Why the name Bartram?
In deciding what to name the educational component of the Baldwin State Forest it was decided by the Georgia Forestry Commission to honor the works and history of pioneer naturalists with hopes of continuing their spirit of exploration, learning, and sharing with others.
The first great naturalists in colonial America were John Bartram (1699-1777) and his son William Bartram (1739-1823).
Together and separately they traveled throughout the eastern parts of America documenting native plants with drawings
and written descriptions.
In his book Travels (1791) William Bartram describes crossing the Oconee River and traveling across what is now the
southern part of Baldwin County, Georgia. In these travels he crossed the land of Baldwin State Forest.
