Atlanta History Center

Just like the morning temps, our October calendar just dropped! Excited to see you at an upcoming event 💙 ✨

Have you heard? One of Goizueta Gardens’ gorgeous native plants played a special role in early American botanical art! Come explore our beautiful gardens and discover more in the Cherokee Garden Library. Add us to your must-visit list!

With the "More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era" exhibition, there is a display case with a sign titled LOSS. Within the case you'll see an artificial leg, a photograph showing the rows of tombstones in a military cemetery, the button of an orphaned child, and this object.

This is the original grave marker of 2nd Lieutenant John Christoph Schmidt, an immigrant Union soldier who died during the Battle of the Wilderness in May, 1864. Who he was, how he died, what became of his family - none of these details would be found in a history book, but Eric Chaney, our Exhibition Content Specialist for "More Perfect Union", decided to find out.

We loved seeing everyone at Fall Fest this past weekend; a day was had! 🍁 🍂

Special thanks to Georgia 4-H 🍀

If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry! Mark your calendars for Winter Fest on December 5th. We look forward to celebrate with you. 🎄 🎁

🌿 Save the date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Join us for the Cherokee Garden Library's Ashley Wright McIntyre Lecture, featuring Isabella Tree, celebrated author and conservationist behind "The Book of Wilding".

Isabella will share stories and hard-won lessons from her rewilding journey, with plenty of inspiration to take home and put into practice in your own backyard.

Stay after the talk for a book signing and reception; we'd love to see you there! —> https://bit.ly/3TA1cyX

It's game day Sunday! Swing by our "Atlanta Sports" exhibition and catch a fun training video starring Jerious Norwood & Freddie Falcon ? Get pumped for game day with us, can't wait to see you there! 🏈 🎉

Fall Fest is just around the corner! 🍂

Come celebrate with us tomorrow as our campus transforms into a cozy autumn wonderland. From bike-powered smoothies and hayrides to pumpkin bowling and garden scavenger hunts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Got your tickets already? Invite a friend who’d love a day filled with fall fun —> https://bit.ly/45GKWi5

Excitement is an understatement; only 48 hours until we welcome fall 🍂 with Georgia 4-H 🍀 and welcome back the amazing Unforgettables Ginny's Apples! 🍎✨

Tickets are going quick, so grab yours soon and join the fun! —> https://bit.ly/45GKWi5

We hope to see you there!

Grab your tickets now —> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/divided-by-design-a-screening-community-conversation-tickets-2000609053534?aff=oddtdtcreator

Atlanta’s dividing lines were shaped by policy. Now, we’re coming together to understand that history and talk about what comes next.

Join WABE, the Atlanta History Center and the City of Atlanta for a special screening of Racial Zoning: Divided By Design, followed by a community conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

📅 September 22 | 7 p.m.
🚪 Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
📍 Auburn Avenue Research Library

This evening launches a citywide (re)Defining History screening series traveling throughout Atlanta this fall.

Registration link in bio!

Only three days until we kick off an autumnal day at Atlanta History Center with Georgia 4-H! Join us for laughter, learning, and lasting memories. 🍁 🍂 🎉

Secure your tickets now —> https://bit.ly/45GKWi5

We're daydreaming about those autumn days filled with bursts of yellow and purple! 🍂💜

Stroll through our Entrance garden, Quarry, and Wood cabin meadow to soak up the colors. Afterwards, relax in our cozy reading room at the Cherokee Garden Library in Kenan Research Center. You’re sure to find the perfect book for your plant and gardening passions. 📚 🧑‍🌾 🏡

What did Civil War soldiers on both sides of the conflict carry with them in their knapsacks?

Before leaving to join the frontlines, soldiers and their loved ones were making weighted decisions on what to carry and what to leave behind. Visit 'More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era' to unpack more history with us. Grab your tickets now —> https://bit.ly/4x4sg7h

On this day in 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman finally captured the city of Atlanta after a months-long siege on the city. Atlanta’s mayor at the time, James Calhoun, surrendered to the Union Army after Confederate forces abandoned the city the day prior. The victory is often said to be a pivotal moment in the war, essentially assuring President Lincoln’s re-election that November and a final Confederate defeat in the next year.

