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View a list of archived online articles about Marion County.
Pasaquan gets helping hand
from Marion County Commission

By RICHARD HARRIS
(From the January 17, 2007 issue)
   It took years, but the Marion County Historical Society finally got the answer it was seeking from the local government in regard to its efforts to preserve and promote “Pasaquan.” The Marion County Commission agreed in a recent meeting to serve as the society’s “fiscal agent” in its efforts to preserve the local folk art site. The vote was 3-to-1 with Commissioner Frank Powell expressing strong opposition.
   The vote does not mean that the Commission will spend any local tax revenue on behalf of Pasaquan, but that it simply agrees to receive state and/or federal funds and in turn disperse them to the Historical Society, assuming that the society is successful in its quest

 
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This youngster was fascinated during a recent visit to Pasaquan and the Marion County Historical Society wants to help preserve the site for many more visitors to enjoy.
   
   
for grants. In a nutshell, the Commission agreed to handle the grant money if the society is awarded any.
   In the past some local officials have expressed uncertainty with assisting with efforts having to do with Pasaquan due to the fact that its creator, the late Eddie Owens Martin, espoused his own religion, which he claimed came to him in a series of visions from extraordinarily tall people from the future. These “visitors” were from a place they called “Pasaquan.” In addition to not believing this claim, officials were uneasy with potential separation of church and state issues.
   Members of the Historical Society, however, say they in no way seek to promote Martin’s visions as religious fact, but rather as an interesting claim by a very interesting man who created some very interesting art just outside of Buena Vista in Marion County. They believe the art is worthy of being preserved, regardless of what one may think of its inspiration.
   Many art critics agree. Pasaquan has been described in art circles as an “internationally acclaimed visionary art site.” It  has been featured in dozens of newspaper, magazine, internet and book articles in a variety of publications, including the New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, The New Georgia Guide, and various international magazines.
   New York Times art critic John Russell wrote, “(Pasaquan) was, and doubtless is, an astonishing sight.”
   The Historical Society wants to make sure the “is” part of that quote remains an accurate description, but needs money to pay for preservation efforts on the six major structures and hundreds of feet of decorated walls that are rapidly deteriorating on the seven-acre site.
   The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation named Pasaquan to its 2006 list of “Ten Places in Peril,” and described it as a threatened state resource.
   The local Historical Society also sees it as a resource in more ways than one. In addition to simply preserving the art for the sake of the art, they believe it can be developed into a resource for tourism that will positively affect the local economy. The group’s long-range goal is to
 
     
       
  not only preserve the site, but also establish a museum that would be open on a regular basis and employ up to six people.
   Local resident, artist and ‘folklorist’ Fred Fussell said in an earlier interview that they hope to raise around $2.5 million over the next three to five years in order to completely restore the structures of Pasaquan, to construct a visitor’s center with adequate restrooms and a small gift shop, and to hire a staff to establish a variety of educational programs and special events, manage the facility on a daily basis and maintain the buildings and grounds.
   “If we can get one or two major funding sources, it’s possible,” said Fussell.
   Only time will tell if they will be able to successfully woo those responsible for rewarding such significant grants, but the fact that the local government is now onboard as a supporter makes it at much more plausible. The group’s goal is to have the site open on a regular basis by July 4, 2008, which would have been Eddie Owens Martin’s 100th birthday.
   Until then, the group will continue to seek other ways of raising money and awareness of the site. They hosted a very successful “Artists for Pasaquan” day in November that was well attended.
   Also until then, anyone interesting in touring the site may do so on one of the designated Saturdays starting in April (April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3). It may also be possible for large groups to arrange another time for a visit, when feasible. For more information about Pasaquan contact Dr. John Rogers at 229-649-7513.
   Much more information about Pasaquan and its history may also be viewed at http://www.pasaquan.com		  
             
 
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