Georgia’s past came alive Tuesday evening as Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at The Depot Inc. welcomed community members to another installment of its long-running lecture series, Evenings with History.
Held at Allen’s Market, the event featured Attorney Joseph Sumner, who will speak about the 1540 meeting between the Muscogee Creek Peoples and Spanish soldiers and priests during the Hernando de Soto expedition in Middle Georgia.
Now in its 21st year, Evenings with History continues to draw steady crowds eager to learn more about local and regional history through accessible, engaging talks. Each lecture features a different speaker and topic, offering attendees a chance to connect with the past while gathering with neighbors in a relaxed setting.
Executive Director of Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot Lolly Brooks said the lectures have been a meaningful part of the Milledgeville community for so many years because of those who attend.
“Our supporters are really interested in learning about niche topics and there is no other program in Milledgeville like this,” she said.
Sumner’s lecture focused on early encounters between Indigenous communities and European explorers, emphasizing the Muscogee Creek Peoples’ presence and influence in Middle Georgia. Through maps, historical accounts, and storytelling, Sumner highlighted how these early interactions shaped the region’s cultural and historical landscape.
Attendees of past lectures said they often offer both education and perspective. Milledgeville resident Sarah Williams, who has attended several Evenings with History lectures, said the program deepened her understanding of local history.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, but I didn’t know much about the Muscogee presence in this area,” Williams said. “Events like this make you see familiar places in a completely new way.”
Evenings with History takes place every third Tuesday at Allen’s Market and is open to the public.
“It’s important for the Milledgeville community to learn about history in middle Georgia because you can’t know what our future will bring without knowing what our past is,” Brooks said
For more information on upcoming lectures, visit Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at The Depot Inc. or follow their local event listings.