Tiffany Harte

In April 1948, Atlanta’s first eight Black police officers stepped out of a YMCA basement and onto Auburn Avenue. This walkable story follows their original beat and what the street remembers.

Walk with us through ONE Musicfest at Piedmont Park. We documented performances, crowds, vendors, signage, and how people moved, details that reveal how Atlanta gathers today. See what we captured, why festivals matter to research, and how your photos, wristbands, and stories can strengthen the archive. Read, contribute, help preserve Atlanta.

For one hundred days, spectacle and ambition helped reshape Atlanta’s image. The city’s 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition turned Piedmont Park into a glittering stage of electric wonders, daring rides, and grand architecture. During the expo, visitors packed the exhibition halls, marveled at more than 6,000 objects on display, heard Booker T. Washington speak, and helped bolster international trade.

In 1971, Betty Byrom and John Sanford’s interracial love faced Georgia’s outdated anti-miscegenation laws — despite their unconstitutionality. Refusing to back down, they enlisted the U.S. Justice Department, leading to legal intervention that helped force Georgia’s compliance with federal law. Their story reshaped state policy and redefined what love and courage could achieve.

Founded in 1985, Atlanta-based Ichiban Records played a pivotal role in shaping Southern hip-hop, nurturing iconic artists, and fostering a distinctive sound. The label, led by visionary John Abbey, was a crucible for talent like MC Shy-D and Kilo, blending diverse musical influences. Despite challenges, including a risky partnership with EMI and internal issues, Ichiban’s impact on the music industry, especially in nurturing local talent and promoting diversity, is undeniable. The story is a compelling narrative of ambition, innovation, and the complexities of the music business.

The myth of the Lost Cause idealizes the South and casts Southern Confederates as courageous, righteous, and, in many ways, triumphant. Though Lost Cause ideology distorts history, it still exists in the modern milieu due to the efforts of Confederate-aligned organizations that worked to ensure the ideology was included in school history books.

The Ramblin’ Raft Race remains a memory for those who experienced its highs and lows. It was an event that captured the exuberance and excess of an era. Though it ended more than 40 years ago, the stories and legends of the raft race continue to float down the Chattahoochee, echoing the laughter and excitement of a bygone time.

As Earth Day approaches, explore the enduring legacy of “Captain Planet and the Planeteers,” a seminal animated series that merged entertainment with environmental education. From its inception to its cultural impact, the series has left an indelible mark on ecological awareness. Decades later, its call to environmental stewardship remains as relevant and motivational as ever.

In 1962, a plane crash at Orly Field in Paris claimed the lives of more than 100 Atlantans, leaving a deep scar on the city’s cultural fabric. Mayor Ivan Allen Jr., personally affected and burdened with responsibility, navigated the aftermath, ensuring the respectful return of the deceased. The tragedy unified Atlanta, inspiring donations for a memorial arts center, despite the irreplaceable loss and enduring grief experienced by the community and the victims’ families.

Air Atlanta, a pioneering Black-owned airline of the 1980s, offered unmatched luxury and service. Founded by visionary Michael Hollis during the airline deregulation era, it faced industry giants, achieving notable success before succumbing to challenges in 1987.

Established in 1904, East Lake Golf Course in Atlanta underwent transformations from its inception, including a redesign by the esteemed Donald Ross in 1913. Bobby Jones, a golf legend, honed his skills here, further elevating its prestige. While the mid-20th century saw decline and urban challenges, a 1990s rebirth led by Tom Cousins revitalized the course and community. Today, as the PGA Tour Championship’s permanent home, East Lake remains a symbol of golf’s enduring legacy and community betterment.

Reduce waste, enrich your garden, and create a valuable resource. At Goizueta Gardens, composting is key to our sustainable garden management. We collect veggie scraps, coffee grounds, hay, straw, pine shavings, and more to create the perfect compost pile. Interested in composting? It’s easier than you think! Follow our beginner’s guide to start composting today.

Take a nostalgic journey through SciTrek’s history, an interactive science and technology museum in Atlanta that operated from 1988 to 2004. Filled with over 140 exhibits, it captivated the young and curious. Despite its popularity, financial difficulties led to its closure.

From Black professionals to the work of minority contractors, Atlanta History Center celebrates African American contributions to the establishment and growth of the institution.