The Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" events consistently are fun! And they continue to draw large crowds of Atlanta's young professionals, they continue to take place at revealing and interesting venues, and everyone gets to learn about some Atlanta history in a unique and festive way. Oh...and there's cold beer.
Party With the Past occurs approximately every two months. The most recent event, held on Thursday, April 30, 2015, was hosted by the Dekalb History Center in the Historic Dekalb Courthouse, which sits front and center in downtown Decatur.
Decatur is a hotbed for restaurants and mixology! When you visit the Dekalb History Center, be sure to stick around and check out the amazing restaurant scene. There's lots to experience!
The Dekalb History Center's museum was open throughout the evening. The main program took place in a space now used as a special events facility, the Old Superior Courtroom. One of the Dekalb History Center's representatives shared with us that she couldn't remember so many people being in that room when it wasn't a wedding! We were glad and grateful to see such a spectacular historic building.
Part of the history presentation was an illuminating trivia contest about...you guessed it, Dekalb County and Decatur history! I'm still amazed at how much I learned—about the county in which I reside—in the span of only a few minutes.
There were three teams competing in the trivia contest. Picture above is the winning team of Marilyn, Manan and Memo (I hope I got your names right!). They breezed through the questions as if they've lived in Dekalb County since its founding in 1822. Obviously that's not the case...they're just that brilliant!
I'm not covert when photographing an event or attraction, but I do try to blend in and not at all be obtrusive. There are the humorous times when I get the "I see you" eyes (black and white dress) or looks. I'm sure I blush a little, nod and sometimes say hello, offer a card, or—depending on what else the look might be saying—I might move on to the next shutterbug opportunity. This one was a fun one.
Have you ever been in a museum or an antique shop and see something that made you think, "Seriously? Am I that old?!" I remember the first time I saw in an antique shop the round, penguin-adorned aluminum biscuit covered bowl that was always on the dinner table. Turns out, I was that old AND that it wasn't a biscuit container...it was a post-war (post-WWII) art deco ice bucket! I laughed so hard when I finally learned that!
I wonder who is teaching who history in the above photo! Every Party With the Past event I've attended has been populated with super nice people and great conversation!
If you've never been to a Party With the Past event, check them out. They've been great fun over the years. A couple in particular that I really enjoyed were hosted at the Swan House (Gatsby-style!) and at Zoo Atlanta. Their increasingly long list of participating venues is quite impressive, and some have taken even me to places I'd not yet visited!
Watch for announcements for future Party With the Past events!
Having been though "Turning Point: The American Civil War" museum at the Atlanta History Center more times than I can count, I want to invite you to explore the Dekalb History Center's "Tears and Curses: A Human Focus on the Civil War".
The exhibit presents a small portion of their Civil War collection focused on a local scale and from the point of view of an individual. The title is from a letter in their collection written by Private Dewitt C. Morgan to a woman who may have been a sweetheart.
"Dairies in Dekalb" is a one-room exhibit focusing on the history of dairy farming in Dekalb County in the 20th Century. Why do I note it here? This exhibit was provided in part by proceeds from the 2009 Great Decatur Craft BeerFestival (Saturday, October 17 in 2015)…and we were drinking beer! AND they have a life-sized replica of Rosebud, the famous cow mascot for Mathis Dairy.
If you're visiting Atlanta, you've probably already seen quite a few cows. Not far outside of downtown Atlanta you can find cow pastures. Swimming in our ocean of road and highway-side billboards are tons of cows, advertising for Chick-fil-A, headquartered right here in Atlanta. And there's always the two-headed cow in the Georgia State Capitol Building's fourth floor museum. Cows are everywhere!
I should have already mentioned the beer sponsors! There were four...
I don't know if this is new, but this was the first time I'd seen the Party With the Past pint glasses. I like them so much I bought two! Do you recognize the symbol in the center of the event's tagline? Go on a tour of the Swan House and you'll find out exactly what it is!
The next Party With the Past is scheduled for June 18, 2015, at The Wren's Nest, historic home of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus tales.
You've all heard of the theory of "six degrees of separation", right? Well, when I visited The Wren's Nest, my tour guide was the then Executive Director who is also the great, great, great grandson of Harris. To tie the upcoming event to Party With the Past, one of the recent Party With the Past events was held at Westview Cemetery, which is where Joel Chandler Harris' corporeal remains are at rest.
Enough of that from me. Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center, you'll learn some fascinating history at the next Party With the Past at The Wren's Nest in June...and the'll have cold beer!
(I was a paying attendee at this event and I'm an Atlanta History Center member of many years. All opinions and writings are my own.)
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| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
Party With the Past occurs approximately every two months. The most recent event, held on Thursday, April 30, 2015, was hosted by the Dekalb History Center in the Historic Dekalb Courthouse, which sits front and center in downtown Decatur.
Decatur is a hotbed for restaurants and mixology! When you visit the Dekalb History Center, be sure to stick around and check out the amazing restaurant scene. There's lots to experience!
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
The Dekalb History Center's museum was open throughout the evening. The main program took place in a space now used as a special events facility, the Old Superior Courtroom. One of the Dekalb History Center's representatives shared with us that she couldn't remember so many people being in that room when it wasn't a wedding! We were glad and grateful to see such a spectacular historic building.
