Keown Pavilion

The picnic area, located at the railroad spur where visitors to Berry once arrived by train, had outdoor grills and tables added in 1948.  The facility is named in honor of Frances Olmstead Keown, wife of Gordon Keown, long-time resident trustee, who served as acting director of Berry from 1942-1944.  He was trusted advisor to Martha Berry and treasurer of the Berry Board of Trustees.  Mrs. Keown, a charter member of the Mount Berry Garden Club, initiated the project which was, and is, for use of the Berry community.  It has been popular over the years with school classes and other groups visiting Berry College and Oak Hill.

The area near the picnic center was once a lake-- named Victory Lake in honor of Berry men who fought in World War I.  The oak and cypress trees on the banks were planted in honor of Berry men who fought in World War II.  The lake was drained due to natural causes in 1987.  Over a period of time the lake was refilled, but it emptied again in the 1990s.  Efforts to restore the lake have been futile.

The site of the lake was originally a swamp over which an unused railroad trestle stood.  After someone became angry with Miss Berry and burned the trestle, she had the area scooped out and built the dam.

The Keown Picnic Pavillion provides an excellent location for picnics and outdoor meetings. Call 706-236-2227 for more information.