Once-in-a-Lifetime Tour of the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama and Texas Locomotive

For a short time, you don't have the have the fame of Clark Gable to see the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama painting up close, and you don't have to chase railroad saboteurs to take a 'ride' on the Texas Locomotive. On Saturdays, until sometime this fall, you can tour the future exhibition space and aforementioned historical icons on an exclusive, private guided tour at the Atlanta History Center.

Texas Locomotive | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

The Atlanta History Center announced in 2014 that it had acquired the Texas Locomotive and the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama.

The Texas was sent to the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C. for restoration before being moved to the Atlanta History Center.

"After many years of limited view in the basement of the Cyclorama building in Grant Park, we are putting the Texas in a place where it is going to be front and center," History Center Vice President of Properties Jackson McQuigg said of the locomotive, which will be illuminated at night and clearly visible from West Paces Ferry Road at all hours. "This engine that has been at times forgotten in its long lifetime is going to become a focal point."

Even though the exhibit doesn't open until this fall, even now when you pass by the Atlanta History Center after dark, you'll see the Texas front and center, brilliantly illuminated behind a floor-to-ceiling glass window...it's a striking sight!

Texas Locomotive | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

Major funding for the new gallery showcasing the Texas was provided by the Gary W. Rollins Foundation. CSX Corporation is major sponsor for the exhibition that will interpret the Texas’ remarkable history.

The Texas and the General, the General being the star attraction at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia, are the sole surviving locomotives that once served the Western & Atlantic Railroad, a company key in Atlanta's early development.

While the Southen Museum does a great job discussing the locomotives' roles in The Great Locomotive Chase, the Atlanta History Center selected to restore the Texas to its 1886 paint scheme—black, gold and some red—to complement the Battle of Atlanta painting, which was completed in 1886. The Center will focus less on The Great Locomotive Chase and more on the role of transportation's role—specifically railroads—in growing Atlanta.

If you're a fan of the Miami Dolphins, you're going to love this! During the restoration process, conservators discovered that the Texas had previously been painted teal and orange! There is currently no evidence why it was painted those colors. What a sight it must have been!

That's only one of the cornucopia of facts you'll learn on this 90-minute tour. Bring your camera (no flash photography, of course) and sense of adventure! 

Texas Locomotive | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

It was on April 12, 1862 that Union Army loyalists commandeered the General from the town of Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) and drove it north toward Chattanooga, wreaking destruction to the W&A line, until finally being caught by Confederate forces who had pursued aboard the Texas.

The Great Locomotive Chase lives large in pop culture as the subject of a 1926 Buster Keaton film and a popular 1956 Disney movie of the same name, as well as in dozens of books.

My big Sheldon moment: I got to ring the bell on the Texas Locomotive! 

You can, too! Tour participants, with great excitement, get to 'climb aboard' the Texas, stand where her engineers once stood, and can ring its bell and let their imaginations wander through the train's adventures from 1856 until it was retired in 1907.

Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

The wonderful thing about this tour right now is that you'll be one of only a hand few of people who got to walk right up to the Cyclorama and explore it in great detail.Once the dioramas go in, that opportunity will be erased from possibility.

Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

New structures have been built to display the Texas Locomotive and the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama. The structure was built around the Texas after she was moved in place, and the Cyclorama was placed in its display room from above.

This fly-through animation was an early concept video of what the space would look like and much of what's been built-out does indeed look like this, except for the placement of the Texas.

You'll notice in the video that visitors pass through a tunnel before venturing up to the viewing platform to see the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama. That tunnel will be built on the lower level and lead to the escalators you see in the photo above!

That's one of the things that makes THIS tour unique and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Once that tunnel is built and the dioramas are in place, there's no more up-close-and-personal with the Cyclorama painting. That experience is now or never!

Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

The artist in me totally geeked out seeing a restoration professional's painting palette. The talent, precision, and insight required to restore priceless artifacts almost boggles the mind. More than that, it's impressive and admirable. I am grateful for those who have chosen to make restoration their life's work. 

Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

The tour goes through more than just the Battle of Atlanta. You will hear about the hand full of other Cycloramas around the world—there aren't many! You will hear about the designers and painters and today's conservators. Based on a number of factors, this incredibly insightful tour takes more than an hour with some extra time at the end to explore more!

Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

If you're a fan or a regular visitor at the Atlanta History Center, you probably noticed that the new space encompasses the gallery where the Centennial Olympic Games Museum once was. I've been told by multiple sources that it will return, but have no further details at this time. I've stood in the modern Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece, and attended soccer games during the 1996 Olympic Games...I'll be super-excited to see the return of that exhibition, but I'm loving this one, too!

Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

If you're a local, you'll immediately recognize our Stone Mountain (East of Atlanta) and Kennesaw Mountain (Northwest of Atlanta) in the painting's horizon. You'll see a number of houses, too, that your tour guide will share the significance of. 

It was 20 years after the war that artists from Milwaukee came to Atlanta to sketch our terrain for the painting. Although you see a capital building in the Atlanta skyline, it wasn't until four years after the conclusion of the Battle of Atlanta that Atlanta was even made the capital of Georgia. During the war, Milledgeville—about and hour and 40 minutes Southeast toward Savannah—held that distinction.

There are other oddities points of interest that your tour guide will share with you. I think you'll be completely and totally fascinated!   

Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama | Atlanta History Center | Photo: Travis. S Taylor

The group I toured with was great! There were youngsters and retirees, locals and visitors. And our tour guide Jami was magnificent! She's well-versed in the history of the Texas Locomotive and the Battle of Atlanta Cyclorama and she's incredibly hospitable. She made sure to keep the group together and to speak to 'all of us'...she made it a fun group experience!

I'm told that these tours will be offered for as long as they do not interfere with the conservators' work, which is expected to be until near the time of the opening of the exhibitions to the public this fall. 

But don't wait. The last time I know of that anyone getting this close to the Cyclorama was in 1939 when Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, and Olivia DeHaviland toured it the day after the premiere of Gone With the Wind. For a short while, you don't have to have Hollywood fame to see one of only a few handful of remaining Cycloramas in the world.

Tours are available at 1:00pm on Saturdays or you can call and make prior arrangements. The cost of the tour varies based on your involvement with the Atlanta History Center.

Go see some history, and two remarkable artifacts that are being brought back to new.

(NOTE: Although I'm a longtime member of the Atlanta History Center—a membership that I use frequently—the Center treated me to a ticket for this tour. All opinions are my own, not influenced by the Center or anyone else.)

Road to Tara Unveils the Civil War

I recently received an hospitable invitation back to the Road to Tara Museum for a preview of their newest exhibits, which open to the public this weekend.

The two exhibits, which share the same space, are "The Battle of Atlanta" and "The Battle of Jonesboro", highly appropriate given that Road to Tara Museum is in historic downtown Jonesboro.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

As you probably know, the Road to Tara Museum's primary focus is on the Gone With the Wind book and film, which makes the new exhibits perfect companions—given Gone With the Wind is set in the US Civil War.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

The exhibit features photographs, drawings, paintings, maps, uniforms, books, models, and other artifacts that range from a sword to a wooden canteen, and a whole lot more!

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

I had the pleasure of talking with Danielle Conroy, Director of Marketing and Management for the Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau, about the importance of the new exhibits to Gone With the Wind and Jonesboro.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

Noting that some of the global success of Gone With the Wind has been attributed to author Margaret Mitchell's being told stories of the Civil War by veterans of that war, I asked Danielle why is it important for museums like Road to Tara Museum to retell local history through exhibits like the "The Battle of Jonesboro" and the "The Battle of Atlanta"? 

Danielle said, "Gone With The Wind would have been a different story if Margaret Mitchell hadn't grown up hearing her family's stories. It's important to document and display what happened locally to the people involved and the town so the history of the smaller battles and personal accounts aren't lost."

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

I wholeheartedly agree with Danielle that the stories have to be retold so that they're not lost. History is riddled with lost knowledge and it breaks my heart every time I head one of those stories. So, with that, the Museum gains my admiration for adding these exhibits—that they're done well is a bonus!

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

There's a lot going on in conjunction with the launch of the new exhibits. I asked Danielle what's "the one can't-miss event," to which she shared, "We are hosting a year of events to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Gone With The Wind and commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The event you don't want to miss is our kickoff event, 'Rhett and Scarlett Reunited…For the Evening.' Tickets are $25 and advance tickets are required. You can get tickets by calling (800) 662-7829. Ticket holders will enjoy a VIP Reception, commemorative gifts and a photo opportunity with Rhett and Scarlett."

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

I'd be remiss if I didn't interject how wonderful the Museum staff are. I've been there twice just in the last month and was treated with the greatest hospitality and courteousness. Road to Tara has afforded me a greater appreciation for Gone With the Wind, the Civil War, and Jonesboro itself. 

