lindsey, brother of Tom Lindsey and Vicki Abernathy, and son of Dewel and Martha K. Lindsey. He also gave the organization its name. I was the only other person who heard him say that name for the first time, while we were in conversation about saving the Hearn Building from being taken down by the Rolater Park Board. We were standing inside my gift store, The Park Bench, that Becky Davis and I had started together in 1973. It was located inside the Hearn Building in the old Library room on the right, where visitors to the Park came in to buy handmade items, and who more often than not made comments on the beauty and value of the historic structure. I said to John that we ought to get people together to save the building, and he responded with the name, then just went out and did it. A few days after August 11, two men came in the building, and I overheard one showing the other the fine wood trim as good to save and reuse. I was able to tell them that a big group of people were organizing to save the building.
John knew Diane Dawson, who had moved into Cave Spring, and, with her husband, Jim, was restoring the old Dickerson house on Alabama Street. He also knew nearly the whole town because of his family owning and operating the Cave Spring Hardware Store. He told me she had been talking to him about the treasure that we had in all the historic structures still intact at that time in Cave Spring. She agreed to come talk to the people at this August gathering. I remember that one of the first things she said was, “Well, I don’t know what I’m doing up here”, and proceeded to tell the assembly her belief that the building behind us could be saved. I echoed what she said before I told about all the people who had come in the Park Bench, saying good things about that building.
Then Jack Brewer got up, and said, “Well, everybody says they don’t know what they’re doing up here, but I know what I’m up here for, and that’s to save this building!” He received a great round of applause. Diane was elected president of the brand new organization, and I was in full agreement. She came across well, and seemed to have a lot of knowledge about how to go about restoring buildings.
After our first meetings and getting organized, I was asked to chair the Board of Directors. The first directors were to oversee the business of the Society, and the membership made the decisions. The officers were part of the Board, and the President presided at most meetings. As with all new organizations, there was a lot of support in the beginning, but a small core remained that managed getting things done. Many in the community still supported us and together we quickly raised money to put a roof on the Hearn Building.
After the roof was secure, done by the Brewer and Summerlin Construction Company of Cave Spring, Diane, standing with us on the front steps of the building, pointed out that the other Hearn School building, the old dorm, was really older than the classroom building, and ought to be restored, too. We visited over there, and walking in were invited into the living quarters of Marie and Gordon? Draves, who lived to the left of the front door. In one room could be seen a huge accumulation of water inside plastic that was sagging almost to the floor with the weight of the water. We could see the sky in one place, from the front hall. Diane’s vision of how it would look restored was contagious, so we tackled that building next. There were lots of people who thought we were absolutely crazy, and lots more who wanted to see Cave Spring history saved.
Diane, in the meantime, had started to work for the City. She was instrumental in having Cave Spring become a Mainstreet Community. Under Diane’s leadership, those who could pitched in to watch the First Offenders, who had been sentenced to serve the community, and requested by the City of Cave Spring from Floyd County. Between Diane and her husband, Jim, they gave these kids such a sense of pride working on the old Hearn dorm, that when one of them set fire to it in angry retaliation for perceived poor treatment from a watching volunteer, another called him down and put out the fire. (The fire was set behind the door in the first room on the right.)
Jim Dawson was able to design the bell tower from looking at an old photo of the dorm. I was in the bell tower once, I hope to help, when Diane, hanging onto one window trying to paint outside, lost her footing, and couldn’t gain purchase on the plastic put down to keep paint off the roof. I grabbed her other hand, but couldn’t do anything but hold on and yell for Jim. He finally heard us and scrambled up there, and pulled her back in, fussing at her, then realizing he had stepped on a nail in the process. I was shaken to my very core!
I don’t know who suggested that the dorm become a bed and breakfast but it was unanimous to do it, because, as we had learned, every restored structure needed to be able to support itself. We also decided to furnish the dorm with period furniture as nearly as possible, as a way to preserve the history of it and part in Cave Spring’s history, and according to our purposes. Within six weeks of the dorm structure being finished, every room was furnished. Each room was donated by different individuals and entities. Plaques were placed on each door to note who donated what room. A friend of Diane’s was a weaver, and he made coverlets for the beds in the style that would have been done during the era of the dorm. The same type of plants that would have been seen then, were placed around the outside. Diane discovered that the back part of what is now the Inn, was older than the rest, and was quite possibly moved there to add space. We wondered if it had been a part of the boy’s dorm across the street that had burned.
To raise money to get a B & B going, Emmalee Highnote and Martha K. Lindsey, catered meals and parties in the two dining rooms. They spent many hours transporting their own linens, china, and flatware to appoint the tables, on many well-received occasions, raising enough to fill the kitchen and dress the beds with everything needed for the bed and breakfast. Diane made sure that a list of contributors was put together and framed for the grand opening. (Could that have been in October of 1976? I know it was fast.)
Other fundraising was done by rummage sales in the town square, pintos and cornbread at someone else’s fundraisers, and, of course, the play, put on in the GSD auditorium. It was to a packed house, directed by Don Rudesil (?) from Rome, a member of the Rome Little Theatre. The play was written by Bruce Wingo, and titled “The War Comes to Prior Station”. It was put on in 1977. Those actors I remember were Tom Lindsey, Ann George, Ted Barnett, Don Davis, Bruce Wingo, Ron Bussler, Diane Dawson, Joe Bill Campbell, Paul Whorton?, and maybe Bobby George. June Campbell, and Carol Kerr Bryant (her name at the time) helped backstage. I was the producer. Frank Bryant made part of the set, and I remember Jim Perry helping. There were others who took up money, etc.
In June of 1976, Becky Davis, and Diane, with some assistance from others, headed the 2nd annual Cave Spring Country Festival, later, Cave Spring Arts Festival, with volunteers from the community. The first Country Festival was held in Rolater Park in the Fall of 1974, so it was suggested that we assign the one in June of 1976 to be the 2nd. It was too late in the year in 1975 to hold one for the Historical Society, and there were so many in the fall of every year, that a June one was tried. It was to always be the 2nd weekend in June, or the weekend before Father’s Day. Money from the Festival, after expenses, was designated to go to the Hearn Classroom Building, because work on that building was very slow due to its enormity, and the Hearn Inn was supporting itself.
During part of this time, one of the same far-thinking individuals who helped with the Park buildings, and went home by the Depot every day, noticed that the Depot was losing some of its decorative woodwork, and related that to Diane. Somebody, Diane, or maybe Tom Lindsey, found out that the Depot was to be sold. Our Board met up at the Depot, and decided to try to obtain it. Sara Kate Pettis asked if we were sure we wanted to do that. We said yes. She turned and walked into the middle of the street. Cars stopped for the railroad tracks, and she stood in the middle with her hand out saying, “We’re going to save the Depot. Do you want to help?” She collected about $40 on the spot. Later, the building was secured for the Society. We worked to raise money for a new roof for the Depot. I took a lot of pictures during these years when I could, and have one of Terry Caldwell and his dad, “Red”, putting down shingles. I was at UGA working on adding a 5th year certification in art to my Masters the summer the Depot was sold to Sonny Culver for about $3,000. I finished that part of my studies in 1978. Sonny later sold the Depot to Ray Tate.
