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Southern Museum Jolley Education Center

 

The Southern Museum's Jolley Education Center

Open six days a week during normal Museum
operating hours, and closed on Sundays.

Since 2008, the addition of the 8,000 square foot Jolley Education Center to the Southern Museum has entertained and enlightened children and their parents alike. The Center offers several engaging, interactive learning stations, including:

  • Southern Museum Jolley Education CenterTwo telegraph stations, where children can tap out messages in Morse Code.
  • A diesel train simulator, allowing students to be conductors and “drive” a train on their own.
  • Interactive videos describing the different job positions available on the railroad.
  • A replica “village” of 19th century downtown Kennesaw, with an open hotel and dry goods store where visitors can try on old-fashioned clothes.
  • And more!

The Jolley Education Center for Younger Kids too!

Younger children will also enjoy the provided pre-K room, which offers several fun activities including:

  • Coloring sheets
  • A “dining center”
  • A “pillow” train to climb over
  • A model transportation center with trains and automobiles
  • And more!

Southern Museum Merci BoxcarThe Merci Boxcar

An integral yet often overlooked piece of Georgia history has finally found a permanent home at the Museum's Jolley Education Center, which houses the famous Georgia Merci Boxcar.

Known as the '40 and 8' for technically being able to carry 40 men or 8 horses during World Wars I and II, the Merci Boxcar was part of the "Gratitude Train" that the people of France sent over upon completion of World War II to thank the United States for the aid provided to the battered country.

The boxcar comes to the Museum from the Fulton County branch of “La Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux,” an honor society which began following World War I for American Legion members who went above and beyond their services to the legion. The organization had been named after the boxcars as so many veterans were transported through Europe in them.

The “40 & 8” (as it is known in English) carefully preserved the boxcar until members selected the Southern Museum as its new home.

There are also quite a few items on display that were included in the boxcar:

  • An intricately carved conch shell.
  • A needlework portrait of George Washington.
  • A bracelet made entire out of French coins, with the clasp shaped like a “V” for victory.
  • War medals and decorations.

The boxcar is now safe within the walls of the Museum's Jolley Education Center, not only preserved from the harm of the outside elements but on display for all to enjoy and learn of the history behind it.

 

The Southern Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, is a premier metro Atlanta museum, featuring exhibits on Civil War and locomotive history. The Southern Museum is home to the General locomotive, stolen during the Civil War's Great Locomotive Chase; a reproduction of the locomotive assembly line from the Glover Machine Works; weapons, uniforms and every day items of Civil War soldiers; and the Jolley Education Center that features train history, hands-on activities for children and Georgia's French Gratitude Train.

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All contents © 2009, Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History.