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Public invited to witness historic event

 

COLUMBUS—The Polk County Historical Association Museum is preparing for the relocation of one of its most treasured artifacts. The historic Park Drag Coach, also known as the Tally Ho Coach, will be moved to a newly constructed, specialized exhibit space on Friday, April 25.

The relocation of the historic Park Drag Coach from 60 Walker Road to its new home at the House of Flags Museum will begin at 8 a.m. and is expected to take four to five hours. The carefully orchestrated move will be coordinated by museum staff and volunteers, with assistance from Jackson’s Towing and local fire departments.

The public is invited to witness this historic event as the coach travels two blocks to its new home, marking a significant moment in preserving Polk County’s rich equestrian heritage.

“This is truly a must-see event for our community,” said PCHA board member Susan Speight. “The coach represents a vital piece of Polk County’s equestrian history, and its new home will allow for enhanced preservation and improved public access.”

At its new location, the coach will be showcased in a specially designed, glass-enclosed exhibit area at the front of the House of Flags Museum. This climate-controlled space will protect this delicate historical artifact while making it more accessible to visitors.

The Park Drag, a lighter, fancier coach, was most often used for sport and play. The originals were called park coaches, and were used for cargo and transportation. Park coaches were later modified to Park drags or Tally Ho coaches and used to carry food, passengers, and refreshments on leisurely excursions instead of heavy cargo.

This particular coach was owned by Colonel Frank and Mary Coxe of the Coxe Plantation. Named Maude, in honor of their daughter, it dates back to the late 1800s with a significant history of recreational use. The Tryon Riding & Hunting Club donated this coach to the museum in 1982.

The House of Flags Museum is located at 33 Gibson Street. For more information, contact Speight at (803) 429-6242 or scspeight@windstream.net