Founded in 1926, the Atlanta Historical Society's aim was to help preserve the city’s history. Since that humble beginning, the organisation has grown immensely and has a 13-hectare site in Buckhead, north of downtown with two museums, two historic houses and six gardens. Covering everything from Atlanta's growth into the South's leading city to its more recent turbulent history during the Civil Rights Movement and with its collection of Civil War relics, the complex is a must for anyone interested in history.
It's easy to spend several hours exploring the exhibits here. If you're interested in folk culture, the Shaping Traditions exhibit displays artefacts from ancient times to today in the form of traditional handicrafts such as pottery, quilting, woodwork and weaving. War buffs will enjoy the Turning Point exhibit which has a collection of 1,500 artefacts from both sides of the Civil War. For more recent history, the Metropolitan Frontiers exhibit details Atlanta's rapid rise to its current position as the South's major city.
The two historic homes on the campus are the Tullie Smith Farm and the Swan House. By walking through these elegant homes, you can head back in time and explore the lifestyles of Atlantans from the 1860s through to the 1930s. The centre’s third historic property, the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, is in the heart of Midtown Atlanta.
After a visit to the museums and the historic houses, take a stroll through the six separate gardens that surround the buildings. Each garden tells the story of a different group of people who interacted with the land and its plants.
The Atlanta History Center offers a general admission pass which includes access to all parts of the centre, as well as the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum in downtown. The centre is open every day apart from major national holidays.
