Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center contains much more than just the history of Atlanta. It also includes history of Georgia, the South and the nation and contains items from the early 19th century to the present. There are permanent and temporary exhibits, military items, folk art, textiles, the exquisitely restored Swan House and the Tullie Smith Farm living history center. The Atlanta History Center is much more than just history, however. It also includes a tour of the surrounding gardens and nature trails. We've enjoyed every visit here. Our only complaint is that we never have enough time to fully enjoy all the History Center has to offer. more

The Atlanta History Center is located off West Paces Ferry Road in Northeast Atlanta. It takes about two or three hours to see everything it has to offer and that is if you don't go to the Swan House's servants quarters for concessions. With the museum, the Swan House, and the Tullie Smith House, the area encompasses 32 acres of land showing what life was like in Atlanta before, during, and after the Civil War. The Museum, an 83,000 square foot civil war exhibit, shows off the Atlanta Campaign for the war. With swords, guns, ammo, flags, war memorabilia, and a wooden wagon used by Sherman. It also has permanent exhibits that rotate with tidbits of southern and city culture. "Gone with the Wind" and other American South legacies are on display with that. The Swan House is a double stair cased mansion decorated in swan motifs and built in 1928. Even with its latter building some of the furniture pieces date to the 1700's inside the mansion. There are guided tours throughout the House to replicate life after the war. The Tullie Smith house gazes the life during the war, with its building in 1933. It is one of the very few pre-civil war houses that are still left standing today. The history of the house tells of its owners being big plantation owners, possessing some 800 acres and 11 slaves. Inside the house you get demonstrations of yarn spinning, cooking, and how food was stored at the turn of the century. Take time to walk the trails that wander throughout the woods and gardens, and if you get hungry there is a restaurant and gift shop located in the former servants quarters at the Swan House. Pros: trails, memorabilia, historical, interesting Cons: Will take all day if you let it :) more

This is a nice place to visit when you are hosting family, or when you are new to town. This is housed in Buckhead, and is very good at giving both Atlanta and Georgia history. The Swan House is known for it's lunchroom, and hosted many local events. Children love the little farm in the back, which hosts school field trips. Be sure to check back during holiday seasons: the center often houses re-enactments which are very entertaining. more

I have been to the History Center a few times and each time was different. The exhibits are a great way to learn more about Atlanta's history and you could spend an entire day if you went through the exhibit slowly and read it all. The gift shop has some nice finds and the grounds are fun to explore. I love the old fashioned soda fountain downstairs as well as the old outbuildings and demonstrations. Don't forget to go to the Swan House on the grounds too to see the historic, furnished house. more

This was a great way to learn alot about the Civil War and other important events that affected the Southern states. The exhibits were very educational and allowed involement from the tours. It was enlightining and a good pick to fool the kids into learning something. It was also good to walk around the grounds on the nature trails and explore two historic southern buildings. I never saw real historic structures up close before. The museum is right next to the Governor's Mansion. If you have half a day or a few hours, this an great family activity. more

This small museum actually packs a big punch. I've seen some great traveling exhibits, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood comes to mind. They also have information about Atlanta that you never knew. The Swan Coach house, out on the grounds is worth a visit as is the farm and various other buildings. Oddly, one of the only "southern" feeling things left around here. more

The Atlanta History Center is a great place to spend a day searching through archives and researching family, community history and other popular topics. They welcome field trips, host luncheons and wedding. They have a beautiful garden and feature other houses and properties in Atlanta as well. The AHC is easy to find, near the Governor's Mansion and there is plenty of parking. The staff is super knowledgeable concerning all of their holdings and this history of Atlanta. For any history buff, this is a must see. more