Georgia History Museums

[Mansion Tours]  [Historic Photos]
Completed in 1839, the Old Governors Mansion is one of the finest examples of High Greek Revival architecture in the nation. Designed by noted architect Charles Clusky, an Irish immigrant, and built by Timothy Porter of Farmington, Connecticut, the Mansion looms over Milledgeville with its stately columns and imposing facade. Serving as the residence for Georgia's chief executives for over thirty years, the Mansions history encompasses the antebellum, Civil War, and early Reconstruction phases of the states history. Such noted state leaders as George Crawford, Howell Cobb, and Joseph E. Brown resided in the building and used it as a stage for speeches and also to introduce guests of national standing.

During the Civil War, the Mansion was claimed as a prize in the March to the Sea, when General William T. Sherman headquartered in the building on November 23, 1864. Following the war, Georgia's seat of government was relocated to Atlanta, and the Mansion was abandoned. Given over to Georgia Normal & Industrial College (currently known as Georgia College & State University) in 1889, the Mansion served as the founding building of the institution and is the campus' most treasured structure.

Beginning in the late 1990s, an initiative was begun to return the Mansion to its antebellum splendor. Following five years of intensive historical, structural, and material research, the Old Governors Mansion began its long awaited historic restoration in November of 2001. Funded through the Georgia General Assembly and a generous grant from the Woodruff Foundation, over three years of painstaking work has restored the original layout, colorations, lighting, and appearance of the building. The award winning project was selected by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation for its Excellence in Restoration Award and the prestigious Marguerite Williams Award for Excellence in Preservation along with two of the Georgia Historical Society's Roger K. Warlick Awards for Excellence in Preservation and Exhibits.

The Old Governors Mansion now serves as a historic house museum and is available for individual and group tours. In addition to these operations, the Mansion has an Education Building used for tour orientations, lectures, symposia, and exhibits on the history and archeology of the building. Following your tour, enjoy our renowned Museum Store which includes unique gifts, books, jewelry, and art. Please contact the Mansion office at (478) 445-4545 for tour information. The Old Governors Mansion was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.

Housed inside a historic railroad depot.  The museum is dedicated to the founding of Fitzgerald and it's roots in the Civil War.  Fitzgerald was founded as a colony of Union Veterans in 1895.  Located at 116 N. Johnston Street in Fitzgerald, GA.  Just 9 miles from Fitzgerald, you can visit the Jefferson Davis (president of the Confederacy) capture site.

Cannonball House & Museum

The Cannonball House was built ca 1854 for Judge Asa Holt and family.  The house gained it's name due to being struck by cannonball fire during the Civil War.  The house features Antebellum furnishings and many military artifacts are on display in the military museum.  Located at 865 Mulberry Street in Macon, GA.

Hay House - Palace of the South   [History]

The Johnston-Felton-Hay house was built between 1855 and 1859 in Macon, GA.  The house has over 18,000 square feet and includes a 3 story cupola on top.  Today tours are offered.  Located at 934 Georgia Avenue in Macon.

Ocmulgee National Monument and Indian Mounds

This national monument is a celebration and memorial to the continuous record of human life in this part of North America which represents more than 12,000 years of human habitation.  Artifacts as old as 12,000 years are on display and the mounds built by the Mississippian Period Moundbuilders, remain as a reminder of the ages past.  1207 Emery Highway in Macon, Georgia.

Tubman African American Museum

Devoted to the education of people about African American art, history and culture.  Located at 340 Walnut Street in Macon, GA.

[Virtual Tour]

Housed in the old Henry Ford Kindergarten, the museum features the early development and history of Bryan County, GA.  Located on the corner of Ford Avenue and Timber Trail Road in Richmond Hill, GA.

Devoted to the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage of Georgia and beyond.  Located at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA.

Stately Oaks is an 1839 Antebellum plantation home.  Tours are provided by docents in authentic period dress.  Location is 100 Carriage Lane at Jodeco Road in Jonesboro, GA.

Gone With The Wind Museum

Loaded with Gone With The Wind memorabilia.  Located in Scarlett on the Square at 18 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Two major Civil War battles were fought just west of downtown Marietta, GA.  For information stop by the Marietta Visitors Center located at 4 Depot Street in Marietta.

Marietta Confederate Cemetery

The Confederate Cemetery started in 1863 as a final resting place for Confederate soldiers who died in Marietta hospitals, The Battle of Kolb's Farm and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.

