Georgia College’s Andalusia—home of famed American author Mary “Flannery” O’Connor, ’45—was recently designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL).

It’s Georgia College’s second museum to recieve this prestigious status. Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion was the first campus landmark to receive this recognition in 1973.

This designation has been awarded to a small number of campuses nationwide. Less than three percent of America’s historic sites hold this honor.

“We’re delighted that Flannery O’Connor’s home has gained national attention and been awarded this distinction,” said Dr. Steve Dorman, university president. “Flannery made such a profound impact on Georgia College as a student and as an alumna. We are proud to keep her legacy alive. Her creative works continue to inspire our students and individuals everywhere.”

O’Connor and her family moved to Milledgeville when she was 15 years old. Within a year of moving here from Savannah, O’Connor lost her father to systemic lupus erythematosus.

She graduated from Peabody High School in 1942. At Georgia College, O’Connor was art director and cartoonist for the student newspaper, the Colonnade. One year after she graduated from Georgia College, O’Connor participated in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and later studied journalism at the University of Iowa. From 1946 to 1964, she was a novelist, essayist and short story writer. She also wrote journals and letters and conducted some notable interviews.

In 1951, O’Connor discovered she had lupus and moved back to Milledgeville to reside with her mother at Andalusia. From 1951 until her death in 1964, O’Connor would complete the bulk of her work totaling two novels, 32 short stories and more than 100 literary critiques. Many personalities and details in her writing were inspired by the environment and people around Andalusia.

Following her death in 1964, the farm remained in the family until 2003 when it was given to a private foundation for use as a museum. In August 2017, the site was gifted to O’Connor’s alma mater, Georgia College.

Andalusia was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In 2019, it was named a “Distinctive Destination” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Flannery O’Connor’s bedroom at Andalusia.

The initial step of Andalusia becoming a National Historic Landmark took place Sept. 2, 2020, when Georgia College officials addressed the National Historic Landmark Advisory Committee.

Following the National Historic Landmark Advisory Committee’s approval, consideration of Andalusia as a National Historic Landmark went before the National Board of the Parks Service for acceptance. Then, it was approved by the U.S. Secretary of Interior.

“There are campuses across the country that have National Historic Landmarks, but this is a rarity in Georgia to have two in a town of our size and capacity,” said Matt Davis, director of Historic Museums at Georgia College. “It’s an accomplishment we can all be very proud of.”

Andalusia is open for public tours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for pre-booked groups and senior citizens and $2 for students.

Credit: Original article published here.