July 9 Poker Run to benefit The Depot

Published 10:30 am Tuesday, July 5, 2022

The historic Depot has plans for a facelift in the years to come. 

Dr. Amy Wright has been apart of the board of trustees of Georgia’s Old Capital Museum since 2007, but became the executive director in 2009. She has created tours and campaigns for Georgia’s Old Capital Museum over the years but her most recent campaign is the biggest one yet. 

Wright is planning a huge renovation of The Depot, located at Renaissance Park at Central State Hospital. Dyer Construction is handing the renovations. Plans for The Depot include exhibits on the history of Milledgeville, a cafe, bookstore, theater, open-air community stage, and a home for STEAM summer classes.

The project follows the renovations at the Just Imagine Cottage, thoughtfully named after Wright, who would walk around the rooms of the cottage and see the potential in the rooms saying, “Just imagine how this room will look. Just imagine how we can turn this place into something for our community.” 

The dream for the Just Imagine Cottage is to host afterschool programs. The plans include classes for robotics, drone building, and other classes geared toward the arts. 

Wright said she wanted a place for children and young adults to come and learn.  

“We just feel like part of our mission is to provide knowledge and skills that will help our children be successful and have fantastic resumés,” she said. 

All of the renovations are being made possible by fundraisers that Wright has help plan for the past few years. 

The upcoming fundraiser is the third annual Poker Run, slated for July 9.  

The Poker Run will be comprised of a scavenger hunt on Lake Sinclair via boat. There will be five envelopes at every stop on the scavenger hunt map, and contestants will pick up a playing card in the envelope. When all five stops have been visited and all five playing cards have been collected, the players will show their hand, and whoever has the highest hand wins $1,000. Second place winner wins $500. 

All of the entry fees will go to the preservation and restoration of The Depot. 

The scavenger hunt will be centered on five islands on Lake Sinclair, followed by a picnic lunch at Goat Island for $15. Registration and home base will be located at Dennis Station. 

Start time is approximately 9 a.m. and the cost is $55. 

All boats are welcome, and those without a boat can rent one from  Sunset Marina, Jere Shai, Sinclair Marina or Anchors Marina. 

All proceeds will go to benefit Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot Inc. and the renovation of The Depot as a regional heritage center. 

For more information or to pre-register visit https:www.thedepotga.org/gochc-events or call The Cottage at 478-453-1803.