Marietta Museum of History

Housed in the 1845 Kennesaw House, the museum contains historical artifacts related to the history of Marietta, Georgia.  Located at 1 Depot Street, Suite 200, Marietta, GA.

Root House Museum

The historic Root House was built ca 1845 and was home to early settlers of Marietta - William and Hannah Root.  Costumed tour guides provide visitors with some history of the house, the Root family and pioneer life in Marietta, Georgia.  Located at 145 Denmead Street in Marietta, GA.

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History

The Stone Mountain carving of Confederate leaders is spectacular and visitors can ride a skyride right up to it.  The 3200 acre park is much more than this however with a paddlewheel riverboat on Stone Mountain Lake, a historic plantation, pedal boats and and Duck tours.  Stone Mountain Park is located on U.S. Highway 78 in Stone Mountain, GA.

Albany Civil Rights Movement Museum

Thronateeska Heritage Center

Operated by the Thronateeska Heritage Foundation, the museum features history of Albany and SW Georgia, a planetarium and a science discovery center.  Located at 100 W. Roosevelt Avenue in Albany, GA.

Rome Area History Museum

Focusing on the preservation and presentation of the history of Rome and Floyd County, Georgia, the museum features a walk through time starting with the Native American and early settlers of the area through the Civil War and on into industrial development.  Researchers will find an archives, housing historic photographs, books and manuscripts pertaining to the northwest region of Georgia.  Located at 305 Broad Street in Rome, GA.

Apex Museum - African American Panoramic Experience

Atlanta History Center  [Exhibitions]  [Historic Homes]

The museum features collections about the Civil War, Southern Folk Arts, and other award winning exhibits related to the history of Atlanta and the surrounding area.  The center boasts 33 acres of historical gardens featuring plants from the past.  Location is 130 W. Paces Ferry Road NW in Atlanta, GA.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Georgia Capitol Museum

Focused on the history and culture of the Milledgeville / Baldwin County area of Georgia.

Located inside the old statehouse on the campus of the Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA.

Georgia State Archives

Lee Playhouse

Rhodes Hall   [History of Rhodes Hall]

This well known landmark in Atlanta was built in 1904 as the residence of the Amos Rhodes family.  Today it is the headquarters for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation where tours are offered and it can be used for special events such as weddings.  1516 Peachtree Street NW in Atlanta, GA.

Swan House  [History]

Constructed in 1928 for the Edward Inman family, the beautiful mansion is available for tours and features original furnishings belonging to the Inmans.  Located at 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. in Atlanta, GA.

Tullie Smith Farm  [History]

Built in the 1840s, this plantation house belonged to the Robert Smith family.  Remarkably surviving the Civil War, the plantation was not of the grand style but rather a yeoman farm.  Visitors are led by costumed tour guides, learning about the rural past of Georgia.  The house is surrounded by out buildings, including a smokehouse, blacksmith shop, an open-hearth kitchen and even a log cabin.  Living history activities such as basket weaving, candle making, spinning, weaving and quilting will take visitors back in time to 19th Century Georgia.  Located at 130 W. Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta, GA.

Built in 1864, this Greek Revival style house was the historic home of statesman & Senator Thomas Edward Watson.  Located at 502 Hickory Hill Drive in Thomson, GA.

Located at Port Columbus, 1002 Victory Drive, Columbus, GA.

Polk County Historical Society Museum

Featuring historical artifacts, antiques and documents related to the history of Polk County, Georgia, the museum is housed inside a lovely 1921 building which once served as the Hawkes Children's Library.  Located at 205 N. College Street in Cedartown, GA.

Focused on the collection, preservation and exhibiting the history of the Augusta, Georgia area.

Located at 560 Reynolds Street, Augusta, Georgia.

Ezekiel Harris House

Built in 1797, the house was the home of wealthy tobacco planter Ezekiel Harris.  Fully restored and on the National Register of Historic Places, tours are offered.  Some claim it is haunted.  Located at 1822 Broad Street, Augusta, GA.

Meadow Garden

Historic farm home of Georgia statesman, George Walton.  The original structure was built ca 1790 and contains period furnishings and was opened to the public in 1901.  Located at 1320 Independence Avenue in Augusta, GA.

Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home   [Virtual Tour]

Located at 419 Seventh Street in Augusta, GA.

[Echoes of Captivity: 3 minute movie trailer]  [Order Movie]

Housed in an 1857 historical house, the museum collections are focused on the early history of the area and include Civil War relics, Indian artifacts, historical documents and original photographs.  Located at 308 E. Robert Toombs Avenue in Washington, GA.

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