North Georgia Dulcimer Association: website

The North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association, Inc. is a voluntary organization of individuals who are interested in promoting and supporting interest in the Appalachian dulcimer. We have established geographic playing groups as a resource for sharing music, playing techniques, gaining confidence in performing, and other educational interests. The organization sponsors workshops, concerts, and festivals. We sponsor educational opportunities to increase the general awareness and appreciation in dulcimer related activities.

All dulcimer players are invited to jam at the Workshop tent, Saturday after 6 pm, Sunday after 4 pm.

Week End Gold Miners: website

 Beginning with the discovery of gold in the 1820's on what was then Cherokee Indian land, millions of dollars worth of raw gold was taken from the North Georgia mountains. Despite the countless number of miners that have passed  through the area since then, gold is still being found on a regular basis by  recreational miners today. Unfortunately, unlike the western states where public land abounds, virtually all of the gold-bearing property in Georgia is privately owned making access difficult for most individuals.

That's where the Week End Gold Miners Prospecting Club can help. Our organization is a family-oriented, non-profit corporation that gives you a place to relax, prospect for gold, visit with other prospectors and most of all, have a good time in the outdoors. On each of the properties leased by the club, members and their families are encouraged to pursue one of many exciting hobbies. Each of the properties are very rich in GOLD, GEMSTONES, artifacts and the beautiful outdoors.

Georgia Mountain Handspinners Guild

Georgia Mountain Handspinners Guild members are not just handspinners. We knit, weave, crochet, felt, and wear our finished items with pride. The Guild's purpose is to promote and continue the "feminine" heritage of spinning and to encourage the knowledge and enjoyment thereof.

The Guild meets the 2nd Saturday of every month at The Quinlan Art Center in Gainesville.

SouthEastern Bluegrass Association: website

SEBA is a non-profit organization of fans, musicians, promoters, vendors, and friends of Bluegrass music, joined together to preserve, promote, and publicize bluegrass music, performers, and activities, and to serve as an information source through our award-winning newsletter, The SEBA BREAKDOWN and the SEBA Web Site.

Georgia Appalachian Trail Club: website

The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, Inc. was organized in 1930 and is an association of individuals whose primary responsibility is the management and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. This is accomplished in cooperation with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the US Forest Service.

The Lumpkin Coalition: website

The Lumpkin Coalition was formed to facilitate projects that benefit North Georgia, Lumpkin County, its residents and visitors.  We are dedicated to preserving quality of life for all those who share it.  To this end, we support the preservation of a clean and healthy environment, responsible living, and responsible growth.

Historic Dahlonega  --  Old Jail Open for Tours on Saturday of Festival

Historical Old Jail Open for Free Tours 
On Saturday of Bear on the Square Festival

The 1884 Lumpkin County Jail & Museum will be open on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. during the Bear on the Square Mountain Festival for free tours conducted by members of the Lumpkin County Historical Society. 

The Jail, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, is located on Enota Street next to the Cannery Art Center two blocks east of Dahlonega’s Historic Public Square. The annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival is taking place in Dahlonega that weekend.

The Museum displays at the Old Jail include household items that would have been used in the 1800s and early 1900s, artifacts from daily life during those times, and vintage photographs including gold mining scenes, historical buildings and significant events. A new item in the jail is a cardboard cutout of a picture of Bill Miner (also known as the Gentleman Bandit and the Grey Fox), the most famous resident of the Historic Old Jail.

Give a Dollar to Save Our History

The American budget crisis has been especially hard on historic sites across our Nation.  Each day we hear news of site closings in places like Louisiana, Illinois, Arizona, California and of course right here at home.  So much of our Nation’s celebrated history is in jeopardy.

Last year the Dahlonega Gold Museum lost staff members and had its hours reduced due to severe budget cuts within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.  Unfortunately, the loss of revenue in GA this year is equally as dire resulting in yet another round of painful cuts.  Last year the Gold Museum was brought back to full operating hours because of a tremendous response from the local community who entered into a partnership with the DNR to help fund the site, and this year we are hoping to do the same.

The Friends of the Dahlonega Gold Museum announces their “Give a Dollar to Save Our History” campaign.  If each citizen would give just one dollar then we can once again partner with the DNR to keep the Gold Museum staffed and operating on a full schedule.  The public can contribute at the Gold Museum each day between 9am-5pm or at the Friends of the Gold Museum’s table in front of the museum during Bear on the Square weekend and each Saturday during the Appalachian Jam.

Please, give a dollar to save your history!