Georgia College & State University’s Andalusia Farm partners with Vanderbilt University and the American Writer’s Museum to further education on Flannery O’Connor.
Andalusia Farm was the home to the O’Connor family and the setting of multiple short stories and novels by the American author. O’Connor was also a graduate of Georgia College & State University when it was a women’s only college.
Through Georgia College’s Interpretive Center and its Special Collections, many artifacts related to O’Connor’s childhood, family, and passions have been taken care of and put on display around the country.
“The interpretive center at Andalusia allows us to present our own exhibits and artifacts in rotation,” said Dani Schulze, interim director of Historic Museums. “Currently we have the Hidden Treasures exhibit on display that includes Flannery O’Connor’s original artwork, letters, clothes, and other items that were not previously exhibited.
That exhibit will be on display through the end of the year before it will become a new exhibit.”
Schulze has worked in museums for six years in various states. At Georgia College she worked under the former Director of Historic Museums Matt Davis and previously worked as the curator of Education and Public Engagement for the Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion and the Sallie Ellis Davis. With her promotion, she has most recently taken over Andalusia Farm.
“Generally speaking, in museums there are a lot of artifacts that tend to be in collection storage, as there is not enough space to exhibit it or the objects may not be able to be exhibited long-term due to preservation needs,” said Schulze. “So, we change out our exhibits and partner with others to give the public chances to view these artifacts.”
Vanderbilt University’s Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries will exhibit “Here, There, and Yonder: The Limitless Circle of Flannery O’Connor” through September in its Special Collections and University Archives.
“The exhibit focuses on Flannery O’Connor, her writing, and her connections to other people. It will be on display through Sept. 30 and Andalusia loaned a pen, typewriter paper, typewriter ribbon, and a photo of Caroline Gordon to the exhibit,” said Schulze.
The American Writer’s Museum will exhibit “American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture,” which will focus on the relationship between famous authors and their religious identity. This exhibit will open in November 2025.
“To represent Flannery, we have contributed a rosary and a holy water bottle,” said Schulze.
When each exhibit is completed, the items donated will be returned to Andalusia’s collections.
“Flannery O’Connor’s impact is evident in the way people research her, read her works, and come to Milledgeville to learn more about her. There are people all over the world who want to know more about her and see a piece of her, so we all work together to give people that chance,” said Schulze. “It helps to expand her legacy and potentially brings people back to Milledgeville.”