Atlanta History Center: 14 Reasons I Renewed

One can learn more about the history of Atlanta—and the rich experiences it has offered, and currently offers the world—in a few hours at the Atlanta History Center, than most ever learn in a lifetime living here.

I don't say that lightly. I say it from experience. I moved to Atlanta in 1987, lived here for 15 years, moved to DC for nine, and I've now been back for more than five years. After starting wanderlust ATLANTA—a blog about being a tourist in Atlanta—an exercise to re-familiarize myself with the city, I learned more about Atlanta in one year than I had in the 15 years I lived here before. It was a shocking and amazing revelation!

Exploring the Atlanta History Center has played a significant role in my learning more about the city that I consider "home", more than any other place I've lived. In particular, I'm grateful to the staff who have made me feel so welcome as a person enthusiastic about sharing fascinating experiences throughout our wonderful city. I'm talking about you Hillary, Martha, Brandi and Sheffield! 

So, why exactly did I renew my membership? The following are 14 reasons, in no particular order, I recently and excitedly renewed my membership to the Atlanta History Center:

SWAN HOUSE

Swan House | Atlanta History Center

I adore the Swan House not only because my middle name is Swann (note the difference in spelling), but also because it's one of the most magnificent historic homes in the whole of Atlanta! It's also one of the most photographed attractions in the city. 

Swan House, designed by famed Philip Trammell Shutze, built in 1928 for the Edward H. Inman family, is magnificent! I highly recommend that you tour the home when you visit. Be sure to request a timed entry ticket when you arrive at admissions.

MANDARIN SHUTZE: A CHINESE EXPORT LIFE

Mandarin Shutze: A Chinese Export Life | Atlanta History Center

I love it when an exhibit sneaks up on me...that I don't miss, of course. Fortunately, I "discovered" Mandarin Shutze: A Chinese Export Life after overhearing another visitor mention it. I had in fact heard about it, but it fell off my radar for a few months. 

This exhibition is magnificent! And a lot larger than you might think when you first go in. I should say "go down"...it's in the basement of the Swan House. To see this exhibition, be sure you've secured your timed Swan House tour voucher at admissions or ask if the house is open—for certain programs the Swan House is open outside of timed tours.


CANDLELIGHT NIGHTS

Candlelight Nights | Atlanta History Center

This year's Cendlelight Nights has been on my calendar since it was first announced, which I was eagerly awaiting having had such an incredible time at last year's event! 

This year's events are on Friday, December 11 (I'll be at Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker), and Friday, December 18, for which I've already purchased my tickets! I'm excitedly looking forward to a repeat performance of all the magnificent holiday cheer this event brings. 

Get a program when you arrive to make sure you don't miss anything you want to see while you're there. And there's a LOT to choose from, and the programming is throughout their 33-acre campus!


THE 1996 ATLANTA SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES MUSEUM

Olympic Torches |  1996 Summer Olympic Games | Atlanta History Center

Having lived in Atlanta during the bidding process for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, including the heart-pounding morning of the winning bid announcement, through the Centennial Olympic Games themselves, this museum has a very special place in my heart. It is home to a world-class collection and a part of Atlanta history that stands unique.

I also lived in Greece for more than two years, where I toured the Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held 100 years prior to their being conducted in Atlanta. That's another reason this museum means so much to me.

The museum is expansive, but my favorite collection in this particular museum is the torches (and medallions prior to torches) for each of the modern Olympic Games! It's impressive!


PARTY WITH THE PAST

Party With the Past | Atlanta History Center

From its inception, the Atlanta History Center's Party With the Past events have been incredibly successful. The program is designed specifically for local young professionals and that's the majority of the upwards of 300 attendees at the events. 

I've had the pleasure of attending many of these events (I may not be "young", but I am young at heart) and I've written about a few, too. Have a look:

Party With the Past at Zoo Atlanta
Party With the Past at Dekalb History Center
Party With the Past Gatsby Style at Swan House

The events are held approximately every two months and they're consistently as much fun as they are informative. Many may not think of history as "fun", but it totally can be! 


AUTHOR EVENTS

Travis with John Berendt | Margaret Mitchell House

I've attended a number of author events at the Atlanta History Center and the Margaret Mitchell House (part of the Atlanta History Center).

