About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 2018)
4C Sunday, October 28, 2018 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com LOCAL Photos by AUSTIN STEELE I The Times Above: Re-enactors prepare for an event at the Piedmont Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 27. Below: Julia Grant, portrayed by Lena Fields, sits on a couch during a re-enactment event. Right: Ulysses S. Grant, portrayed by E.C. Fields, left, speaks with James Longstreet, portrayed by Thomas H. Rasmussen, on the front porch of the Piedmont Hotel. LONG ■ Continued from 1C here because we’re a museum. We’re not here to erase, we’re here to tell the story of the Civil War. We know General Longstreet because he’s a Confeder ate general, and that’s how we recognize him, but he’s much more. He became the man that he became.” Among the relics found in the Piedmont Hotel are mementos from the Civil War, including firearms and other weaponry, paint ings depicting key moments of the war, copies of docu ments from Longstreet’s career, and a bullet-hole- ridden flag. The hotel also acted as a stage for a his torical re-enactments by Living Historian Curt Fields and Longstreet Society Member Thomas H. Ras mussen portraying United States President Ulysses S. Grant and Gen. Longstreet respectively. Those in attendance were able to ask questions about Longstreet and Grant’s rela tionship, one spotlighted at the Piedmont Hotel, with Fields and Rasmussen responding in-character. The history of the items on display at the hotel cul minates in what Clarke believes to be “the most his torical thing in Gainesville and maybe Hall County,” and what the Longstreet Society hopes will be a place people will be able to turn to to learn more about the Civil War. “We want this to be a com munity center and for peo ple to learn about history,” Clarke said. “We have prob ably the biggest collection of Civil War books in Hall County. There’s also some World War II and Gaines ville history over here. We have some really incredible items from union people as well.” The Piedmont Hotel opened in 1876, acted as Longstreet’s political base and was owned by the gen eral until his death in 1904. In 1918 the two-wing, three- story building was nearly demolished entirely until a last-minute decision saved the ground floor of one wing, which was bought and repur- posed by the Longstreet Society in 1994. According to Longstreet Society found ing member and Piedmont Hotel Museum Manager Richard Pilcher, the build ing took a total of 15 years and a quarter-million dol lars in loans to renovate to its current state. “When we first got it we borrowed enough money to buy the property and replace the roof,” Pilcher said. “The roof was falling in and we put the porches back on it. Then we had to stop because we were out of money. It was probably 12 or 13 years before we came up with enough money to start again. In total I guess we bor rowed $250,000 to do this. We’re completely out of debt now and as long as I’ve got anything to do with it we’re gonna stay out of debt.” When the Piedmont Hotel isn’t hosting a Longstreet event, it can be rented for gatherings such as weddings and parties. Save Your Selfie... Some Moneyl Auto Insurance Specialist • Easy Payments • Any Driver • Any Age NEW LOCATION! 2415 OLD CORNELIA HWY., GAINESVILLE Next to Rabbittown Cafe 770-450-4500 ‘We want this to be a community center and for people to learn about history. We have probably the biggest collection of Civil War books in Hall County.’ C.J. Clarke IV The Longstreet Society •Gift baskets •Embroidery •Unique gifts •Screen printing •Balloons for all occasions •Full Service Pharmacy •Free Local Delivery •Compounding Unit Dose Packaging HiverMde fluumaqj 935 Green St., Gainesville, GA 770.532.6253 • callriversidepharmacy.com We can save you up to $2,000 on a new Trane HVACunlt 835 Oak Street, Gainesville, Georgia http://lanier-hvac.net/ Cheapest Trane in Georgia. CALL US 678-943-1351 Your Comfort is Our Priority! BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Home Services Georgia Properties COMMERCIAL DIVISION Brent Hoffman BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY | Georgia Properties Brent@BrentHoffman.com Commercial Division 500 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Suite 300, Gainesville, GA 30501 770-536-3007 Office • 770-533-6721 Direct For more information and to view additional listings, go to www.BrentHoffman.com Buy & occupy this office and enjoy the income Tremendous rental income, 100% leased—long term tenants, Stunning 6,000+/- Office Building, Historic Green Street $925,000 • 14+ private offices • 4 bathrooms • Fireplaces on both floors and stained glass window • New LED lighting throughout • 18 parking spaces—3 access points • Built in 1904—well maintained CALL ME FOR THE DETAILS
