Atlanta History Center

Welcome to the Atlanta History Center, an expansive thirty-three-acre campus nestled in the lush, forested neighborhood of Buckhead. As you step onto the grounds, you are immediately enveloped by the dense, continuous canopy of…

As you enter the main building, your eyes are immediately drawn to an awe-inspiring behemoth of black iron and polished brass occupying the atrium. This is the locomotive known as the Texas, an extraordinary machine built in…

Just beyond the massive shadow of the Texas locomotive sits an artifact that is significantly smaller in physical stature, yet arguably possesses even greater historical gravity. This weathered, unassuming block of stone is the…

Leaving the industrial origins of the city behind, we now enter the Gatheround exhibition, a dynamic space dedicated to the rich, human tapestry of Atlanta. This gallery is a vibrant, multi-sensory exploration of the individuals,…

We now transition into one of the most comprehensive and sobering spaces in the entire museum: the Turning Point exhibition. This massive gallery houses one of the nation's largest collections of American Civil War artifacts,…

Continuing through the Turning Point exhibition, we arrive at a space dedicated to the defining moment of the war in this region: the fall of Atlanta in the late summer of eighteen sixty-four. Displayed before you are two…

Prepare yourself for a visual experience unlike any other as we enter the custom-built theater housing The Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama. As you walk out onto the central viewing platform, you are immediately engulfed in a…

Stepping away from the heavy solemnity of military history, we now enter a gallery that celebrates a deliciously vibrant aspect of American cultural heritage: the Barbecue Nation exhibition. Opened in celebration of national…

To fully appreciate the scope of the Atlanta History Center, we must now step outside the main museum building and follow the pathways into the property's lush exterior. As you walk the trails, the modern architecture fades away,…

A short walk from the rustic simplicity of the Smith Farm brings you face to face with one of the most breathtaking architectural treasures in the American South: the majestic Swan House. Built in nineteen twenty-eight, this…

As our extensive tour of the Atlanta History Center draws to a close, take a moment to pause near the quiet, shaded trails of the Quarry Garden. Reflect on the immense scope of the chronological journey you have undertaken today. …