Part of the history presentation was an illuminating trivia contest about...you guessed it, Dekalb County and Decatur history! I'm still amazed at how much I learned—about the county in which I reside—in the span of only a few minutes.
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
There were three teams competing in the trivia contest. Picture above is the winning team of Marilyn, Manan and Memo (I hope I got your names right!). They breezed through the questions as if they've lived in Dekalb County since its founding in 1822. Obviously that's not the case...they're just that brilliant!
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
I'm not covert when photographing an event or attraction, but I do try to blend in and not at all be obtrusive. There are the humorous times when I get the "I see you" eyes (black and white dress) or looks. I'm sure I blush a little, nod and sometimes say hello, offer a card, or—depending on what else the look might be saying—I might move on to the next shutterbug opportunity. This one was a fun one.
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
Have you ever been in a museum or an antique shop and see something that made you think, "Seriously? Am I that old?!" I remember the first time I saw in an antique shop the round, penguin-adorned aluminum biscuit covered bowl that was always on the dinner table. Turns out, I was that old AND that it wasn't a biscuit container...it was a post-war (post-WWII) art deco ice bucket! I laughed so hard when I finally learned that!
The first time I saw the above pictured knotty pine paneled living room (a year or two ago), flashbacks from the 70s bombarded me! Even if vaguely, I remember rooms like this...that people lived in, including my family.
Those were the days! I wonder what kids being born today will think of 2015 interior design. I guess I wasn't brave enough to ask the millennial attendees what they thought of this room.
Those were the days! I wonder what kids being born today will think of 2015 interior design. I guess I wasn't brave enough to ask the millennial attendees what they thought of this room.
If you're a fan of the FX show American Horror Story, you may be familiar with perhaps the funniest knotty pine line is all of history. Jessica Lange is amazing! If you're not a fan of the show, forget I said anything about it.
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
I wonder who is teaching who history in the above photo! Every Party With the Past event I've attended has been populated with super nice people and great conversation!
If you've never been to a Party With the Past event, check them out. They've been great fun over the years. A couple in particular that I really enjoyed were hosted at the Swan House (Gatsby-style!) and at Zoo Atlanta. Their increasingly long list of participating venues is quite impressive, and some have taken even me to places I'd not yet visited!
Watch for announcements for future Party With the Past events!
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
Having been though "Turning Point: The American Civil War" museum at the Atlanta History Center more times than I can count, I want to invite you to explore the Dekalb History Center's "Tears and Curses: A Human Focus on the Civil War".
The exhibit presents a small portion of their Civil War collection focused on a local scale and from the point of view of an individual. The title is from a letter in their collection written by Private Dewitt C. Morgan to a woman who may have been a sweetheart.
Even viewing such solemn topic matter, I find it heartwarming to see young people connecting with history, especially local history. I'm grateful to Dekalb History Center and Atlanta History Center for presenting such opportunities.
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
"Dairies in Dekalb" is a one-room exhibit focusing on the history of dairy farming in Dekalb County in the 20th Century. Why do I note it here? This exhibit was provided in part by proceeds from the 2009 Great Decatur Craft BeerFestival (Saturday, October 17 in 2015)…and we were drinking beer! AND they have a life-sized replica of Rosebud, the famous cow mascot for Mathis Dairy.
If you're visiting Atlanta, you've probably already seen quite a few cows. Not far outside of downtown Atlanta you can find cow pastures. Swimming in our ocean of road and highway-side billboards are tons of cows, advertising for Chick-fil-A, headquartered right here in Atlanta. And there's always the two-headed cow in the Georgia State Capitol Building's fourth floor museum. Cows are everywhere!
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
I should have already mentioned the beer sponsors! There were four...
- Red Brick Brewing
- These folks are awesome! Great beer, fun tours & tastings!
- Wild Heaven Craft Beers
- Located in Decatur, they also offer tours & tastings.
- BlueTarp Brewing
- Also located in Decatur, they too offer tours & tastings.
- Three Taverns Brewery
- They're in Decatur, too, and offer tours and tastings.
I'm embarrassed to say, that of the four I've only been to Red Brick, even though I live in Dekalb County! For a tourist like me, that's just wrong! A wrong that I fully intend to make right. Especially now that I know they all make great beer! I still love me some Red Brick!
 |
| Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" | Dekalb History Center |
I don't know if this is new, but this was the first time I'd seen the Party With the Past pint glasses. I like them so much I bought two! Do you recognize the symbol in the center of the event's tagline? Go on a tour of the Swan House and you'll find out exactly what it is!
The next Party With the Past is scheduled for June 18, 2015, at The Wren's Nest, historic home of Joel Chandler Harris, author of the Uncle Remus tales.
You've all heard of the theory of "six degrees of separation", right? Well, when I visited The Wren's Nest, my tour guide was the then Executive Director who is also the great, great, great grandson of Harris. To tie the upcoming event to Party With the Past, one of the recent Party With the Past events was held at Westview Cemetery, which is where Joel Chandler Harris' corporeal remains are at rest.
Enough of that from me. Courtesy of the Atlanta History Center, you'll learn some fascinating history at the next Party With the Past at The Wren's Nest in June...and the'll have cold beer!
(I was a paying attendee at this event and I'm an Atlanta History Center member of many years. All opinions and writings are my own.)
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