Celebrity chef Curtis Stone, heartthrob Aussie (now living in Los Angeles), was awesome. But, perhaps my favorite author event was getting to see, hear and meet John Berendt (pictured above), author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, the evening he introduced his novel as a METABOOK.

You MUST check out METABOOK...it gives novels a life you never knew a book could offer...it's a wholly new way to experience the written word.


MARGARET MITCHELL HOUSE

Margaret Mitchell House | Scarlett O'Hara | Gone With the Wind

I've seen the Margaret Mitchell House restored, burned, restored and grow since I first moved to Atlanta in 1987. I am incredibly impressed with what's been done with this historic home and grateful that it has been rebuilt and is used for public tours and events on a consistent basis. If you haven't been, go!

Their guided tours are timed, so plan ahead. And be sure to visit the ancillary buildings that house additional Margaret Mitchell and Gone With the Wind exhibits, displays and artifacts. 


GOIZUETA GARDENS

Cherry Sims Asian American Garden | Atlanta History Center

For your wanderlusting pleasure, you may "explore 22 acres of tranquil gardens and trails, featuring six distinct gardens that showcase the horticultural history of the Atlanta region." 

I knew there were multiple gardens, but I didn't know there were six! And I didn't know that they focus on the "horticultural history of the Atlanta region"! I have indeed explored and delighted in the over the years and highly recommend doing so when you visit. I'm quite fond of the Quarry Garden and I love the Cherry Sims Asian American Garden!


SMITH FAMILY FARM

Smith Family Farm | Atlanta History Center

Smith Family Farm is another of their historic homes, that was once located approximately four miles from where it now stands, in high contrast to Buckhead's modern skyscrapers.

Visiting this historic home when there are costumed docents is great fun. And there are animals living on the farm, including a goat named Little Richard.

A home that represents life around the time of the Civil War, "The house and separate open-hearth kitchen are now surrounded by a dairy, blacksmith shop, smokehouse, double corncrib, slave cabin, and barn, as well as traditional vegetable, herb, field, flower, and slave gardens."


BOBBY JONES MUSEUM

If you're a golfer, you're going to love the Bobby Jones museum at the Atlanta History Center! I wrote a story a couple of years ago that outlines a full day of Bobby Jones tours throughout Atlanta, including the museum at Atlanta History Center!

"Down the Fairway With Bobby Jones" is a fantastic museum dedicated to the local golf legend Bobby Jones. I have visited this particular museum countless times and I'm not even a golfer! I've been golfing twice and the second time I didn't lose a single ball to the woods!


SWAN HOUSE CAPITOL TOURS

Swan House Capitol Tour | President Snow's Desk | Atlanta History Center

The Swan House Capitol Tour is so incredibly awesome, for cinema enthusiasts and history buffs alike! If you're a fan of The Hunger Games movies, you'll want to go on this tour! If you've been before, I recommend going again...there have been a few changes since Mockingjay Part 2 was released.

If you're not familiar with The Hunger Games, the Atlanta History Center was a filming site for last three films in the series, in particular, the Swan House, the Swan House Gardens and the Swan House Lawn.


VETERANS PARK

Veterans Park | Atlanta History Center | U.S. Navy

As a former sailor in the United States Navy, although I never had shore-duty throughout my enlistment (I was a land-based Radioman), I'm ever grateful to the Atlanta History Center for its Veterans Park. 

I recently attended their third annual Veterans Day program, conducted in Veterans Park, and was incredibly touched by the entire program and those who were in attendance, including many war veterans.

Veterans Park is exactly that...a park. But it's a park with lots to offer. And you can visit it outside of regular museum hours. I recommend bringing your smart phone and downloading a QR Code reader, if you haven't already, prior to visiting.


GONE WITH THE WIND TRAIL

Atlanta History Center | Turning Point | US Civil War

The Gone With the Wind Trail includes two Atlanta History Center destinations. 

In the primary tours, they list the Margaret Mitchell House, the Atlanta history Center's historic home located in the Atlanta neighborhood of Midtown. The other listing—under "Rhett's Recommendations" is their main campus in Buckhead—specifically, "Turning Point: The American Civil War" museum, which houses one of the more comprehensive Civil War collections in the nation!

