The Atlanta History Center is an American history museum and research center located in the Buckhead district of Atlanta, Georgia. The Museum was founded in 1926, and has a large campus featuring historic gardens and houses, including Swan House, Smith Farm, and Wood Family Cabin. Atlanta History Center's Midtown Campus includes the Margaret Mitchell House & Museum. Atlanta History Center is one of the largest history museums in the Southeast.

History

The Atlanta History Center was founded and chartered in 1926 as the Atlanta Historical Society by Walter McElreath. The vice president was Joel Hunter, and the secretary-treasurer was Ruth Blair, then the Georgia state archivist. Its stated purpose was to preserve historical sources relating to Atlanta, study Atlanta's history, and promote historical interest in Atlanta. of which the last edition was published in 2006.

The first meetings not held in private homes occurred A. G. Rhodes estate offered them rooms and storage space in its castle around 1929. A second employee was hired in 1948. This attracted a significant amount of public interest and volunteering. The organization built a main building on the estate between 1972 and 1975, which was also named the McElreath Hall. The museum constructed an expansion to house the 360-degree panoramic painting, as well as the Texas locomotive, and other pieces in the Cyclorama collection. After a careful restoration, the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama opened to the public February 22, 2019.

In 2018, Atlanta's Zero Mile Post was moved to the Atlanta History Center.

See also

  • Georgia Governor’s Mansion
  • Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
  • List of historical societies in Georgia (U.S. state)
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights

References

  • Atlanta History Center website
  • Atlanta History Center on Google Cultural Institute