About Us
Supported by the City of Jonesboro
Preservation, Education, & Celebration of the History of Clayton County, Georgia
Supported by the City of Jonesboro
At Stately Oaks we’re committed to being good stewards of all that has been handed down to us: our history, our people, our culture, as well as our physical resources. This commitment is reflected in every activity we promote, every exhibit we display, and every handshake we offer. We are a non-profit organization whose purpose is to preserve the past for the future. We are fulfilling this purpose by preserving historic buildings from throughout Clayton Country at our site named Margaret Mitchell Memorial Park. In addition to our antebellum home, the original 1839 cookhouse, the Old Bethel School, a tenant house, well house and Juddy’s Country Store complete the historic community assembled here. The re-created Creek Indian Village behind the school is a reminder of those who were here before the Europeans came.
History of Stately Oaks
Stately Oaks is an 1839 antebellum house listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its plain Greek Revival architecture is representative of the era in which it was built. It was originally constructed in 1839 by Mr. Whitmill Allen who sold his home to Robert McCord in 1858 and then moved to Tyler, Texas. The house is located in Jonesboro, GA., the very city where Scarlett had to pay the taxes on Tara. Even though Tara only existed in Margaret Mitchell’s imagination, she placed Tara in Clayton County, where she visited relatives on her great grandfather’s plantation. Many of the stories she heard as a child are in both the book and movie, Gone with the Wind. Clayton County has been named ‘The Home of Gone With the Wind’.
Just as Scarlett fought to survive the Civil War, so did Rebecca McCord who resided at Stately Oaks when the Union Army converged on Jonesboro in August 1864. We look forward to telling you about the grit and gumption of this family as well as showing you many beautiful antiques from the 1800’s.
Come and rock awhile on the front porch! Stop by Juddy’s Country Store for a bottled Coke and moon pie . . . bring back the memories of a simpler time. Arrive as visitors and depart as friends!!
In Memorium
Ret. Col. Arthur T. Carey, age 85 of Jonesboro passed away April 4, 2021. He was a member of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church. Art graduated from West Point Military Academy, became an Army Airborne Ranger, and proudly served his country for over thirty years. Decorated for his work, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with First and Second Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation, the Air Medal with Six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the General Staff Badge. During his service he also earned a Master’s Degree in Military History from Scranton University in Pennsylvania. In retirement he continued his legacy of service in several ways. He helped fellow retirees and active military personnel as the president of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)—Atlanta Chapter. He successfully lobbied for changes reducing educational challenges affecting the children of military families. He encouraged a love of history by serving as president of the Civil War Round Table and volunteering at Stately Oaks Plantation, the inspiration for the novel Gone with the Wind, dramatically bringing history to life dressed as a Union colonel. When not serving others, he traveled with his beloved wife and sailed on Lake Lanier—an odd pastime for an old soldier who always proclaimed “Go Army, Beat Navy” at every opportunity. Art was preceded in death by his wife: Alice M. Carey. He is survived by his children: Arthur “Tom” (Tammy) Carey of Booneville, MS., Victoria Catherine Perrett of Savannah and Cynthia Ann (Robin) Owens of Greer, S.C., grandchildren: Lois Lucinda (Timothy) Robinson, Jade (Braden) Willis, John Michael (Lenzi) Carey and Jasmine (Lucas) Krull and 14 great-grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church with Father John Koziol officiating. Interment Services will be at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA at 11 a.m. THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021. The family will receive friends 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to: Stately Oaks Plantation, P.O. Box 922, Jonesboro, GA 30237 or St. Vincent de Paul, St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, 591 Flint River Road, Jonesboro, GA, 30238.
770-473-0197
100 Carriage Ln, Jonesboro, GA 30236
PO Box 922, Jonesboro, GA 30237
Fridays 12pm - 4pm