Stories

Camellias are a remarkable flowering plant–not only for their beauty and endless flower variations–but also because they draw us into the detailed and diverse world of camellia cultivators.

Last fall we had the unique opportunity to bolster a plant collection that performs extremely well in Atlanta, Epimedium. When Karen Perkins decided to close Garden Vision, her nursery which specialized in this unique genus, we reached out to discuss building our collection.

Goizueta Gardens at Atlanta History Center have a substantial collection of Trillium as part of our Georgia Native Plant Collection. We have populations that occur naturally in the woods on the campus and species that have been planted as part of our living collections.

In 1971, Betty Byrom and John Sanford’s interracial love faced Georgia’s outdated anti-miscegenation laws — despite their unconstitutionality.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.

Weighing animals is a good practice to keep abreast of their health and well-being. Turkeys have a very predictable pattern of weight gain and loss – but how do we keep track?

Spring is in full spring here in Atlanta, and we’re covered in enough pollen to prove it! Here is a helpful checklist of tasks for what you should pay attention to, look out for, and keep up with in your own gardens as we move into the warmer summer months.

Goizueta Gardens staff collaborated on an exciting conservation effort this past spring to relocate wild and rare orchids to our gardens for preservation.

Party with the Past is a program series that travels to historic sites around the city. On Wednesday, September 18^th, we head to Concordia Hall in Downtown Atlanta. This event features a temporary exhibit that dives into the history of the rest of the neighborhood, walking tours, and more.

As baseball fans across North America rejoice over the opening of the 2025 Major League Baseball season, Atlanta History Center celebrates baseball heroes of the past by examining the teams and players of the Branch Rickey League. From 1956 to approximately 1969, Black baseball players from Atlanta and surrounding areas participated in highly competitive amateur leagues filled with future professional baseball players. Atlanta History Center has launched a project to locate and interview former players and participants in these leagues.

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.

In September of 1963, Vincent Anthony, a young actor living in New York City answered an ad in Backstage magazine for an audition with the Nicolo Marionettes, a puppetry company. His audition would be his first experience with the vast and varied world of puppetry. It would also set in motion events that changed the art scene in Atlanta, Georgia. Read more about The Center for Puppetry Arts’s history.

Explore our Civil Rights reading list as recommended by our own Director of Community Collaborations, Dr. La’Neice Littleton.

Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center provides a unique opportunity for researchers and enthusiasts to explore the life and times of Jimmy Carter through a significant collection of archives and books.

Atlanta History Center mourns the loss of former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter. During their 75 year marriage, they supported each other through a governorship, presidency, and more than forty years of humanitarian work.