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Frank T. Schnell Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MC 25

Scope and Contents

The Schnell collection reflects his interests in the Chattahoochee River, local industry, the U. S. Bicentennial and his own family history, which includes the Eelbeck, Johnson, and George families, in addition to the Schnells. These materials include a group of 17 Civil War letters written by John T. Johnson, three of which have been transcribed. He was very active in the Columbus Area Bicentennial Committee from 1973 through 1976. This committee planned and executed a series of bicentennial events and celebrations, including the two things which were meant to be the permanent legacy of the bicentennial. These were the creation of the Columbus Promenade, which became the River Walk, and the establishment of the archives of Columbus College, which was opened to the public in 1975. Besides these activities, the committee sponsored pageants, a re-enactment of a play, No Song, No Supper, that had been performed in 1830 on the banks of the Chattahoochee, the 4th of July parade of 1976, various activities relating to the nascent Historic District in downtown Columbus, the sale of Bicentennial license plates, essay contests, and many other activities which are detailed in the Bicentennial materials in this collection.

Dates

  • 1836 - 1980

Biographical / Historical

Frank T. Schnell was born July 30, 1940 in Columbus, Georgia and died in Bradenton, Florida on January 18, 2010. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a master's degree, and worked for the Columbus Museum for 35 years before retiring in 2001.

Extent

4 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

This collection was donated by Frank Schnell in two parts, in 1978 and 2003.

Related Materials

United States Bicentennial Committee Records, MC 167

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Columbus State University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
4225 University Ave
Columbus Georgia 31907 United States