Anniversary of the First Siege of Augusta to be Commemorated
Day of free activities to include Revolutionary War reenactors, demonstrations, and tours at the Ezekiel Harris House

To commemorate the anniversary of the First Siege of Augusta, the 1797 Ezekiel Harris House presents a day of activities on Saturday, September 13, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the 1797 Ezekiel Harris House, located at 1822 Broad Street in Augusta.

The First Siege of Augusta was a Revolutionary Battle which occurred on the grounds of the White House Tract, near present-day Harrisburg, in September 1780. To commemorate this battle, the 1797 Ezekiel Harris House will be open free of charge to visitors and will featured guided tours of the Harris House, as well as colonial reenactors demonstrating activities such as woodcarving, hunting, trapping, sewing, and soldiering.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn the true history of the First Siege of Augusta battle and its significance in the outcome of the American Revolution. What was the White House? Where exactly did the battle occur? Were thirteen patriot soldiers really hung on the porch of the Ezekiel Harris House?? These questions and more will be answered as visitors experience the First Siege of Augusta.

The 1797 Ezekiel Harris House, known as “the finest eighteenth-century house surviving in Georgia,” is an outstanding example of early Federal style architecture and a reminder of the days when tobacco was the primary cash crop in Georgia. Following the Revolutionary War, tobacco merchant Ezekiel Harris came to Georgia to establish his own tobacco inspection station and warehouse. Harris laid out the town plan of Harrisburg, which he hoped would rival Augusta in tobacco trade. His impressive house was fully restored in 1964 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is an exceptional example of what life was like during the flourishing Federal period in Georgia.

First Siege of Augusta admission, activities, and tours are FREE! For more information on the First Siege of Augusta or other programs at the 1797 Ezekiel Harris House or the Augusta Museum of History, call (706) 722-8454.

Augusta Museum of History, the only Museum in the CSRA accredited by the American Association of Museums, was established in 1937 for the purpose of preserving and sharing the material history of Augusta and the region. From a 10,000 year-old projectile point to a 1914 locomotive, the collections chronicle a rich and fascinating past. The museum is located at 560 Reynolds Street in downtown Augusta.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm; Closed Monday

Admission: Adult: $4 • Senior: $3 • Child (6-18): $2 • Child (5 & under): Free

The 1797 Ezekiel Harris House¸ said to be “the finest eighteenth-century house surviving in Georgia”, is located at 1822 Broad Street and is an excellent example of early Federal architecture.
Hours: Guided tours every Saturday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm; Tours by appointment only Tuesday – Friday; Closed Sunday & Monday
Admission: Adult and Senior: $2 • Child: $1

Please call (706) 722-8454 for more information or visit our website www.augustamuseum.org.