When Peachtree City resident James Wingo called the Peachtree City Library about making a donation, he didn't foresee the chain of events that would lead to a collaborative effort all in the name of liberty.

Wingo, a history buff and admirer of the Marquis de Lafayette, wanted to establish a collection of books about the American Revolution. Says Wingo, "It was a revolution of ideas. Ideas that broke the bondage of kings and vested the power of government into the hands of the people."

Wingo donated $5,000 to the Peachtree City Library Corporation, a Friends of the Library USA affiliate, to establish "The Marquis de Lafayette Collection" in memory of his parents, Marvin and Della Wingo, "to honor those brave and courageous men and women that gave birth to liberty."

Many do not realize the important role the South played in the Revolutionary War. Students may be taught about the famous events that took place in Boston and Philadelphia, but it was the southern victories that brought the war to an end. There were over 300 battles in South Carolina alone. A bit of Peachtree City trivia- although the city of Peachtree City may be approaching its 50th anniversary, there were people there before then. Revolutionary War soldier Pvt. Benjamin Brown is buried in a small cemetery off of Dividend Drive near Talbot State Bank.

Library Administrator Jill Prouty was thrilled that the library would be receiving such a generous gift. Prouty, a history buff herself, is also a member of the General Daniel Newnan Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

"Our chapter was honored to help with the selection of books for the Lafayette Collection. Right now, Peachtree City probably has one of the premiere collections on the American Revolution in the state of Georgia."

The Marquis de Lafayette Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) immediately got on board with the project and agreed to fire their muskets in Picnic Park as a prelude to the unveiling of the collection on Friday, June 23, at 2 p.m. The men, wearing Militia and Continental attire, will then lead the crowd over the footbridge into the Floy Farr Room at the library for an interactive program by Peter Bonner called, "The Revolutionary War in Georgia." Bonner's program will appeal to all ages, but he will be bringing period costumes for the kids to try on. As Bonner likes to say, "History doesn't have to be just a bunch of boring dates!"

Peachtree City Library will also be offering special reading incentive for Vacation Reading Program participants who read one book from the Lafayette Collection. For more information, call the Peachtree City Library at (770) 631-2520, or visit them on the Web at www.peachtree-city.org/library.

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