November 11, 1971 The Relaxing Time, The Art Center, The Beautiful Area and A Little Sightseeing

Dear Mother,

"B has gone to his last meeting and should be thru by noon. This has been a relaxing time but there hasn't been much time to do anything other than things planned by the meeting committee. The whole group took a bus tour of Atlanta and they took us thru a ritzy residential area and that was interesting. We saw the governor's mansion (and it is a mansion) besides some of the old family homes.

You should have the picture card of the Stone Mountain Memorial. We didn't get to stay long enough out there but it got dark. It is a big park built in memory of the Confederate soldier. There is a museum where a guide gave us a little talk about the park. She was dressed like a southern belle and was lovely. There is a plantation in the park too, and we saw some of the buildings but couldn't get out of the bus. They have moved these buildings from all over the south to make an authentic plantation. They even served old fashioned meals in one place--biscuits and other things I can't remember.

Yesterday afternoon the women went to an art center which was built in memory of the group of Atlanta people who died in the plane crash in Orly field in Paris a few years ago. Their families and friends have given the money and art works that are there. It's a big, beautiful building which has the usual things in an art museum besides a theatre and meeting rooms. They use the building for art classes, plays, concerts and all sorts of activities.

The banquet of the meeting was last night. Besides a good meal the entertainment was very good. Students from Emory University sang. There must have been 150 of them and they could really sing.

I called Pat's mother and grandmother and talked over an hour to each of them. We had hoped we could see them but it was just too hard to work it out. Anne (Pat's mom) is worn out when she has worked all day--she was already in bed when I called her--and it would have been late by the time we could have gotten out there.

Ann and Bob seemed so happy. Their apartment is very roomy and she has it fixed up real cute. She likes her job but it doesn't leave her much time at home. Bob had cleaned the apartment before we got there since he wasn't working on Saturday. So I guess he helps her a lot. On Sunday we just got in the car and rode much of the day. It was too cold and windy to do much else but we got to see the school (Devereux Institute) where Bob works and a lot of interesting things. That is a beautiful area and is a lot like Connecticut. Bob's school is scattered all over. They have different ages of people in different buildings. The buildings are all old mansions which the school has bought thru the years. They are all beautiful places but the maintenance must be huge. We went out to Valley Forge park and that was interesting but it is hard to believe that Geo. Washington actually camped there. One of the flags that was flying from one fort had the 13 stars.

After lunch we are going to start toward home but plan to do it slowly. We think we'll stop in Asheville, N.C. to do a little sightseeing and maybe some other places along the way if they look interesting.

It has been restful to be here and I think it has been good for B.

I hope you are fine. How is the back? You haven't mentioned it lately."

                     Lots of love,

                           Bonnie

NOTE:  Stone Mountain has been in the news this week:  http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/monument-honor-martin-luther-king-jr-planned-georgias-stone-mountain-n442891

And the plan is being contested:  http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/georgia-confederate-group-blasts-mlk-honor-at-ston/nnzyC/