Danielle was also the one who told me about "Reflections of Hollywood's Golden Era—Movies Connecting the Past and Future" exhibition at Arts Clayton Gallery, which is just a block from Road to Tara.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

I had to ask the question, "What's the greatest 'surprise' visitors can expect to see in the new exhibits at Road to Tara?" Danielle decidedly noted, "The Battle of Jonesboro, even though small compared to others, was a decisive battle. With Jonesboro's supply rail lines being cut, it eventually led to the fall of Atlanta."

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

The Battle of Jonesboro was a two-day battle and Confederate losses were great. The Battle of Jonesboro exhibit notes a number of nearby places that have important ties to the US Civil War, including a Confederate cemetery.

Civil War Exhibits, Road to Tara Museum

While there, I ran into a couple of locals—who had just come from the Southern Belles & Whistles Tour, which starts and finishes at Road to Tara—who commented that they recognized lots of the places noted in the exhibit.

Without hesitation, I highly recommend a visit to Road to Tara Museum, and  be sure you catch the new Civil War exhibits...you're going to enjoy it all!

Atlanta Cyclorama: The Pivotal Day of the American Civil War

Atlanta Cyclorama

When they coined the phrase "Big things come in small packages," they must have had in mind the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum. The centerpiece of this attraction is the world's largest oil painting—the Atlanta Cyclorama. Also inside the modest-size building is a steam locomotive, a full-on museum, a theater, and a gift shop.

I had never been to the Cyclorama, other than walking past the building on my way to Zoo Atlanta, which it's immediately adjacent to. That was partly because the building "seemed" modest in size.

So, I wasn't enticed to schedule a whole afternoon for such a small space. "I'm in the mood for a marathon tour," I kept thinking to myself.

As Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) told the shopkeepers on Rodeo Drive, "Big mistake. Big!"

Civil War hats

Focusing on indoor tour options (It's been in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit this week in Atlanta.), I finally decided to visit the Cyclorama. It's all indoors and the (free) parking is very close to the entrance (I still have to pull my hat and gloves out of storage!).

The Cyclorama building is actually quite impressive…even more so once you're on the grounds. On the entrance level there's a Civil War cannon (facing away from the building…always a good idea) and a modern steel and brass arch supported by four columns, artistically melded into classic sandstone columns.

On the second level, accessible via a broad open-arm staircase, there are four multi-story columns flanked by relief carvings on either side. The building seemed small, but it turns out that it's actually rather stately.

The Atlanta Cyclorama

American Civil War cannon

Photographs are permitted everywhere except in the theater and inside the Cyclorama itself (you can take as many photos as you like in the Museum). I'll offer some highlights, but know that it's a must-see-in-real-life exhibit.

The Cyclorama depicts the events of the Battle of Atlanta…the turning point in the American Civil War. It's the world's largest oil painting and one of only three cyclorama paintings in the United States.

It's painted not on canvas, but on fine linen and weighs nearly 10,000 pounds. It's as tall as a four-story building and if laid out flat (Hopefully nothing like that would ever happen to an irreplaceable piece of history!), it would span approximately the length of a football field.

The painting took only two years for 11 artists to complete (1864-1865). Commissioned by Illinois Senator John A. Logan, who died two days before its completion, the Cyclorama has passed hands numerous times, but eventually returned to Atlanta. It has been on display in Historic Grant Park since 1893 and housed at the Cyclorama since 1927.

Civil War leaders

Immediately in front of the painting is a 360 degree, 30-feet deep diorama that was added in 1936. Crafted of Georgia red clay and other materials, the diorama features models of 128 soldiers (the tallest is three feet, the smallest is 17 inches). Other depictions in the diorama include roads, railroad tracks, and trees destroyed by cannon fire.

Our tour guide told us that Clark Gable visited the Cyclorama in 1939, the year Gone With the Wind premiered here in Atlanta (he played Rhett Butler). It was said that he commented that the exhibit was good but that it would be great if he were part of it. Later, his likeness was added to the diorama…probably not as he'd imagined, Gable is portrayed as a fallen Confederate soldier.

Said quite well in one of the Museum's pamphlets, the Cyclorama experience is quite moving:

"…the deafening blast of cannons, the soldiers' screams and the earth-shaking charges from the infantry fill the room. It's July 22, 1864. In a desperate attempt to thwart the destruction of Atlanta, General John B. Hood has launched an offensive against the better equipped federal army. By the end of that day, the injured, dead and missing would total nearly 12,000."

