Supporters save park that celebrates Civil War history

IRWINVILLE, GA (WALB) - Supporters of a south Georgia state park that commemorates an event in Civil War history save the park.

Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site was in danger of closing. It's built on the site in Irwin County where Union troops captured Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

The state stopped funding the park, and the county doesn't have the money to keep it open. Supporters donated money, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans pledged up to $25,000 dollars a year to keep it open.

Supporters met with Irwin County Commissioners at the park Tuesday night. Commission Chairman Joey Whitley said, "The park had been losing money. The expenditures were more than the income, and tonight people stepped up to the plate, and they're gonna offset the losses, so we're good to go."

Supporters plan to re-activate a Friends of the Park group, and they hope to get a state grant to help pay for repairs.

State Rep. Jay Roberts also plans to ask the General Assembly to hand over the deed to the park to the county.