Peachtree City honors Joel H. Cowan with proclamation and new online exhibit

Peachtree City officials and residents gathered June 18 as the Peachtree City Library unveiled a new online exhibit marking the role of Joel H. Cowan in the city’s development and the council proclaimed June 23, 2026, as Joel H. Cowan Day. Library Director Jill Prouty introduced “The Development of Peachtree City, A New Town for South Metro Atlanta,” a 15‑slide online exhibit designed to make primary sources and local artifacts more accessible.

"The Joel Cowan History Room was established in 1987…to collect and preserve documents and artifacts pertaining to the formation and history of the city of Peachtree City," Prouty said, and thanked volunteers, Friends of the Peachtree City Library and staff who worked on oral‑history transcriptions and finding aids. Prouty framed Cowan as the boots‑on‑the‑ground founder who managed early development and helped secure additional investment that kept the project alive.

Mayor Kim Learned read a proclamation noting Cowan’s service as the city’s first mayor, his role in early engineering efforts such as the second dam on Lake Peachtree, and the establishment of the Joel Cowan History Room in 1987. The council and audience applauded as the proclamation was presented. The library plans to expand the online exhibit with a "who’s who" page naming additional contributors and historical figures.

The presentation highlighted the library’s effort to digitize local records and make them accessible to residents and researchers; staff said more materials and finding aids will be added to the online repository over time. The proclamation and exhibit are ceremonial recognitions; no council action was required beyond adopting the proclamation into the meeting record.