West, John Word, 1876-1961.

President of North Georgia Agriculture College (1925-1933) and devoted teacher at Georgia Military Academy for 32 years, West came from a small farming community near Fairburn to a late college degree, taught at several institutions, and topped off his career by creating the Fair of 1850 at his home in Jonesboro, Clayton Co., GA (the museum progenitor of Westville) and a foundation to help needy students.

From the description of John Word West papers, 1860-1976 (bulk 1900-1960). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 38476111

From the description of John Word West papers, 1860-1976 (bulk 1900-1960). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 145567925

John W. West created the Fair of 1850 as a museum on his farm near Jonesboro, GA, beginning in the late 1920's. Here he collected buildings, farm equipment, small tools, and domestic articles that exemplified Georgian life in 1850. Parts of the collection later became the nucleus of Westville, Stewart Co., GA, a created "town" that serves as a living museum of what life was actually like in antebellum Georgia.

From the description of "The Fair of 1850" and "Westville, GA" records, 1891-1976 (bulk 1926-1976). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 122603213

From the description of "The Fair of 1850" and "Westville, GA" records, 1891-1976 (bulk 1926-1976). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 38476123

West was one of nine children; his father, one of twenty. John used his talents and resources to provide financial assistance to a wide range of cousins, their problems ranging from occasional debt to mental illness. He married Eva McKee, a schoolteacher and farmer; they had no children of their own but were able to assist Eva's niece, Ora Jones, and three nephews through college.

From the description of John Word West family papers, 1870-1959 (bulk 1880-1959). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 145567933

From the description of John Word West family papers, 1870-1959 (bulk 1880-1959). (Georgia Department of Archives and History Library). WorldCat record id: 38476116