Before I moved back to Atlanta and started blogging about being a tourist here, I'd never considered myself a "Windie"—a super fan of Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Gone With the Wind. 

But as I explored more and more, it eventually dawned on me...I keep visiting Margaret Mitchell/Gone With the Wind/Civil War sites and going on tours relative to the book and subsequent movie, in addition to being a history buff, that perhaps, just maybe, I am a Windie. I've met some very nice Windies over the years, so I wouldn't be devastated with the attribution.


ATLANTA CYCLORAMA AND TEXAS

Texas | Cyclorama | Atlanta History Center

When rumors began to surface about the closing of the Cyclorama, I was devastated. It was a mostly-ignored, under-visited attraction—a most wonderful attraction, but in my opinion, it didn't have the marketing backing as many other equally magnificent exhibitions. 

I was overjoyed when I learned that the Atlanta Cyclorama and the Texas locomotive were going to the Atlanta History Center!

The Atlanta Cyclorama is also on Rhett's Recommedations on the Gone With the Wind Trail. 

The move was announced in 2014. The attraction closed in June of this year (2015) and it's slated to reopen at the Atlanta History Center in early 2017. Here's a wonderful fly-through rendition of what we all can expect: The Cyclorama's Future Home (VIDEO) 

There you go...14 amazing reasons to become a member of the Atlanta History Center! And please know that this is a short list...it's the tip of the tip of the iceberg. Go explore!

For the record, while the Atlanta History Center has been wonderful to me as a blogger, I also consider them friends. I purchased my own membership and all the opinions expressed in all my writings are my own opinions. 

If you're a local or visit Atlanta frequently, I encourage you to become a member of this magnificent Atlanta destination. I say "destination" because it's so much more than a museum or an attraction...the Atlanta History Center is Atlanta...past, present and future!

Party With the Past for "Free History & Cold Beer"

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.

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.

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.)

Party With the Past...and the Elephants, Flamingos, Kangaroos, Etc., Etc.

The Atlanta History Center sure knows how to throw a wild party! 

Last night's Party With the Past was hosted by Zoo Atlanta, and what a perfect night for it. Okay, it was a little 'sticky', but not totally unbearable. There were cool beverages and ice cream available for "necessary" heat treatment.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

My intention was to make a bunch of photos of just how much fun everyone was having, but I was so distracted by all the animals—and their antics—that I never got around to people pix! So...

My favorite of all the animals I saw last night—and some of the larger animals had retired for the evening so were not visible—was this incredibly animated bear! What looks like anguish on his face is really just him having a little fun.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

I think everyone else's favorite had to be the Panda. While Lun Lun was off nursing the newborns (they had a monitor where we could watch PandaCam), one of the others was frolicking around its habitat, just having a blast showing off for all the party-goers.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

Any regular at Zoo Atlanta knows that visitors are greeted by Flamingo Plaza....and were they in a mood last night! Let's just say there were lots of ruffled feathers and leave it at that.

One of the cool sights in this habitat was watching them, not in the water, but in a small grove of bamboo toward the back of the habitat...an odd, but kinda cool sight.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

I mentioned that a lot of the larger animals were not on display, but I did manage to make a LOT of photos of birds...birds that I've never seen before! The bio-diversity on this planet just amazes me...and we get to see so little of it. Thank goodness for the education mission of zoos...it'd be a much smaller world if it weren't for them!

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

There were however a few of the larger animals out and about, including the elephants—who seemingly ate the entire evening. Then again, that's a lot to feed! 

My friend Barry commented on the fact that elephants in Georgia are not gray as they are in the wild...that's, of course, compliments of Georgia Red Clay! If you're from here or have spent any time here, you know exactly what he was talking about!

