Virginia Torbert Treasures

This photo of Winecoff fire victim Virginia Torbert is surrounded by three of her simple treasures: a decorative tea set, a bracelet (recovered from the fire scene) and a bottle of cologne, given to her by a suitor, Charles Greene. Today the items are kept safe and held dear by her sister Barbara.

Virginia Torbert's story is told on pages 88, 169, 175 and 233 of The Winecoff Fire: The Untold Story of America's Deadliest Hotel Fire.

Mary Minor Photos Newly Acquired

Mary Minor and Daughter Mimi

This newly acquired photo of Winecoff fire victim Mary Minor comes to us courtesy of her daughter, Mimi Minor Duncan, who was four years old at the time of the fire. Mary Minor and four Thomston Youth Assembly delegates perished in room 1430. Mary Minor was 31. More photos are here.

Thomaston Plaques Re-dedicated

A crowd of seventy people filled Memorial Hall in Thomaston, Georgia to re-dedicate the plaques honoring the Youth Assembly delegates and their faculty advisor who perished in the Winecoff Hotel fire. Friends, family and classmates of Mary Minor, Earlene Adamas, Patsy Uphold, Christy Hinson and Virginia Torbert were among those who gathered to remember the five young women, who when faced with certain death, showed uncommon faith and courage.

Patsy Uphold's Bible was recovered from room 1430

Firefighters found evidence of panic throughout the hotel. But not in room 1430. There they found this Bible on the bedside table, opened to this page containing the verse: "Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled..." Beside the Bible, the five suffocation victims lay peacefully, side by side, on a double bed.

Ed Cliburn

Reverend Edwin L. Cliburn addressed the crowd calling the Winecoff fire a "defining moment" for Thomaston. He called it, "a time of supreme sorrow." But one that inspired a spiritual rebirth that eventually "had a good wholesome impact" on the city.

Thomaston-Upson Couny Archivist Claude Burgess stands beside the newly re-dedicated plaques. He often fields questions about the Winecoff fire.

The re-dedication was organized by Donna Auth.
The Thomaston Times' front page coverage is here.
Also see: Thomaston Girls Remembered.

Thomaston Girls Remembered

Patsy Uphold

Winecoff Fire reader Mary Marsh has written a lovely remembrance of the Youth Assembly delegates from Thomaston, Georgia and their faculty adviser who perished in the fire. In it she examines their high school yearbooks, the lives they led, their final night and the fire's dramatic impact on the Middle Georgia town. Click here.