About Us

President’s Column

Confessions of a History Lover

By Jeff Dufresne, President and Founding Member of the Milton Historical Society

Looking back at my childhood school days, I must confess that I was one of those students that sat in the back of the classroom and thought history class was a drag. What’s the point of learning about a bunch of names, places and dates about past events and people long dead.

Now in my third trimester of life, I’ve learned that history matters.

History provides us with… click to read more

Education

From its inception, the mission of the Milton Historical Society has been to compile knowledge of the past and share historical information with the community. Educational pursuits include:

Development of 28 historical markers under the auspices of the City of Milton. The markers recognize the homesteads of early area settlers and other historic sites. Sites were also mapped and are featured on the City of Milton’s website. VIEW MAP OF HISTORICAL MARKERS NOW

The Society regularly shares historical content with the community through our quarterly newsletters, Facebook page and popular lecture series typically hosted in Crabapple.

Preservation

The Milton Historical Society has a growing library, and a large archive of local photographs, family genealogies, news articles, and other items that are useful tools for historical research. Preservation items include:

Foster-Pearson Deeds

Our collection includes 35 early farmland deeds dating back to the1832 gold lottery.

Aubrey Morris Collection

(Courtesy of Tera Morris)

Our library contains donated copies of 140 news articles by the local historian and journalist. The articles are scanned and archived for future research.

Broadwell Building Mural

We support the preservation of buildings, objects and artifacts of historic significance, such as the restoration of the Broadwell Building mural organized by the Rucker family.

Exploration

Special projects explore and document the history of Milton for future generations. Understanding events and daily life in the past provides context for our lives today.

Ongoing in-depth research into the life of John Milton, Georgia’s first secretary of state and namesake of Old Milton County as well as the current city. John Milton was a hero of the Revolutionary War who saved the records of the State of Georgia from falling into the hands of the British. CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOHN MILTON

GIS mapping 28 Milton cemeteries added to the City of Milton’s website that depicts historic sites. This work includes descriptions and photographs of the cemeteries on church as well as private property. VIEW MAP OF CEMETERIES NOW

Milton Historical Society

Board of Directors

Jeff Dufresne, President

Jenny Doyle, Vice President

Joan Borzilleri, Secretary

Lynn Tinley, PhD, Treasurer

Mary Cronk, Membership

Mark Amick

Kathy Beck

Carl Jackson

James Farris

Byron Foster

Bill Lusk

Robert Sorcabal

Director Emeritus

Resident Historian

Bob Meyers

Connie Mashburn

Bill Lusk

Cristen and Tom Matthews

Linda and Robert Meyers

Adam Orkin

Charlie Roberts

Sarah Roberts

Donna Savas

Marsha and Kevin Spear

Karen Thurman

Kate and Ron Wallace

Kim and Dana Watkins

LIFETIME PATRONS

Amy and Mark Amick

Larry Chadwick

Patti Dubas

Josephine and Jeff Dufresne

Laura and Byron Foster

Brenda and Brett Giles

Fran Gordenker

Felton Anderson Herbert *

Johnny Herbert

* Additional $250 donated in honor of Robert Meyers

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Mark Amick

Kathy and Philip Beck

Joan Borzilleri

Norm Broadwell

Seth Chandlee

Jessica and Warren Cheely

Amy Christiansen

Josephine and Jeff Dufresne

Jim Farris

Byron Foster

Kim and Tom Gauger

Felton and Johnny Herbert

Heather and Joe Killingsworth

Bill Lusk

Connie Mashburn

Robert Meyers

Pat Miller

Curtis Mills

Adam Orkin

Mary Ann and Clarke Otten

Dawn and Keith Reed

Charlie Roberts

Sarah Roberts

Ronnie Rondem

Kevin Spear

Karen Thurman

Ron Wallace

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Lithic Genealogy Group

The William B. Orkin Foundation

Savas Digital Creations