Green Frog Southern Historical Village

The Cotton Museum of the South: The Eatman Gin, Gin Pond, and General Store, Log Cabin B&B, Wedding chapel, and a BBQ restaurant.  The centerpiece of the Cotton Museum of the South is the Eatman Gin. In 2000, the Eatman family donated this four-stand Continental cotton gin to Green Frog for use as a museum. It was restored by a dedicated group of volunteers after being moved to the historic village all the way from Mantua, Ala. The gin produced its last bale in 1957, using equipment manufactured in 1915. Originally powered by a steam engine, the gin now displays a 1920 Fairbanks diesel engine donated by Tom Wade from his family gin in Como, Tenn. A gin was an essential part of a cotton farmer’s life during the early 1900s because it weighed, ginned (removed the seeds), and baled cotton. The Gin Pond is located next to The Eatman Gin. Cotton gins were typically located next to ponds, as the outbreak of a fire was a constant threat. In addition, the ponds served as watering holes for mules that pulled wagons to the gin. he Gin Pond is located next to The Eatman Gin. Cotton gins were typically located next to ponds, as the outbreak of a fire was a constant threat. In addition, the ponds served as watering holes for mules that pulled wagons to the gin. The General Store completes the Cotton Museum of the South, as it was another common accompaniment to a 1900s-era gin. Though the Eatmans additionally donated their country store from Mantua, there was not enough resources to transport the building the substantial 250 miles to Green Frog. However, Miller Petty donated enough lumber to frame the general store. It was modeled after the Eatman’s store, and much of the furniture was also donated by the Eatmans.