Atlanta in 100 Objects

For our centennial, we set ourselves up with a challenge: could we identify a hundred objects throughout our 33-acre campus and miles of archival collections that encompass the breadth of our institutional history?  A hundred objects that could fully explore the many dimensions of Atlanta’s story? 

After months of internal debates, we were able to narrow down a variety of artifacts that paint the whole picture of Atlanta History Center and are so excited to share them all with you this spring. Atlanta in 100 Objects will not only be a campus-wide exhibition that you can explore throughout your visit, but you’ll be able to take home all one hundred objects in the form of a beautiful photo book.  

From the first map of Atlanta used during General Sherman’s siege in 1864 to couture 1950s gowns from fashion designer and Atlanta native Ann Moore, from Swan House (yes, we consider the whole house an object) to the 1970s rescued Backstreet disco ball – each and every object reveals how Atlanta, its people, and the nation have evolved in the last 100 years. Atlanta in 100 Objects will showcase why these things matter to Atlanta’s history, and how the history we collect here is integral to the American story.

Previous slide. Next slide.

Check back for a deeper dive into each iconic decade of Atlanta History Center's history collecting and telling of Atlanta's history.