History

HISTORY
 
Atlanta Cyclorama in Grant Park -- Completed over a hundred years ago, it's a 50-foot-high circular painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta from one specific spot on Dekalb Avenue. Visitors sit in a bleacher section that rotates around inside. (Look for Clark Gable in the tableau.) The building also houses "The Texas," the locomotive that chased and caught "The General" in the Civil War's Great Locomotive Chase (see Kennesaw Civil War Museum, below.) 800 Cherokee Av SE. 404-658-7625.
 
Atlanta History Center -- Houses exhibits from Atlanta's past, especially the Civil War era. Also on the 32-acre complex is the 1920s Swan House as well as the 1840s Tullie Smith House, which was originally located near what is now Executive Park off of North Druid Hills Road. The lifestyle of old Georgia is demonstrated, and the Center serves as site of various festivals throughout the year. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW. 404-814-4000.
 
Bulloch Hall (Roswell) -- If Roswell were south of Atlanta, this 1840 home might well have been burned down during Sherman's March to the Sea. It was the home of Martha Bulloch, mother of Teddy Roosevelt and Grandmother of Eleanor. A Roswell city-owned cultural center is housed there now. 180 Bulloch Av, Roswell.
770-992-1731
 
Carter Library & Museum -- The Center is a cluster of non-profit groups trying to reduce worldwide suffering and conflict, the Library is where scholars can research the Jimmy Carter presidential era, and the Museum exhibits memorabilia of his presidency, and includes a mock-up of the Oval Office. 441 Freedom Parkway. 404-865-7100.
 
Ebenezer Baptist Church -- Founded in 1886, it was Martin Luther King Jr.'s church, and his father's before him. It seats about 750, and was usually packed for the two services on Sunday until the congregation moved to a new structure nearby. U.S. Park Rangers give tours on the hour; at other times, tours are self-guided. 407 Auburn Avenue. 404-688-7263
 
Federal Reserve Bank Monetary Museum -- A museum of the history of money and banking, housed on the third floor of the Federal Reserve Bank. 1000 Peachtree St NE. .404-498-8777
 
Herndon Home -- Alonzo Herndon was a former slave who owned a string of barber shops, then founded an insurance company (Atlanta Life) to become Atlanta's first black millionaire. The 1910 house is near the Morris Brown College campus, 587 University Pl NW. 404-581-9813.
 
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (Marietta) -- A bloody battle that lasted for days and ended in stalemate, on Sherman's historic approach to Atlanta. Old Hwy 41 & Stilesboro Rd, Marietta. 770-427-4686
 
Kennesaw Civil War Museum -- (Formerly the Big Shanty Museum.) If you're familiar with Buster Keaton's The General (or Fess Parker's Great Locomotive Chase), you may be interested in seeing "The General," the actual locomotive involved in that real-life Civil War episode, at home near where the chase began. It's located in a restored cotton gin that now serves as a museum. ("The Texas," the OTHER locomotive that eventually caught up with Andrews Raiders, is housed at the Atlanta Cyclorama in Grant Park.) 2829 Cherokee St, Kennesaw. 770-427-2117
 
Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site -- He was born, raised, lived and worked all in the same neighborhood. His birth home is a ten-room house at 501 Auburn Avenue, built in 1894 and bought in 1909 by King's grandfather. The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, at 449 Auburn, is an early learning center, archives and library, and is the location of King's tomb (404-524-1956). National Park Service, 522 Auburn Av NE. 404-331-5190
 
Historic Mable House -- "An example of a plantation plain home, built circa 1843. Listed in the National Historic Register. Appointments are needed for groups of eight or more." 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton (13 miles west of Atlanta). Operated by the South Cobb Arts Alliance and Cobb County Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs. 770-819-3285
 
Oakland Cemetary -- Dating from the 1850s, this city-owned cemetary is the resting place of Atlanta's first mayor, golfer Bobby Jones, Gone With The Wind author Margaret Mitchell, and scores of Civil War soldiers. A nice place to visit on a nice day. Check the website for information about tours. 248 Oakland Av SE.
404-688-2107
 
Peachtree Creek -- Not much to do but look at it. There was a Civil War battle here, in Tanyard Park on Collier Road, a little west of Peachtree Road.
 
Stately Oaks Plantation Community (Jonesboro) -- Looking for an antebellum house? (Isn't everybody who passes through GWTW country?) This Greek Revival mansion was built in 1839 and sports a wide central hall, double gallery porches, and a country store/museum shop. 100 Carriage Lane, Jonesboro.
770-473-0197
 
Robert C. Williams American Museum of Papermaking -- It's run by Georgia Tech. 500 10th St. 404-894-6663.
 
Williams-Payne House (Sandy Springs) -- You've heard of antebellum? This is an example of POST-bellum (built in 1869, after the war) living. The house was originally somewhere else, and moved next to the sandy spring for which the community was named. 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111
 
Wren's Nest -- Once the home of Joel Chandler Harris (of Uncle Remus fame), now the restored building houses his memorabilia and hosts storytelling activities and a museum shop. 1050 Ralph D. Abernathy Blvd SW. 404-753-8535
Website.. http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta/har.htm

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