Roaming Around Rome

A few weeks ago I was able to travel to Rome, Georgia for the 41st Annual Rome Antique Bottle Show.  It is a small show, but always a good one. Here is an article from the local paper on the bottle show: http://www.romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/21600145/article-Bottle-collectors-see-one-man%E2%80%99s-trash-as-their-own-treasure-?instance=home_news

I grew up as a “Navy Brat”, and then joined the Navy once I was old enough. So, we never really had a ‘home town’ growing up, but if I could pick one it would be Rome, Georgia. The rolling hills, the river, a great downtown area with lots of restaurants and shops. Of course Rome has several great antique stores to check out too.  It has the conveniences of a large town, but has a small town feel to it.

While there I got to speak with Frank Barron Jr. His family started the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Rome around 1901. (I wrote about Frank’s book a few years ago: https://cocacolabottleman.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/another-good-read/) He is certainly an interesting man to speak to. I enjoyed talking ‘Coca-Cola’ with him and asking him about the bottling side of the business.

Also while in Rome Frank took me over to the Rome Area History Museum. Some of his collection is on loan to the museum and I was eager to see it. While there I met the Executive Director of the museum, Leigh Barba.  She runs a GREAT museum!  There were MANY interesting exhibits on display. If you are ever in Rome, be sure to check it out.  http://www.romehistorymuseum.org/

All in all it was a great day in Rome: found a few bottles at the Rome Show I had been trying to find for awhile and saw some bottle collecting friends, got to meet Mr. Barron and speak with him, got to tour the museum and even had time to  hit a few antique stores.

Rome Area History Museum

Rome History Museum

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