The Elisha Winn House
A NEW COUNTY IS BORN
The Elisha Winn House was built about 1812 in the headright lands of Jackson County - six years before Gwinnett County was created. During this period, Elisha Winn was a Justice of Inferior Court in Jackson County from 1815 to 1817. Elisha, together with Roger and Elijah Pugh, purchased the 7,300-acre Jones
tract on the Appalachee River from the Jackson County tax collector in 1809 of which this property was part. The property became part of Gwinnett County on December 15, 1818, when the Georgia legislature created the counties of Gwinnett, Walton, and Hall, in part from headright lands of Jackson County, but mostly from former Indian lands ceded to the State of Georgia. To see the Winn House site map click HERE.
BUILT IN RICH HISTORY
The Elisha Winn property gained historical significance because in this house much of the planning for the new county took place; and, here the first functions of county government were carried out. Inferior Court and the first county elections were held in the parlor, and by early spring of 1819, Gwinnett County had a full slate of elected county officials made up of a Sheriff, Clerk of Superior Court, Clerk of Inferior Court, Tax Collector, Tax Receiver, Coroner, and Surveyor. The first five judges of the Inferior Court were commissioned on February 2, 1819. Elisha Winn was commissioned a judge of the Inferior Court to succeed Samuel Reid on July 21, 1820, and served this position through 1825, becoming state senator from Gwinnett County in 1826, and a state representative from Gwinnett in 1830, 1833, and 1837.
Listen to caretaker, Amos Hutchins (1913 - 1992) He grew up in a tenant home across from the Elisha Winn House which was both owned then by the Sims Family and later became the property’s caretaker.
More photos and artifacts from the historic Elisha Winn House are available via our Member's Only Portal*
Through the Years
RESTORATIONS
About a half mile from the Apalachee River, Elisha Winn built this house in 1812. The Winn's had 13 children. Their son, Judge Richard Dickinson Winn, helped to preserve much of Gwinnett's early history in his biographical sketches of the county's pioneers that were printed in the local newspaper. Prior to the Gwinnett Historical Society buying the house and three acres in 1978, owners other than the Winn family included the Ambrose family, the Sims family, and the Baptist Association of Texas. The Elisha Winn House, its out buildings, and the 19.2 acres on which they sit make up the Winn House. The buildings are a rehabilitation project of the Gwinnett Historical Society. Read more...
WINN HOUSE HISTORY IN A TIMELINE
The Winn Fair
This is an annual festival that takes place on the Winn House grounds and allows guests to travel back in time. History buffs will have the chance to tour the Winn home which was built more than 200 years ago and played a significant role in the early days of Gwinnett County. In addition to touring the historic home, guests will be able to hear live music; watch 1812 militia reenactments; browse craft and food vendors; and watch demonstrations that range from blacksmithing to butter churning.
The Winn Fair admission costs $5 per person; children 12 and under are free.
The Winn Fair is traditionally held the first full weekend of October. The 2024 fair will be October 5th and 6th.
BE A PART OF HISTORY
Food and craft vendors fill the Winn House grounds. Guests are able to view demonstrations of various 19th century activities, including blacksmithing, weaving, spinning and butter churning. Attendees may also catch one of the many civil war or militia reenactments. For those interested in being a part of next year's Winn Fair, whether you want to share your time-honored crafts, are an exhibitor or a food vendor, you can find the appropriate applications below. Select and download the form and either mail it in to our office or email: WinnFair@GwinnettHS.org
More photos dating back to some of our first Winn Fairs are available via our Member's Only Portal*