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Story Ideas

CONTACT:
Stephanie Robinson, Director of Marketing
800-768-3401 or (478) 743-1074, ext. 115
srobinson@maconga.org

Macon, Georgia, the city known as the "The Song and Soul of the South," holds a treasure trove of potential story ideas. The Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau is eager to assist writers by gathering information, providing photos and coordinating interviews, as requested. Below are general topics of interest with brief descriptions; please call or e-mail the MBCCVB Communications Director at any time to discuss your ideas or needs.

Architecture (over 5,550 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
Attractions (Halls of Fame, House Museums and Indian Mounds)
Events/Festivals (International Cherry Blossom Festival to Christmas in Olde Macon)
History (From Native American to Civil War to Civil Rights)
Music (Launching ground for Little Richard, Otis Redding and Allman Brothers Band)
Southern (Local personalities and legends)
Tourism/Visitors (Packaged tours and themed itineraries)

Architecture

One of the great cities of the American South, Macon has been called "a textbook of historic architecture," with 5,500 individual structures in 11 historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places - more acreage on the prestigious register than any other city in Georgia. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Macon one of America's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations." Great books for research include Macon's Treasures Remembered: The Antebellum Years, Living Macon Style and Macon Sketchbook; www.historicmacon.org also provides valuable information.

Attractions

Cannonball House, 856 Mulberry Street
Built in 1853, this Antebellum Greek Revival home was struck by a cannonball during the Stoneman's Raid in 1864; today, the cannonball rests in the hall for visitors to see. Restored with furnishings of the period and listed on the National Register of Historic Homes.

Georgia Children's Museum, 370 Cherry Street
Opened in 2005, the first phase of the museum includes an arts and media workshop, educational exhibits and a black box theatre for kids. Adults can relax with a cup of hot java in the Lost Parents Café while kids engage in hands-on activities.

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, 300 Cherry Street
Drive a NASCAR simulator, shoot hoops, kick a winning field goal or relive Hank Aaron's historic 715th home run. Learn more about Georgia athletes Jackie Robinson, Evander Holyfield, Nancy Lopez and legendary golfer Bobby Jones. The largest state sports museum in the country offers 3,000 artifacts, a 205-seat ball park theater, research library and gift shop.

Hay House, 934 Georgia Avenue
Built in the late 1850's, the Italian Renaissance Revival palazzo covers 18,000 square feet on four levels and is crowned by a three-level cupola that rises over 80 feet above ground. When constructed, the home had hot and cold running water, an intercom system, central heat and an advanced ventilation system - all comforts far ahead of the times.

Sidney Lanier Cottage, 935 High Street
The great American poet Sidney Lanier ("Marshes of Glynn," "Song of the Chattahoochee") was born here. Lanier also practiced law, served as a Confederate soldier and played flute in Baltimore's Peabody Symphony Orchestra. The Cottage hosts regular events, including Sidney's Salon gatherings.

Tubman African American Museum, 340 Walnut Street
The Local History Gallery, Military Leaders Gallery and Soul on Rice are among the 14 galleries. The Tubman features changing exhibits, frequent events and educational programs, an expansive collection of African art and pieces by Romare Bearden, Kojo Griffin, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, P. H. Polk, Annie Greene and others.

Events/Festivals

Annual events in Macon include the International Cherry Blossom Festival, Tour de Georgia, Pan African Festival, Ocmulgee Indian Celebration, Georgia State Fair, Georgia Music Week, Macon Gardens, Mansions & Moonlight, Bragg Jam and more.

History

Ocmulgee National Monument
Part of the National Park Service, Ocmulgee National Monument preserves evidence of 12,000 years of human habitation. Earthen mounds, a ceremonial earthlodge, artifacts and dioramas help tell the story of Native American life. The monument hosts the Ocmulgee Indian Celebration every September.

Rose Hill Cemetery
Established in 1840 along the Ocmulgee River, Rose Hill remains one of the oldest surviving public cemetery parks in the U.S. Duane Allman and Berry Oakley, founding members of the Allman Brothers Band, are buried here side-by-side. Also laid to rest are 600 Confederate soldiers, three Georgia governors, architect Neel Reid, author Harry Stillwell Edwards, an accused ax-murderer and Lt. Bobby, whose inscription reads "Just a Brown Dog...."

Music

A true birthplace of Soul and Southern Rock, Macon's holds a storied place in American music history. Little Richard and Otis Redding grew up in Macon and began their legendary careers here, while James Brown recorded his first single in town at WIBB. In the ‘70s, Macon's Capricorn Records introduced the Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker Band and Wet Willie to rock music fans. Revered landmarks, including a life-sized bronze statue of Otis Redding, and lively nightclubs and festivals keep the local music scene exciting.

Southern

Colorful Culinary History
Macon is home to Nu-Way Weiners, the 80-year-old hot dog stand with the trademarked misspelled sign, and Fincher's, whose Blue Ribbon bar-b-que traveled to space on a NASA mission in 1989. Mama Louise Hudson of H & H Restaurant regularly gave free plates of food to a scraggly group of starving musicians who, when they hit it big as The Allman Brothers Band, took her out on the road with them. The novel Whisper to the Black Candle tells of Anjette Lyles, a beloved Macon restaurateur who rid herself of four family members with arsenic. Macon enjoys a variety of locally owned and acclaimed restaurants, from charming bistros to down-home soul food kitchens.

Wini McQueen
Internationally acclaimed folk-art quilter, painter, textile designer, writer and social activist Wini McQueen explores her personal history, as well as the history of African and African American cultures, in her work. She developed a photocopy-transfer technique to create works of art on fabric. Her quilts are in the permanent collection at Atlanta's High Museum of Art and Macon's Museum of Arts and Sciences.

Chuck Leavell
Twiggs County tree farmer Chuck Leavell is not only a nationally recognized conservationist, but he's also been an unofficial member of the Rolling Stones for the past 25 years. Other credits include recording and/or touring with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Gov't Mule, Train and many others. A solo artist and author of two novels, Leavell's most recent project is an illustrated children's book entitled The Tree Farmer.

Tourism/Visitors

Historic Homes Tour Ticket Package
For a convenient, enjoyable and affordable way to sightsee in Macon, try getting seeing all three of Macon's historic house museums with one ticket, available at Hay House.

African American Heritage Tour
Explore historic sites and markers that preserve Macon's rich African American culture and honor significant figures in arts, business, education and religion.

Girlfriend's Getaway
The Macon-Bibb County CVB suggests Macon spas, salons, shopping, dining, attractions and nightlife to create customized itineraries that focus on relaxation and rejuvenation.

Lights On Macon
White-columned mansions and quaint Victorian cottages are illuminated on this self-guided tour of Macon's fabulous Intown Historic District