The Cherokee Nation: Saving Our History and Heritage in Georgia

Join us at the Bartow History Museum on July 21, 2021 at noon as Leslie Barker Thomas presents Saving Our History and Heritage. Thomas will discuss the importance of preservation of Cherokee history.  In addition, she will talk about what the Trail of Tears Association does to preserve the history, what has been done to sign sites, and what sites are in our area.

For more information on the Georgia Trail of Tears Association, visit https://www.gatrailoftears.com.

The lecture is free for members. Tickets for non-members are $7.

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Get to know the speaker

Photo of Leslie B. Thomas

Leslie Barker Thomas has been a long-time member (20 years) of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association, serving as the newsletter editor, communications director and as the Vice President for twelve years. She was also the President of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Association 2014-2017 and has recently had her research coordinator title changed to the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears Historical Preservation Officer by the National Association based in Oklahoma.  She serves on the board of directors for the National Trail of Tears Association which involves nine states, and on the board of the local Georgia chapter.

After 30 years of working in the medical field, Leslie was able to retire and pursue her love of historical research and writing.  She writes for the local Times Courier Newspaper and Appalachian Country Living Magazine.

Furthermore, she is the current President of the Gilmer County Historical Society and operates the local heritage museum, Leslie has been on the boards of various historical organizations including the Chieftains Museum in Rome, the Gilmer County Genealogy Society, and the Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association. She also serves as the newsletter editor for her local church.

Leslie was born in Chicago.  Her late husband Roddy Thomas was retired from the United States Postal Service. He was born in Alpharetta. They have five children and five grandchildren.  Leslie currently lives in Gilmer County’s Blue Ridge Foothills.

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