In the early 1980’s, a group of Powder Springs citizens with an interest in historic preservation, genealogy and the history of the community, formed the Seven Springs Historical Society. Under the leadership of Sarah Frances Miller, a retired teacher from the Powder Springs School, the Historical Society opened a museum in Powder Spring’s city park on Brownsville Road in 1985. Miss Miller served as its curator.
This house belonged to George Landers and was donated by the Landers family in 1984 and moved, with the city’s help and volunteers, to the park to house the new history museum. The house previously sat on the corner of Atlanta and Marchman Streets. However, before it could be moved, all the brick had to be removed and then cut in two and moved in sections. Once it was relocated to the park, it was renovated and restored to accommodate the needs of the museum. The windows across the front were original to the house. It was decided not to put the other windows back so that there would be more wall space inside to display the historical items that were donated to the museum. The house was not rebricked but was made to resemble a log cabin.
According to Miss Miller: The Powder Springs Board of Industry provided money that was used to buy antiques from local merchants to furnish the building; discounts on building materials and carpets were given by local citizens; over a hundred books were provided by local businesses; the Cobb County Parks Department landscaped the premises and the county paved the parking lot. The Mimosa Garden Club would maintain the flower beds and gardens for many years afterwards.
The Seven Springs Historical Society had been collecting various items from family members and local families with the dream of a museum to house the artifacts and preserve the history of the community. Once the Museum was open, more donations were received and displayed for others to enjoy.
The Museum housed a collection representative of Powder Springs history from the Cherokee and Creek times to the closing of the Clarkdale Thread Mill. This included an extensive collection of the farm implements along with a buggy and wagon from the early 1900’s. A large barn type building was built to accommodate much of this collection. The larger farm equipment was displayed on the grounds around the Museum. There were furnishings and appliances of an early 1900’s farmhouse, the Atlantic Seaboard and Southern Railroad, cotton farming and clubs such as Pushrods Hot Rod Club and baseball in Powder Springs.
The Museum also contained a special collection of Native American and Civil War artifacts, many of which were found locally by the Historical Society members. Also, an archived collection of photographs and documents representing many of Powder Springs’ families and businesses’.
In 2009 a hurricane caused wide spread flooding throughout the state of Georgia, causing large scale damage to many residences and the businesses’ of the area. This included the Museum. The building had high water inside causing much damage to the building itself as well as to many of the artifacts. However, many items were saved with the city’s help and the help of volunteers. The building was repaired and the cleaning of the items that were saved began and put back on display.
In October of 2015, the Seven Springs Museum moved into its new location on Marietta Street in the Bodiford House. The Bodiford house is a two story Queen Anne Style home and is one of the oldest houses in Powder Springs. The house was originally a four room, two story bungalow built in the mid 1800’s. These four rooms, the foundation and chimney reflect this early home. The Queen Anne style addition was made in the early 1900’s.
The City had the opportunity to purchase the house and property from the Bodiford Estate in 2014. This purchase was made, not only to save and preserve the house, but to move and house the Museum into the beautiful home. Therefore, preserving the early history of Powder Springs and its pioneers.
The Bodiford House then underwent a thorough rehabilitation, renovation and upgrade process to meet building codes and safely support the use as a Museum and open to the public. The house is maintained by the city.
New mechanical systems, ADA Ramp, fire escape and bathroom upgrades were done. The exterior remained pretty much as it was with only repairs to the porch and some painting. The interior finishes were restored and retained, including the magnificent staircase, fireplaces, wood floors, fixtures, doors and door casings, kitchen cabinets and equipment (circa1940’s – 1950’s) and a claw foot tub (non-functional). A non-original wall intersecting the hallway was removed. The historical light fixtures, original to the house, were upgraded for modern use. The yards were newly landscaped and are currently maintained by the city.
A Carriage House was built, replacing the old unusable original garage, to compliment the house. The Carriage House would house the farm equipment and instruments. The larger equipment would be placed about the property below the house under the trees.
In September of 2015, the Historical Society and volunteers began the packing, boxing and labeling of all the artifacts in preparation for the move. Maintenance and repairs were done to the farm equipment as needed.
The city provided the movers who took care of all the large items such as the furniture, glass display cases and large farm equipment. Everything was then moved to the Bodiford House and unloaded into their respective designated rooms previously assigned by the Historical Society. Now the unpacking, arranging and displaying the artifacts started to make sure everything was ready for the public to visit and a grand opening could be planned.
The Bodiford House is now renovated and converted to the Seven Springs Museum, which would then be the Seven Springs Museum at the Bodiford House. The dedication and grand opening of the Museum was then held on October 11, 2015.
The Historical Society and other volunteers have worked diligently over the years to collect these items, maintain the collections, update exhibits and educate the community on Powder Springs’ history from its earliest settlement.
In the spring of 2024, the Seven Springs Museum and Historical Society began plans to revitalize the outdoor farm equipment on display. It was now over 100 years old and had not been repaired since relocating to the Bodiford House in 2015. A request went out to the youth organizations of the community to help with this project.
In October a response was received that there was a Scout who needed a project to complete their rank of Eagle Scout. Our project met the criteria for such a project. The Historical Society began working with Scout Faith Millena to accomplish this goal and help her earn Eagle Scout status. Faith led the project with actual work being done and completed in November. Under her leadership the equipment was repaired, repainted, improvements made to the displays and new signage installed. Faith was able to complete the project and earned her rank as Eagle Scout in January 2025. Great job! The equipment and displays look so much better!
A lot of this information was gathered over the years by the various Historians and Historical Society Members. Information from Sarah Frances Miller came from two editions of the Powder Springs Enterprises dated 1983 and 1988. An article published in the Landmarker, February 2007, Marietta, GA., Cobb Landmarks by Amanda Williams, Museum Assistant, Seven Springs Historical Society and Museum. All on file at the Museum.
A note of gratitude and appreciation goes to all the citizens who have made available their recollections and memorabilia to the Museum through the years to preserve the history of Powder Springs for future generations.
A special “Thank You” goes to the Mayors and City Council of Powder Springs who have made the Museum a reality and their support through the years. Especially to Mayor John O. Rogers who was instrumental in 1984 in securing the Museum’s first ‘Home’ in the Park on Brownsville Road. Also, to Mayor Patricia Vaughn in 2014 for securing the beautiful and historic Bodiford House to display our rich heritage.
As always, ‘Thank you’ to all those who continue to support Museum in keeping our history alive and growing. Come by and see all we have collected over the last forty years!! It may surprise you!