About Us

Learn more about the Historical Society and Heritage Hall

Morgan County Historical Society

The Morgan County Historical Society, Inc., a Georgia corporation, was chartered on April 17, 1968.
The Morgan County Historical Society's purpose is to stimulate interest in local and regional history, and to foster restoration and preservation of historical, natural, and cultural sites, as well as the preservation of documents, papers, and diaries. Heritage Hall is the headquarters for the Morgan County Historical Society, Inc. In addition to Heritage Hall, the Morgan County Historical Society, Inc. manages Rogers House and Rose Cottage. Please contact Heritage Hall at 706.342.9627 for more information about joining the Historical Society.

About Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall, a previously private residence, was donated in 1977 to the Morgan County Historical Society by Mrs. Sue Reid Manley Law in memory of her grandmother.

This Greek Revival home was built in 1811 and purchased in 1830 by Dr. Elijah Evans Jones, a prominent physician in Madison. Dr. Jones was also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Female College in Madison and a major shareholder in the Georgia Railroad.

The home, also known as the Jones-Turnell-Manley House, was constructed 200 feet south from its current location. The home was moved in 1909 when the owner at the time, Mr. Stephen Turnell, sold a portion of the home's acreage. The entire home was “jacked up” on logs and pulled by horses and mules to its current site. In 1923, the Turnells transformed the home into the Traveler's Inn.

Heritage Hall was a private residence until 1977. Mrs. Sue Reid Manley Law, who was married in the front parlor of the home, donated Heritage Hall to the Morgan County Historical Society, Inc., in memory of her grandmother, Mrs. Sue Reid Walton Manley, the last resident of the home.

Since 1977, Heritage Hall has been operated by the Morgan County Historical Society, Inc. Heritage Hall is open for tours Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Sunday, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Please reference the Events and Tours sections of this site for information.