The Atlanta History Center continues to create exhibits which educate us about Atlanta’s dynamic history. So often when talking about history, we will say, “if only the walls could talk!” Well, the Atlanta History Center has done it again and this time created an exhibit which does just that – lets the display walls talk, with video, audio, placards, and performances – all telling the story of Atlanta’s history and the neighborhoods so many call home.
The interactive exhibit opened on July 2, 2016, with 7,700 square feet of the city’s history explored through the stories of individuals, communities, diverse groups and historical events. The experiences of Atlantans with varied backgrounds and perspectives bring different ways to interpret the same history, we each know or will learn about in this exhibition.
I love the name, Gatheround, because it reminds me of my grandmother telling stories of her childhood and young adult life. With the smell of Tea Cake cookies baking in the kitchen, she would start her fascinating stories about growing up on a farm and traveling from Buford down the Chattahoochee to bring crops and produce to markets in Atlanta. As soon as she’d start her stories, we would all gatheround, sitting at her feet, listening intently, mesmerized by the thought of her as a young girl.
The Atlanta History Center’s Gatheround signature exhibition does just that. It brings you in and has you gatheround each story told either via video, placard, audio or live performance – fascinating, intriguing and most of all educational stories, and in some cases newly discovered or rarely discussed stories come to life with artifacts, photos and actors portraying historical figures in Atlanta and Georgia history.
Here’s the segment from the Bill and Joel Morning Show all about The Gatheround!
There were several highlights for me during my recent visit.
Located at the entrance, this video is a welcome to the exhibit with messages from various Atlantans introducing you to Atlanta’s history told throughout this thematic museum. A seven-minute video with appearances of notable current and former Atlantans, (Mayor Reed, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Indigo Girls to name a few.) And, this caption says it all, “History Belongs To Everyone!” And, this exhibit proves it.
Each thematic zone has artifacts, documents, books, newspapers and clothing related to the story bringing it to life. There were maps showing how the city has changed, infograms explaining population growth, and a baby stroller from 1909 when young African American girls worked as both playmates and caretakers.
Some history may not be pleasant, but it is our history and what has brought us to today.
Young girls were employed as domestic help to attend to the needs of young children.
Child labor was more recent than we would like to remember.
Many child laborers worked in the textile mills.
Although challenging to relive and to talk about, with this exhibit you can track our progression in so many areas of day-to-day life.
Politics is explored in exhibits about politicians and elections which made major differences in our communities and defined our region.
Some of the stories are told through performances with professional actors who bring to life the lives and experiences of well-known historic Atlantans who made great strides and accomplishments for our city. Here actor Marcus Hopkins-Turner shares the story of Atlanta’s millionaire businessman Alonzo Herndon
Signs that everyone recognizes. From public transportation to interstate highways, Atlanta’s transportation has impacted the lives of people living, visiting and doing business in the area.
And, if you want to tell your story – there is an opportunity to do just that. Either step into the recording booth for audio and video recordings or you can submit a photo of Atlanta and it’s history.
And, there a chance to go back in history and put yourself in the action. Interactive kiosks let you photograph yourself in the scene of historic events. Here I am taking part in the Dragoncon.
For more information contact the Atlanta History Center and visit their website.
Hours
History Center
Monday – Saturday
10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday
Noon – 5:30 PM
Tickets
$16.50 – Adults
$13.00 – Seniors 65+, Students 13+
$11.00 – Youth 4 to 12
FREE – Members, Children under 4
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