The Austin Theatre opened in January 1917 and is a cultural and commercial venue in Fort Valley. If you want to plan your visit around a specific performance, check the schedule in advance. There are also a variety of themes to consider when planning your trip: garden culture, historic sites, peach events, and golf.
Gardens and Camellia Tradition
Massee Lane Gardens features a nine-acre camellia collection. It also includes the Abendroth Japanese Garden. Camellias and a Japanese garden therefore stand out as two distinct features. A slideshow about camellias and the development of the gardens is shown regularly in the visitor center. The Annabelle Lundy Fetterman Educational Museum displays a porcelain collection.
Professionally guided tours of Massee Lane Gardens are available for groups of ten or more by appointment. Scheduling in advance is therefore part of planning a group tour. The annual Festival of Camellias is held in the gardens. This recurring festival is distinct from the garden features described above, which are there year-round.
Heritage and History
Visitors can still see the original passenger train depot in Fort Valley. The Benjamin S. Anderson House also offers a window into history: it houses Fort Valley State University's Heritage Museum and is also the oldest building on campus. Those interested in the university's history can also book a personal campus tour. Led by student ambassadors, these tours require a reservation.
The Everett Square District is one of two notable historic districts in Fort Valley. The Troutman House, built around 1855, is an example of Greek Revival architecture. The approximate construction date and the architectural style provide two different points of reference for understanding the house. The Biggs Collection includes historic furnishings dating from 1860 to 1900. This collection adds objects from a clearly defined period to the broader picture of the area's heritage.
The Austin Theatre adds a cultural and commercial venue to the area's architectural and urban history. Together with the original passenger train depot and the historic districts, it offers a range of themes to explore: theater history, railroad heritage, and historic architecture. You can decide which theme you want to shape your trip, without assuming that all the sites share a single program.
Peach Events, Regional Products, and Golf
The annual Georgia Peach Festival takes place in Fort Valley and Byron; dates vary from year to year. At the Peach Festival in Fort Valley, the “World's Largest Peach Cobbler” is prepared every year on the first Saturday. If you want to plan your trip around one of these events, check the exact festival dates for that year.
Just outside Fort Valley, the Lane Southern Orchards Roadside Market offers fresh peaches in season and pecans year-round. Check the latest operating details before you go. The PeachTree Café at Lane Southern Orchards serves home-cooked meals. For a different activity, Pine Needles Country Club has a nine-hole golf course; check the latest operating details in advance.
Explore more destinations: Byron.
Return to the main travel overview: Peach County.
