William Harris Homestead Foundation

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Monroe, GA
William Harris Homestead Foundation

The William Harris Homestead Museum & Education Center is an award winning GA landmark in Walton Co. It is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The William Harris Homestead is an award-winning Georgia landmark. The Homestead features an 1825 log house and outbuildings, lush gardens, and stunning landscapes.

05/30/2026

Fun Fact Friday

Figs

Did you know figs were once considered both food and medicine? During the 1800s, figs were a staple in many homestead kitchens because they were easy to dry, store, and use year-round. Families enjoyed them fresh, preserved in syrup, baked into pies and puddings, or dried for winter months.

But figs weren’t just valued for their sweetness. In the 19th century, they were commonly used in home remedies as a natural aid for digestion and constipation because of their high fiber content. Fig syrups and teas were also used to soothe sore throats and coughs, while poultices made from figs were sometimes applied to skin irritations and boils.

Even fig trees themselves were treasured around homesteads. They provided reliable fruit, shade in the summer heat, and could thrive for generations with very little care.

Today, modern research confirms figs are rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants — proving our ancestors may have been onto something after all.

Sweet, practical, and medicinal… the humble fig was truly a homestead favorite!

Checkout our country store on Saturday, June 6th…you might even find a jar or two of fig preserves to take home and enjoy.

05/28/2026

All the recent rain may be putting a damper on some of our summer plans, but the house garden is absolutely thriving because of it! The homestead is bursting with lush greenery, vibrant blooms, and beautiful new growth at every turn. Stroll through our garden spaces and scenic landscapes or take a quick walk down the peaceful walking trail leading to the beautiful Appalachee River. It’s the perfect time of year to visit and experience the grounds in full summer splendor.

Join us Saturday, June 6th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Guided tours of the historic log house will be offered on the hour beginning at 10:00 a.m.

• General Admission: $10
• Seniors (60+): $8
• Children 5 & under: FREE
Tickets available at the gate.

We’re pleased to announce that the Appalachee River Settlers Group will be onsite again this season! Step back in time and discover what life was like in the late 1700s through engaging living history demonstrations and conversations with reenactors.

05/27/2026

If you’re planning to visit us on Saturday June 6th, please note that some GPS systems may direct you to the property across the street from our entrance.

We’re aware of the issue and have already requested a correction. In the meantime, Google Maps will bring you directly to our gate if you need detailed directions.

We look forward to seeing you!

05/26/2026

Trade Beads & Early Georgia History

Long before modern stores or paper money became common in the Southeast, colorful glass trade beads played an important role in commerce and cultural exchange.

During the 1700s and 1800s, European traders exchanged beads with Native nations throughout the Southeast, including the Muscogee (Creek) people. These beads traveled along extensive trade routes and were valued not only for decoration, but also as symbols of status, diplomacy, and identity.

Trade beads came in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Some were worn as necklaces or sewn onto clothing, while others were incorporated into ceremonial items. Blue beads were especially popular and are still frequently found at archaeological sites connected to Creek communities and early settlements.

For historians and archaeologists today, trade beads help date historic sites and tell the story of cultural interaction between Native peoples, settlers, and traders during Georgia’s early frontier years.

Tiny pieces of glass may seem ordinary now, but centuries ago they carried tremendous value — and each bead tells a small part of the story of life in early America.

Come learn more about trade beads from members of the Appalachee River Settlers Group Saturday, June 6 from 10 AM to 2 PM, with guided tours of our historic 19th century log house and outbuildings offered on the hour 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Adults and Children over 5 $10.00
Seniors 60+ $8.00
Children, 5 and under FREE

Tickets available at the gate.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. May we never forget their sacrifice and the freedoms they helped preserve.

05/22/2026

Fun Fact Friday

Visions of the Past

This collection of photographs captures three important pieces of life at the William Harris Homestead: the historic log house, the barn, and the salt house. Each structure played a vital role in the daily survival of an early Georgia farm family.

The salt house was used to store one of the most valuable commodities of the 1800s — salt. Before refrigeration, salt was essential for preserving meat and food supplies year-round. The barn protected livestock, tools, and harvested crops, while the log house served as the heart of family life on the homestead.

Together, these buildings offer a glimpse into the hard work, ingenuity, and self-sufficient lifestyle of the past — true “visions of the past” preserved for future generations to experience.

The William Harris Homestead is open for public tours the first Saturday of each month, March through December, from 10 AM – 2 PM. Come walk through history and experience these remarkable structures for yourself!

Adults and Children over 5 $10.00
Seniors 60+ $8.00
Children, 5 and under FREE

Tickets available at the gate.

We are pleased to announce that the Appalachee River Settlers Group will be back this season! We invite you to come learn what life was like during the late 1700’s. Spend a beautiful day outside immersed in the past.

05/20/2026

Everything in this photo has something important in common. Can you guess what it is?

These natural materials could be gathered, grown, or made at home and used for a variety of textile purposes in the early 1800s!

Dried Marigolds:
Marigolds could be used to create yellow and gold fabric dyes and were also grown in kitchen gardens.

Onion Skins:
Families saved onion skins to make natural dyes for cloth and yarn. Different onion skins made different colors!

Black Walnuts:
Black walnut hulls created a rich dark brown dye often used on homespun fabric.

Lichen:
Some lichens could be boiled to make pink and purple dyes.

Cotton Bale: Cotton was Georgia’s most important cash crop in the early 1800s and played a major role in the state’s economy and daily life. A real cotton bale in the 1800s was enormous compared to our miniature example though. Most cotton bales were about 4–5 feet tall, around 2–3 feet wide and weighed between 400–500 pounds!

These items help us understand how people long ago depended on natural resources to meet their everyday needs — long before grocery stores and big-box craft stores existed!

05/19/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 from all of us at the William Harris Homestead Museum & Education Center!

Wishing you success, happiness, and exciting adventures in the years ahead. Make History!

05/15/2026

Our field trip staff wrapped up our busiest season ever with our traditional celebratory lunch! While we’re missing a few faces in these photos (Mr Butch, Mr Robby, Miss Jenny & Miss Alecia), every single staff member deserves recognition for going above and beyond this season. We made learning fun and memorable for over 4000 students!

What makes it all so special is that we’re more like family than coworkers — and that makes even the busiest days fun.

Thank you to everyone who supported us this Spring. We hope to see you in the Fall!

Address

3636 Highway 11 NW
Monroe, GA
30656

Telephone

+17702675844

Website

http://www.harrishomestead.com/

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