The special collections libraries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the premiere of Gone With the Wind with events on Aug. 23, including the opening of a major exhibit, an afternoon of talks and a reception.
The anniversary observance begins at 2 p.m. in the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries with exhibit tours led by Mary Ellen Brooks, director emeritus of the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Brooks also is the curator of the exhibit on the life of Margaret Mitchell, the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
The UGA Libraries has the largest collection in the country of Mitchell’s personal papers and other materials, donated by her brother, Stephens Mitchell.
The exhibit will remain on display through the end of the year.
Other events scheduled:
• “These Movie People are Crazy as Bedbugs,” a talk by John Wiley, author and editor of the The Scarlett Letter, a Gone With the Wind periodical published quarterly, 3 p.m.
• “Look what The Wind Blew In! Behind the Scenes Letters of Margaret Mitchell and Her Friends,” a glimpse into the private life of the Atlanta author, 4 p.m.
• Wiley and Brooks also will offer tributes to the late Herb Bridges of Coweta County, who, at one time, had the largest collection of Gone With the Wind movie memorabilia and was a popular speaker on the topic, 5 p.m.
• A reception will be held at 6 p.m. and will conclude the celebration.
All events will be held in Room 271 of the Russell Special Collections Building. Cost for the event is $50 per person. Register at http://t.uga.edu/Pt or by calling Leandra Nessel at 706-542-3879.