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

I wish I'd noted the names of some of these remarkable animals...like I said, there were many that I'd never seen or even heard of! Fortunately, the Zoo has a great listing of its residents on their website.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

Totally fun was a trio of kangaroos, who were mostly distracted by whatever it was that they were doing, while occasionally checking out their spectators. Such fascinating creatures! Next time you're at the Zoo, check out how they "walk"...I found myself wondering "why" they evolved the way they did.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

Perhaps the most friendly to the camera are the turtles and tortoises...they're not engaged in hopping, running, swinging, swimming, flying, or any other not-so-camera-friendly activity. And they're fascinating creatures in their own right...it's pretty amazing just how diverse this species of animal really is.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

Some of the animals are behind "fence", particularly the birds—although some of those habitats have a Plexiglas viewing area, as well...much better for photo-making. So, that's not totally camera-friendly, but it can offer some pretty cool effects if you decide to just have fun with it.

"Party With the Past", #AHCParty, Zoo Atlanta

Thanks to the animated feature film Madascar, you can't help but love the Meerkat. These entertaining creatures are so animated and friendly...you can't help but walk away with a smile on your face.

So, speaking of smiling...it was a great party! There was an Elephant Feeding and Keeper Talk, a discussion of Zoo Atlanta's history—presented by Deputy Director Dwight Lawson, a Bird Feeding and Keeper Talk, and an African Ground Hornbill Feeding...there was a LOT going on, in addition to all the guests hanging with their friends and making new ones.

Now, go "Like" the Atlanta History Center (and Zoo Atlanta) on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube...everywhere you can find them, so that you'll get the announcement for the next Party With the Past. 

And by all means, go visit the Center and the Zoo in person!

Party With the Past - Gatsby Style

For its seventh "Party With the Past" (PWTP) event, the Atlanta History Center helped us party like it was 1929...Gatsby style! Hosted at the Swan House and on the Swan House lawn, a huge portion of the hundreds of PWTPers were in Roaring Twenties costume. 

Many of us enjoyed a "Bootleggers Tea" or a "Bee's Knees" specialty cocktail, played croquet on the lawn, or posed for snapshots in the Gatsby photo booth...all to the tune of 1920s music. 

It was a grand evening...an evening Mrs. Inman would likely have enjoyed herself given that she and her husband built the 1928 mansion specifically for entertaining!

That's me, Travis, at Party With the Past at the Swan House

They kept their promise of "Free History, Cold Beer" with a presentation by the Swan House Manager of the history of the Swan House—which to my astonishment, given the minuscule attention span people have today, was listened to with great interest from a hushed crowd.

The presentation was highly interesting and as many times as I've visited the Atlanta History Center and toured the Swan House, I still learned something new...love that!

Swan House marble floor

A wonderful, wonderful treat was self-guided tours of the first floor of the Swan House. There were docents throughout to answer any questions visitors had—a nice touch—AND they were letting people make photographs!

On regular tours of the Center's historic homes, photographs are not permitted, so I didn't bother to bring my camera. The couple of photos in this post were made with my phone, but the others are of a quality that's too embarrassing to post. Hopefully one day the same opportunity will present itself and I'll have a real camera in-hand.

In the meantime, sign up for Atlanta History Center announcements (bottom of page on website) and "Like" them on Facebook for announcements of future Party With the Past events and other fantastic programming!

Party With the Past and the Lady Banks Rose

The gorgeous yellow flower that graces the iron rail of the open arm stair case inviting visitors in the 1920s to the Swan House is the Lady Banks Rose.

Lady Banks Rose, Atlanta History Center's Swan House

Well, I'm not certain when the Lady Banks Rose was planted at the Swan House, at the Atlanta History Center, but it's gorgeous today and I can totally imagine it welcoming guests to the 1920s home back in the Roaring Twenties.

This flower's most famous legacy, originally of China, can be found in Tombstone, Arizona, where the world's largest rose bush today grows at more than 8,000 square feet.

But, speaking of the Roaring Twenties, the Atlanta History Center's "Party With the Past" event in May is taking place at the Swan House...which promises to be quite the party! 

wanderlust ATLANTA will be there and I hope to meet many of you there. These parties—Party With the Past—have been incredibly popular (great job Atlanta History Center!), so you have to RSVP early. If you've not signed up for notices (bottom of page), I highly recommend doing so. Even better, become a member!

Of note, 1920s costumes are encouraged at this Party With the Past event...if you show up in costume, I'm very, very, very likely to ask for a photo to post in a post-event post!

See you there!