MOULTRIE, Ga. — Magnolia Garden Club visited the Pope’s House Museum recently in Grady County.

Dan and Michelle Dean own the property now and are renovating it back to the original plan.

Laura Pope Forester who was the original owner, was born in 1873 and died in 1953.  She was an American self-taught artist who was notable for creating a large folk art enviroment of high artistic quality among her rural residence and her store.  The museum is filled  with numerous art work painted on homemade canvases of stretched flour sacks or painted  on the walls.

In addition to the numerous statues on the grounds, the exterior wall still stands at the Pope Museum. She sculpted an elaborate life size nurse on a slab of marble listing the names of all the Grady County boys who died in World War I.  There are other sculptures along the wall and on the grounds. The home and property are currently under review by the Georgia Department  of Historic Places.

This was an exciting and interesting visit to the Pope’s House Museum.  We toured the home and the grounds and were amazed at the art work, inside and outside of the house. Michelle shared the history of the home and gardens as we entered the house and gardens,

We did not have time to visit the Pope Store Museum. That sure will be another visit.

Ruby Bowermeister, chaplain, had a short devotion and blessing  at the Phillips’ home.  

Her topic was on “Depression,” and her text was from Psalms 41: 7-10.

Faye Rowe, president, held a short business meeting. Lorena Barhite handed out the new Year Books.

Plans were made for the coming year and it seems to be an exciting year ahead.

Mary Phillips hosted the annual garden club meeting at her lovely home near Cairo.  Chicken and dresing, p[otato salad, broccoli casserole, green beans, sweet potato fries, cabbage salad and a host of delicious desserts were served along with tea and coffee.

Those attending the luncheon were Faye Rowe, Lorena Barhite, Grace O’Kelley, Peggy Strickland, Ruby Bowermeister, Lu Clark, Joyce Berg, Zoe Campbell and Mary Phillips.