Stories

In 1912, more than 1,000 Black people fled racial violence in Forsyth County, GA. Researchers from Atlanta History Center used historical records to trace the locations and lives of these displaced residents, revealing significant changes in their economic status, occupations, and living arrangements as they settled in nearby counties and beyond.

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.

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archives is comprised of more than 1,600 audio recordings that document diverse folk traditions across Georgia and the Southeast. Efforts are underway to digitize and catalog these fragile magnetic storage records, making them accessible to researchers. Despite challenges like poor recording quality and dated language, the collection offers invaluable insights into our region’s rich cultural heritage.

Formed in 2015 by a group of Latino leaders, “Los Vecinos de Buford Highway,” has evolved from a high school classroom project to an association that connects residents, nonprofits, and government agencies. The organization primarily focuses on housing issues affecting the undocumented and Spanish-speaking communities, offering neighborhood networking, programming, and legal support.

Under Staci’s leadership over the past 23 years, Cherokee Garden Library has evolved into a premier institution for the study of gardening, landscape design, garden history, horticulture, cultural and natural landscapes, and plant ecology. The Historic Preservation Medal is given for outstanding work in the field of preservation and/or restoration of historic gardens or buildings of national importance.

Honeybees battle immense pressure due to diseases, pests, lack of nutritious floral resources, and pesticide exposure (especially mosquito spraying). The Gardens staff bee team has recently rehomed a swarmed colony and expanded the apiary to include 6 thriving hives thanks in large part to donations received during their GivingTuesday 2022 Save the Bees campaign.

With improvised food, wine, and a makeshift Haggadah printed on Nazi flags, U.S. soldiers were able to celebrate Passover during WWII. The Seder was held in a former German school building with about 1,500 soldiers in attendance, including Jewish soldiers from other units. This celebration, held over a month before the end of the war, marked the liberation of Jews from Egypt and foreshadowed the liberation of the Jews from the concentration camp of Dachau a few weeks later.

Atlanta History Center is excited to partner with Black in the Garden for a special four-part podcast series exploring Gardens and Cultural Landscapes of Black America, the new digital collection from Cherokee Garden Library. Host Colah B Tawkin explains how this partnership came to be.

Viola Ross Napier and Bessie Kempton Crowell made history as the first women to hold elected office in Georgia. As legislators they faced opposition and a political ceiling that made their journey difficult. Despite this, Napier and Kempton Crowell left a lasting legacy visible even today.

Morris Brown College, founded in 1881, has faced adversity throughout its history. Despite this, it has thrived and produced notable alumni in various fields. In 2002, the college lost its accreditation and faced bankruptcy, but after almost two decades of operating as an unaccredited institution, it regained its accreditation. Today, the college continues to persevere, with its doors open and its dream alive.

The 37th Annual Swan House Ball brings together some of Atlanta’s most outstanding business, social, and community leaders for a night of fun, fashion, fellowship, and philanthropy at Atlanta History Center. Over the years, the ball has included a revolutionary roster of women, both past and present. From philanthropists and CEOs to first ladies and founders, Atlanta’s history is incomplete without honoring some of the defining women who have elevated the city. 

In 1912, Five Black people were arrested for sexually assaulting and murdering a white woman in Forsyth County. One of the five was lynched and the others received unjust trials. These events led white residents of Forsyth to force more than 1,000 Black residents to leave the county, creating the environment for a county that retains a majority –white population.

On December 24, thermometers dipped to 8 degrees Fahrenheit, the coldest temperature seen in our area since 2014. Damages to the gardens in the metro area as a result of this polar plunge are now fully manifesting, and Goizueta Gardens is no exception. All this carnage certainly brings a tear to every gardener’s eye but not everything is dead! Though it may seem that way initially.

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