Atlanta History Center
130 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, Peachtree Heights West, Atlanta, Georgia
The Atlanta History Center is an interactive educational complex devoted to sharing the history of Atlanta and the Southeast. The center includes four historic buildings, a research center, and a museum with one of the world’s largest collections of American Civil War artifacts. Its large grounds offer walking trails and lovely gardens.
The Atlanta History Center’s permanent and temporary collections of photographs, maps, books, newspaper clippings, and decorative arts tell the history of the Southeast through an everyday lens. Hands-on discovery areas make this a good stop for families, too. You can book a single admission ticket to all of the center’s attractions—including the Atlanta History Museum, the Swan House mansion, Smith Family Farm, Wood Family Cabin, Atlanta Cyclorama, Margaret Mitchell House (located 13 miles/21 kilometers away), and 22 acres (9 hectares) of grounds—or book separate admission to just the Margaret Mitchell House.
The Atlanta History Center is a must for history buffs and is great for families with children.
Dress for the weather if you plan to enjoy the grounds and gardens.
There is a coffee shop and a café with light fare.
The Atlanta History Museum is wheelchair accessible, but other parts of the center are not.
The Atlanta History Center is located in the Buckhead area, roughly 10 minutes north of downtown. It is easily accessible by MARTA bus 110 or by private vehicle. On-site parking is included with admission.
The center is open from 10am to 5:30pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:30pm on Sunday. The historic houses have more limited hours: 11am to 4pm Monday through Saturday and 1pm to 4pm on Sunday. A variety of events, films, and festivals are always on the calendar, so be sure to check with the center before planning your visit.
Many visitors spend most of the day exploring the center’s numerous exhibits. But for a break from the museum and historic homes, take a stroll along the Swan Woods Trail, which is filled with many plants native to Georgia.
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