Gaither's Plantation (Covington, Ga) is a long standing historical property in Covington, Ga that housed over 130 slaves.The slaves that built and resided on Gaither's plantation were subjected to cruel treatment. Marianne Gaither Garrett (descendant of the family that served the Gaithers) recalls a sadistic story of inhuman torture at the plantation.

"Robert was born a little slave boy.  When his master found out he could learn to read, one finger was amputated for each grade level.  He was seven and could read at the the third grade level.He had been taught to read by the master's children."

     Currently, $440,000 in tax payer monies are pending approval to Gaither's Plantation. It is a fiscally irresponsible use of tax payer monies to fund an institution that got rich from slave labor (especially when  residents are facing an increase in property taxes to mitigate a 3 million dollar deficit in the 2021 budget). Since Newton County acquired the property in 1996 there have recently been attempts by the Board of Commissioners to rename/remarket the facility as something more attractive to the public (i.e Gaither’s at Myrtle Creek Farm-2018,Wildlife Management Area and Events,etc).  Unfortunately, little has been done to honor the legacy of the black lives that built and resided on the property. 

     No name change can erase the history of enslavement, oppression, and torture endured on this property. Newton County residents: Are you ok with your hard earned dollars funding this reprehensible legacy?

Please sign this petition to Defund Gaither's Plantation!