Fifteen years later, Sherman returned to the city he had devastated during the war, calling cards like this one in hand. His visit was very different from his time in 1864, receiving a warm welcome from Atlantans who had gathered at the train station to welcome him. During his brief visit, he charmed city and state officials (including the new mayor, James Calhoun’s son William) and only made an occasional sly comment about fire.

Learn more about how Atlanta served as the turning point of the Civil War in our new exhibition, More Perfect Union: The American Civil War Era.

📸: Sherman’s Calling Card, Unidentified printer, circa 1879. Gift of the Calhoun Family, 1939. On display in the Archives Gallery as part of our exhibition, Atlanta in 100 Objects.
📸: Gen. William T. Sherman, 1863. From the U.S. National Archives
📸: Page from "Photographic Views of Sherman’s Campaign” by George N. Barnard, published 1866. This copy, owned by General Sherman, is on display in More Perfect Union
📸: Sherman’s order of evacuation for Atlanta citizens, September 8, 1864, handwritten by Sherman himself. On display in More Perfect Union.

Fill your September calendar with these events ✨ 💙 Event calendar —> https://bit.ly/4b5Su0b

Got Labor Day plans? Spend a day in history with us; we'll be open Monday, September 7, 9am-4pm!

Beat the heat and check-in line by grabbing your advance tickets online —> https://bit.ly/4wRTTQL

Still haven’t seen the “Our War Too” exhibition at Atlanta History Center? There’s a little time left! Come by and discover the inspiring stories of these remarkable women before the exhibition wraps up on Monday, September 7!

Fall Fest with 4-H returns September 19 🍂

From 10am-2pm, our whole campus will come alive with harvest fun, fascinating history, and lots of hands-on activities. Try out historic demos, garden projects, fun games, yummy food, and so much more; there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Your Fall Fest ticket covers all the festivities plus general museum admission. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Get your tickets now —> https://bit.ly/45GKWi5

We’re excited to announce our newest exhibition, Joy to the City: Atlanta Smiles at the Camera! Our Centennial celebration continues with a beautiful selection of photos showing joyful moments all across Atlanta. The exhibition opens to everyone on October 3!

We’d love for you to get involved, too! Share your favorite Atlanta photos, whether it’s a fun family snapshot or a professional photo, for a chance to be featured in our digital display. Let’s fill the city with smiles together! https://bit.ly/4hMBpNU

All photos sourced from Kenan Research Center.

🌳 🌙 Luna moths (Actias luna) are an iconic species native to Georgia and among our largest and most spectacular moths. The adults live for only about a week, but their story begins much earlier among the leaves of native trees like sweetgum, hickory, walnut, and persimmon. Every fleeting encounter with an adult luna moth is made possible by the native trees that sustained it as a caterpillar.

Enjoy the shade in Goizueta Gardens under the full canopy of these native species! 🍃 🌲 🦋

Still not over the "Aroused Citizens of Georgia" film. Very proud of our visual archives team for the preservation of this film thanks to the National Film Preservation Grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation.

Check out the film and learn more about the Three Governors Controversy —> https://bit.ly/4xF1SRZ

This weekend marked 48 years since the very first Hotlanta River Expo! 🌊✨

What started as a small raft trip on the Chattahoochee in 1978 soon became a legendary four-day summer celebration. From wild raft races to glamorous pageants and unforgettable dance parties, the Expo brought thousands together and made Atlanta a space of friendship and community.

Cheers to the legacy of Atlanta’s own “grandfather of circuit parties! 🪩

All photos are within the Southern Voice photograph collection in Kenan Research Center visual archives.

August flower flex from our Gardens team 💪 🌺 What an office space! 😍