On January 25th 1896, a diverse group of business, professional and tradesmen founded the Burns Club of Atlanta, and they met in various premises around the city until around 1907 they resolved to build their own Club premises, and in pursuit of this they bought around 15 acres of land, some way out of town but yet accessible as it was right at the end of the trolley tracks. The next decision was somewhat inspirational, to construct their building as one of the finest memorial tributes to our Bard, a replica of the Poet's birthplace, the "auld clay biggin". An Architect in Scotland was hired to record exact dimensions of the Alloway cottage, and the Club raised the finance for the building by selling off half of the land as residential plots, with the land now divided by new streets, Alloway Place, crossed by Ayr Place at the top. There were certain adjustments made to suit the Club's needs and available materials and talent, this cottage is built in granite from the nearby Stone Mountain, and the barn and byre areas have been constructed as one large meeting room, but the building curves as the original, and the detailing is faithful, there was even a thatched roof but that has been replaced of late to comply with local Fire Marshals. The Atlanta Cottage was completed for the Poet's birthday in 1911, a fantastic achievement for the Club, and a testament to the enthusiasm that Burns works inspired in the USA at a time when the movement at home was only just beginning to muster real strength and restore the birthplace to its original condition as a place of pilgrimage for admirers.
The level of enthusiasm in Atlanta lives on; I have previously blogged on my visit in the afternoon to meet Victor Greig with his Kilmarnock edition, and my visit to Frank Shaw’s fantastic library with his Kilmarnock, now I want to give you an appreciation of my return to the cottage that evening. The Club meets in the cottage on the first Wednesday of every month throughout the year, (and on the poet’s birthday,) and at these monthly gatherings they have a programme of entertainment and an address from invited speakers. This being Wednesday 1st of April I was invited to be with the club and give them that short address on a topic of my choosing. The members start gathering around 5.30pm, as some go straight to the cottage from work, and the gathering commences with nibbles and soft drinks laid on, although many of the members keep their favourite malt on the premises for these gatherings. So the evening begins with a relaxed gathering and lot of informal chat. There is a meeting of the Club Board to catch any business matters, and prospective Members are interviewed. Several Members bring in plates of food to the gathering, and these are laid out in the library with a load of fried chicken and everybody enjoys an informal supper. The organisation of these programmes are the responsibility of the Vice-President, in this year Eddie Morgan, and he called the gathering to order, and asked for everyone to introduce themselves. Most attending are in familiar surroundings, introductions are often jocular, many slightly barbed against some group or someone and so there was a great deal of light banter as everyone took their turn introducing themselves and any guest. We started the more ordered programme with Burns a reading, carefully chosen by a nominated member, and then it was my turn. With perhaps more bravado than knowledge, I had offered as my topic “The American Influences of Robert Burns” and spoke for about twenty minutes on how perhaps in the 18th century the emerging independent and democratic states of America had influenced the political thinking and ambitions of Burns, and how in turn his works achieved wide appreciation and had influenced many great American figures, then the current ongoing enthusiasm and depth of scholarship that Americans contributed to the worldwide appreciation of our Bard.
There was a response on behalf of the Club, and there followed some very shrewd observations and questions, coming from a base of knowledge that demonstrated the wealth of understanding there is in this Club, evoking discussion and interest in where Burns and Scotland are in the current global picture. I am sure that among the clubs in North America the Burns Club of Atlanta is not alone in the views they hold and the understanding they exhibit in valuing the works and philosophies of Robert Burns. With enthusiasts of this calibre joining regularly in fellowship in the name of Robert Burns, we can be confident that in another 250 years the whole world will again join and celebrate a great anniversary.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Atlanta, it was only too brief, I am now looking for a reason to return for a longer visit among the many friends I have made there.
The level of enthusiasm in Atlanta lives on; I have previously blogged on my visit in the afternoon to meet Victor Greig with his Kilmarnock edition, and my visit to Frank Shaw’s fantastic library with his Kilmarnock, now I want to give you an appreciation of my return to the cottage that evening. The Club meets in the cottage on the first Wednesday of every month throughout the year, (and on the poet’s birthday,) and at these monthly gatherings they have a programme of entertainment and an address from invited speakers. This being Wednesday 1st of April I was invited to be with the club and give them that short address on a topic of my choosing. The members start gathering around 5.30pm, as some go straight to the cottage from work, and the gathering commences with nibbles and soft drinks laid on, although many of the members keep their favourite malt on the premises for these gatherings. So the evening begins with a relaxed gathering and lot of informal chat. There is a meeting of the Club Board to catch any business matters, and prospective Members are interviewed. Several Members bring in plates of food to the gathering, and these are laid out in the library with a load of fried chicken and everybody enjoys an informal supper. The organisation of these programmes are the responsibility of the Vice-President, in this year Eddie Morgan, and he called the gathering to order, and asked for everyone to introduce themselves. Most attending are in familiar surroundings, introductions are often jocular, many slightly barbed against some group or someone and so there was a great deal of light banter as everyone took their turn introducing themselves and any guest. We started the more ordered programme with Burns a reading, carefully chosen by a nominated member, and then it was my turn. With perhaps more bravado than knowledge, I had offered as my topic “The American Influences of Robert Burns” and spoke for about twenty minutes on how perhaps in the 18th century the emerging independent and democratic states of America had influenced the political thinking and ambitions of Burns, and how in turn his works achieved wide appreciation and had influenced many great American figures, then the current ongoing enthusiasm and depth of scholarship that Americans contributed to the worldwide appreciation of our Bard.
There was a response on behalf of the Club, and there followed some very shrewd observations and questions, coming from a base of knowledge that demonstrated the wealth of understanding there is in this Club, evoking discussion and interest in where Burns and Scotland are in the current global picture. I am sure that among the clubs in North America the Burns Club of Atlanta is not alone in the views they hold and the understanding they exhibit in valuing the works and philosophies of Robert Burns. With enthusiasts of this calibre joining regularly in fellowship in the name of Robert Burns, we can be confident that in another 250 years the whole world will again join and celebrate a great anniversary.
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Atlanta, it was only too brief, I am now looking for a reason to return for a longer visit among the many friends I have made there.
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The Burns Club of Atlanta presents, as a part of its One Hundredth Anniversary celebration of the building of the Cottage on Alloway Place in East Atlanta, a series of three seminars open to the public.
October 13 The Poetry of Burns
October 20 Burns the Songwriter and Music Collector
October 27 Burns the Preserver of the Scots Dialect
Focusing on the actual work of Burns, each seminar will follow a structured but informal gathering style in the historic cottage. Audience interaction will be welcome. The seminars will begin promptly at 6:45 and will end at 8:45. The cottage will open at 6 and close at 10 each seminar evening. We have room for about 75 people each night — no more.
Please indicate your intention to attend [i.e.: RSVP] and the size of your group by e-mail to wlc3882@yahoo.com. For general information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_Club_Atlanta
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