10 History Museums in Atlanta That You Shouldn't Miss

The Patch Works Art & History Center is a unique, community-based, nonprofit charity operating in Cabbagetown, Atlanta. The organization is dedicated to preserving, sustaining, and maintaining the historical identity of Atlanta's Cabbagetown through exhibits of history, local art, and community-based public programs and events. Due to the pandemic, the brick-and-mortar museum will be closed until further notice. Nonetheless, The Patch Works is revamping its website in order to create a virtual experience similar to its museum. The updated site will offer — among other things — self-guided walking tours, exhibits, live streaming events, music performances, and educational workshops. Please contact us if you wish to know more about what The Patch Works will be offering during this temporary closure.

The Atlanta History Center was founded on the big ideas and relentless fascination of 14 Atlantans who were emphatic about our city’s historical relevance in society. In a sense, our organization was created by Atlanta’s biggest fans, and we love that detail. In 1926, these founding members introduced the Atlanta Historical Society into the world with one mission: to help preserve Atlanta’s history. In 1990, after decades of collecting, researching, publishing and celebrating the early stories of our great Southern community, the Atlanta Historical Society and all of its holdings officially became the Atlanta History Center.

The Carter Presidential Library and Museum is a state-of-the-art museum tracing the life and work of President Jimmy Carter, from his childhood in Plains to the work he and Mrs. Carter do around the world to promote peace and health. The Museum sits in a beautifully landscaped 35 acre park with two small lakes, a Japanese garden and a spectacular view of the Atlanta skyline. The whole family will enjoy visiting. Open every day expect Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

The Atlanta Apex Museum is entirely devoted to African-American history in order to promote cultural awareness and the societal contributions by African-Americans in Georgia. From one of Atlanta's first Black owned business to pioneer stories to local historical information to baseball to videos at the Trolley Theater, the Apex Museum is full of artifacts, photographs, children's shows, presentations and more – all related to African-American culture, both past and present.

The 19th-century farmhouse that once belonged to Joel Chandler Harris, the author of Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox.

Enter the iconic blue doors of Atlanta's Swan House and discover a world of culture, commerce, quality, and comfort. Constructed in 1928 at the end of the Jazz Age, the house missed the Depression by mere months. Swan House was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Emily Inman. They built the house for entertaining – we hope you enjoy it, too!

The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking is an internationally renowned resource on the history of paper and paper technology. In addition to more than 2,000 books, the museum features a remarkable collection of over 10,000 watermarks, papers, tools, machines, and manuscripts. The museum's mission is to collect, preserve, increase and disseminate knowledge about papermaking - past, present and future. Located in the Renewable Bioproducts Institute at Georgia Tech, the museum's exhibits feature Hunter's historic collection, tools from the early industrialization of papermaking, environmental issues related to papermaking, and changing gallery spaces.

Margaret Mitchell's one and only novel, "Gone with the Wind," was born in an apartment in this turn-of-the-century Tudor Revival mansion. Now a museum on the National Register of Historic Places, the house offers visitors a tour that tells the story of the author, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book and the making of the movie.

Welcome explorers of the world! If you’re looking for history, knowledge and adventure, you’ve come to the right place. The Atlanta History Center is located in one of Atlanta’s most vibrant communities where the stories and mysteries of our region thrive. Our 33-acre experience features award-winning exhibitions, historic houses, enchanting gardens, interactive activities and a variety of year-round adult and family programs. With ticket admission, our guests enjoy complimentary parking and all-inclusive access to Atlanta History Center destinations.

At the Ancient African History Museum, we aspire to bring the hidden history of Africa to life! As a small museum, we focus on prehistoric through medieval periods of African history. We are devoted to displaying unique and diverse art forms that tell or contributes to a story.