Wednesday, August 20, 2014

TV Alert- Forgotten Georgia Civil War Prison Featured on "Time Team America"

MILLEN, GA -- Next week, PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) will air a "Time Team America" episode filmed in Georgia. Archeologists will explore the recently excavated Camp Lawton which - for a brief period during the Civil War - was the nation's largest prison. Today, the land is Magnolia Springs State Park known for beautiful springs, camping, nature trails, fishing and picnicking.

During the Civil War, this site was called Camp Lawton, built to relieve overcrowding at Andersonville. Today, little remains of the prison stockade; however, the earthen breastworks which guarded it may still be seen. During 2010, Georgia Southern University archaeology teams uncovered the stockade wall and numerous personal articles from soldiers. Their discovery has been heralded as one of the most significant finds in recent history, and excavation work still continues today. Artifacts are currently on display at the university, and the public is sometimes invited to watch archeologists as they work.

"Time Team America" is a PBS series that combines archaeological discovery with good storytelling. Each episode explores a different region and time in U.S. history through the eyes, ears and expertise of their own team of adventurous archaeologists. The show will air on Georgia Public Broadcasting at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26. Station locations may be found at www.gpb.org/television/stations. More information about the series is online at www.pbs.org/time-team/home/.

Georgians interested in seeing the former prison site may visit Magnolia Springs State Park in Millen. The park is open daily, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Parking is $5 and accommodations are available. For more information, visit www.gastateparks.org/MagnoliaSprings

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kim Hatcher
kim.hatcher@gadnr.org
770-975-4223