Culture and Society

The trial of Leo Frank began in Fulton County and was one of the longest trials in state history. Yet still, few know about the significance of Frank’s trial, the violence, antisemitism, and sensational press coverage. Fewer people know of his wife Lucille and her role in the defense and support of her husband throughout his trial, the appeals process, his imprisonment, and beyond.

Not sure where to start with your research of a specific historic space? Our extensive collection of archives, photographs, maps, and documents provide valuable information about historic houses and neighborhood

Kenan Research Center collections document a wide range of historical themes and topics about the history of the Atlanta region.

Through its collections, the Atlanta History Center documents historical events that have shaped the Atlanta region.

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.

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. 

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

From inventors to innovators, many remarkable Black Georgians have played a key role in changing the course of history through their pioneering work in science and technology. These brilliant minds have overcome obstacles and discrimination to make important contributions to society.

The Economist reviews Atlanta History Center’s new documentary Monument: The Untold Story of Stone Mountain, calling the film “powerful.”

The experiences of soldiers during wartime are frequently chronicled in newspapers, books, television, documentaries, movies and exhibits. What is less visible and often harder to uncover are the untold stories of the women and children who remain at home during a major war, and the loss, pain, and challenges they endure.

In September 1906, a white mob brutalized and terrorized Atlanta’s Black residents, resulting in the deaths of 25 Black Atlantans, the wounding of hundreds of Blacks, and the destruction of many Black businesses and homes. This period of racial violence has been passed down in history as a race “riot,” but “massacre” may be a more apt term.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal, founded in 1870 in Jackson, Tennessee, was the first Protestant African American denomination established in the South. With more than 330 CME churches in Georgia alone, it has become one of the premier Christian denominations for African American worship and religious life.   

The Birth of a Nation’s success and wide distribution increased national interest in the post-Civil War Klan. In Atlanta, the film served as an inspiration and a guide for the leaders of two early 20th-century Atlanta organizations with close connections to Stone Mountain—the modern Ku Klux Klan and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.