Currently inside Upson Historical Society’s Pettigrew-White-Stamps House, which has been transformed to appear like a home would in the 1940s, is an intriguing exhibition focused on life in the mill villages surrounding World War II.
As one enters the home on the now enclosed porch, vibrantly colored walls and trim lead guests through the main hallway, two parlor-style rooms, a bedroom, the added kitchen, and dining area. While some areas include display cases of local artifacts and history lessons, others are arranged to replicate the lifestyle of Thomastonians during the ‘40s, down to the items one may have placed on their nightstand.
In the kitchen, now painted a bright yellow with red trim, viewers will find authentic appliances and cookware, including an electric waffle maker.
In the dining space, examples of time-relevant dishes are presented on the table. While overseas, soldiers were often presented with rations of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, instant coffee, chewing gum, sardines, and SPAM, which are all on display. Beside the dinner table is a shelf of related dishes and cooking books, including a 1936 Mrs. S.R. Dull’s Cooking School cookbook, sponsored by the local John Houston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Between the dining area and the front rooms are a passthrough with multiple pieces of pottery made in Jugtown on the northeast side of Upson County. According to officials, about 50 families along Potato Creek made Jugtown pottery for more than 100 years using clay from the creek’s swampy bed. While some jugs were used during prohibition, other products created include marbles, face jugs, ring jugs, and grave pots.
One room is dedicated to the history of Silvertown and East Thomaston mill villages. Alongside photographs, informational panels, original house plans, and fun finds is the wedding dress of Edna Pryor, who married John Dickens in July 1945 at East Thomaston Baptist Church.
The main parlor room includes relevant furniture, including chairs, tables, and bookcases, which are adorned with local artifacts, books from local authors, magazines printed in the 40s, and other panels displaying nationally significant history.
Making way to the end of the tour is a model WWII bedroom, including locally sourced quilts which are rotated frequently to avoid damage. During the ‘40s, fabric, paint, and linoleum were the available tools for interior decorating during the war. Rationing made other items like new furniture unavailable for consumers, so people generally chose bright colors to make their homes more cheerful in tough times, according to UHS officials. Even bathrooms had bold colors such as Kelly greens mixed with canary yellows.
Bright, bold wallpaper, floral fabric curtains, and reconfigured furniture were present in most homes. For instance, some converted a baby changing table into a ladies’ dressing table for makeup and hair.
After the war, people often looked for inexpensive modern furniture, deemed “less fussy,” with simple lines and futuristic looks, bringing the “modernism” style to life.
With endless historical facts and finds available at the PWS House, one can only truly appreciate the hard work of UHS members and volunteers by visiting the site, and the exhibition will be available for the next three months.
The house is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or on other days by appointment. Officials ask that large groups interested in visiting call 706-601-3610 to schedule a tour in advance.
UHS Director Cindy Bowden shared a tentative schedule of 2024 events hosted by the society.
During April, the society intends to be present at the third annual Thomaston Art & Soul Fest and host “The Plantation Teen Club” in Upson in the late 1960s, a presentation by Mickey Thrasher and Greg Wilson.
May’s events include a mother-daughter tea, an UHS member picnic, and a booth at the annual Emancipation Day Celebration.
In June and July, the society will host a “brunch in the 1940s” fundraiser and a macrame workshop.
Additional events that the society will either be a part of or host throughout the end of the year include a pottery workshop, an October gala, a Veteran’s Day program in November, and a Christmas card and natural décor workshop in December.
For more information, visit upsonhistoricalsociety.org.