The Atlanta Cyclorama is the most detailed account of a single day in human history that I have ever seen or experienced, a day that would forever shape the future of Atlanta and the country.

Atlanta Cycloroma Video

The Tour

The tour of the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum is a hybrid guided and self-guided excursion.

The guided portion of the tour consists of a welcome and viewing of a 14-minute film about the events that led up to the Battle of Atlanta, known as the Atlanta Campaign.

cannon and
etched glass window

The film is very well presented and includes all live footage (reenactments of the various battles of the Campaign). It's narrated by the booming voice of James Earl Jones.

The Atlanta Campaign film ends at the conclusion of the Campaign, the day before the Battle of Atlanta.

The tour continues inside the Atlanta Cyclorama. My group, as are all visitors, was welcomed into the Cyclorama theater being advised that the best seats are on the third row and above.

The theater in which visitors sit, massive itself with 184 seats, rotates 360 degrees. It turns one full revolution during an automated-narration program and once more when visitors are welcomed to the observation deck and the tour guide shares additional insight into the painting's history.

The exit of the tour deposits visitors on the first floor, so remember that there's more to see upstairs (in case you haven't explored that far yet).

The Texas Locomotive

Texas Locomotive

The Texas is a steam locomotive that played an important role in the Great Locomotive Chase during the American Civil War, also known as the Andrews Raid. Also part of the Chase was The General Locomotive, now housed in The Southern Museum in Kennesaw, Georgia.

We learned in the Cyclorama narrated presentation that the Battle of Atlanta and the preceding Campaign was primarily an effort to disable Confederate train operations in Atlanta, the "headquarters" of the Confederate's supply chain.

The bigger-than-life display includes two cars—the engine and its fuel-carrying car—sitting on actual track and railroad ties. The Texas could travel approximately 30 miles per cord (of wood) at a speed of up to 60 miles per hour. The locomotive was moved to the Cyclorama in 1927 and was fully restored to its original condition in 1936.

Texas Locomotive

The only thing that I found perplexing about the Texas display was the tiny train models seemingly haphazardly placed around it on the ground. The Texas seemed to be Gulliver, in a world of trains, and the tiny model trains were Lilliputians standing silent in fright and awe.

By time I wanted to pose a question about the teeny-tiny trains, the ticket office and gift shop had closed and the tour guide was off with the final tour group (obviously there were people who were on duty, but I didn't go on a hunt).

I have to assume they are relative to the display, but the scale threw me off. I think the impact of the gigantic Texas is plenty on its own without the distraction of tiny trains. I'm sure the Lilliputian trains would have an even better story of their own to tell if in a different display…but that's just me.

The Museum

Civil War artifacts

The majority of the Museum's collection is located on the second floor (although there are quite a few historical artifacts on the first floor where the Texas locomotive is located).

The artifacts include battle paintings; guns, rifles, artillery and other weapons, including cannons; and displays about recruiting for the War and camp life, as well as uniforms and hundreds of photographs.

There are also video stations throughout the Museum. The videos share highlights of the American Civil War and one provides insights into the restoration of the Cyclorama painting.

Civil War bronze statuary

Complementing the museum collection are several art pieces, including original oil paintings (other than the Cyclorama itself) and bronze statuary.

There's also a display, period in presentation, of portraits of the leaders of the American Civil War.

All in all, the Atlanta Cyclorama & Civil War Museum is an excellent place to learn about the War and the Cyclorama is quite possibly the closest one can come to experiencing what it might have felt like had one been an observer on that particular bloody day in July 1864.

The Return

Have I had enough of American Civil War history or will I return for another 360 degree tour of the Battle of Atlanta? I must admit that I was surprised at the amount of information packed into what seemed, to me, to be a small space. I spent quite a bit of time exploring and there's still more to see.

I would very much enjoy returning with an American Civil War buff…there's a lot to learn about the four-year war and I've always been as much a fan of history as I have been of the future.

Touring the Atlanta Cyclorama

Date toured: Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Location: 800 Cherokee Avenue, SE (directions and map)
Cost: $10 Adults; $8 Children and Seniors
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:15 – 4:30 p.m.; Closed Mondays
Website: http://atlantacyclorama.org/

Atlanta Cyclorama