Most may be familiar with Georgia’s role in the Civil War, but perhaps not as well-versed in Colonial-era history.

The Northeast Georgia History Center’s newest exhibit, "Unite or Die: The Revolution in Georgia," tells the story of Georgia’s role in the nation’s fight for independence.

Knowing about that war is important because of the impact on the history of the country and the world, history center Director Glen Kyle said.

"(The Continental Congress) debated for months whether or not to even declare independence. When it did happen, it was a turning point, not only in the history of Georgia and the United States, but really of the world. It was the first time in modern history that something like that had really happened," Kyle said. "It’s pretty neat that Georgia played a role in that, I think."

The centerpiece of the exhibit, a three-eighths-scale replica of the Liberty Bell, was part of a traveling exhibit sponsored by local businessmen Frank Markett and Bob Swoszowski that was taken to schools during the 1970s.

The exhibit expanded and became installed in the Northeast Georgia History Center after Swoszowski approached Kyle about displaying the items.

"It really grew from that point with the realization that there isn’t anywhere, other than a couple of battlefield parks in Savannah, where you can learn about the revolution and Georgia’s role in it," Kyle said.

Kyle and Kelly Young, a Brenau student and history center intern, put together the current exhibit.

The exhibit, on display through Aug. 15, gives an overview of the war in Georgia through a variety of artifacts, including newspapers, books, full-sized uniforms and weapons. There also are items discovered through archeological digs in Savannah, such as pipes, buckles and a Colonial-era grenade.

Though many of the displays are behind glass, one section includes items that can be picked up and even worn, including tri-corner hats, haversacks and Native American trade materials such as beads and deerskin.

The role of Native Americans in the Revolutionary War also is depicted in the exhibit.

"It’s very interesting, because the role the Indians played ... the presence of those Indians was used as a tool and a weapon by both sides," Kyle said.

The exhibit also features a portrait of Hall County’s namesake, Lyman Hall, one of the three Georgian signers of the Declaration of Independence along with Button Gwinnett and George Walton.

"It’s really interesting to see what happened not only to these three, but all the signers," Kyle said. "The last line (of the Declaration of Independence) says they pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor and it’s very poetic to us today, but it really meant something. When they put their names on that document, they were committing treason. There was no turning back."

The Revolutionary War theme also will be featured in this weekend’s Family Day at the history center, Liberty in Georgia. Along with various family activities and crafts from the Colonial era, visitors can sign a replica of the Declaration of Independence with quills and homemade ink, just as the founding fathers did.

Three of the country’s founding fathers also will be making an appearance at Sunday’s Family Day, in the personage of Atlanta actor K. Ken Johnston. A self-confessed history buff, Johnston will be portraying in turn Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and George Washington.

"It puts a real face, a human face, on history. You suddenly realize, these weren’t portraits and statues running around doing things, they were real people with real flaws who still managed to do amazing things, that’s the lesson," Johnston said.