Published Sunday, October 05, 2008

Museum in Roscoe open weekends in October

By Jeff Bishop

The Times-Herald

If you'd like to get a little bit closer to Gone With the Wind's "Tara," the Blythewood Museum in Roscoe will be open on Saturdays and Sundays during October from noon until 4 p.m., at 4039 Roscoe Road.

"There are a lot of things from the families in Roscoe and the surrounding area," said Hammond Hatchett. "There also some Indian artifacts."

But the centerpiece of the museum is an original window from the Tara set, used in the 1939 film, "Gone With the Wind."

"It's the only existing artifact from that particular movie set that hasn't been renovated and messed up," said Carolyn Ashworth. "There's a window and shutter and it's all original, and in really good shape."

Ashworth called the Blythewood an "eclectic museum" with "all different kinds of things" that might be of interest.

"There are really all kinds of different antiques from different periods and different countries," she said.

One piece was recently chosen for display by Georgia Power during its 125th anniversary celebration.

"It's a 1940s Keystone projector," said Hatchett.

"They asked to put Wayne P. Sewell's Keystone projector in the exhibit," said Ashworth. "It's a really old projector."

Sewell was a central figure in Roscoe and for many years operated a touring theatrical production company.

Ashworth and Hatchett say they hope people will make it out to the museum during October.

"We'll be open all month," said Ashworth. "If you want to find out about the history of Roscoe and history in general, this is a good way to do it."