Metropolitan Frontiers - 1835-2000 show displays that range from Indian settlements and the railroads through the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement up to and through the 1996 Olympic Games.

There is a permanent display devoted to the American Civil War delving into the causes of the devastating war in which more than 670,000 died. This is one of the largest and most comprehensive exhibitions about one of the most important events in our country. Poignant photos and personal stories show how the war impacted those who experienced it.

Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South is an exhibit focusing on the influence of the music we sing, the stories we share, and the tools and furnishings we use. Sound enclosures create listening environments for visitors to experience folk storytelling, singing, and instrumental music. There are also examples of quilting, woodwork, basketry, weaving, and every pottery.

The story of golf legend Bobby Jones and his trip to the rolling green fairways of Augusta National and the Master is told. This display traces Georgia's story of golf from course development and tournament play to women in the game and the integration of public courses.

There is currently an exhibit of nearly 100 works from cartoonist Jack Davis' work. He has done album covers, animated commercials, and book jackets along with MAD Magazine characters and 36 Time Magazine covers plus much more. A 30-minute video also sheds light on his career and the work he loves.

We also visited the Historic Homes and Gardens on this property. The Swan House is an elegant classically styled mansion named for the swan motif found throughout the building. The house is currently undergoing renovation but the tour tells about the Inman family, the servants and their activities, the lifestyles of the 1920s and 1930s, and the styles present in the house and gardens.

The Tullie Smith Farm is another sight available for touring. It is a plantation-plain house built in the 1840s by the Robert Smith family. Originally located east of Atlanta outside the city limits, the house survived the near-total destruction of Atlanta in 1864. Contrary to popular belief, yeoman farm were more commonplace than the large plantations many people associate with the Deep South. The farm comples serves as tangible evidence of the rural past in a metropolitan area. The house is surrounded by a separate kitchen, blacksmith shop, smokehouse, double corncrib, pioneer log cabin, and barn. Costumed interpreters perform everyday activities typical of nineteenth-centry rural Georgia such as open-hearth cooking, animal care, blacksmithing, basket weaving, candle making, yarn spinning, weaving, and other craft demonstrations.

A fun walk down memory lane took place in the "Toy Stories: A Playful History of Toys" exhibit. I got to play an old Atari game and saw toys from as far back as the early 20th Century.

The permanent collection also includes a folk art exhibit (which I felt was a little out of place). Walking from the Civil War to Toys to Bobby Jones to Folk Art was weird but it kept it interesting.

It was also fun to walk around the grounds on the nature trails and explore two historic southern buildings. I really love traditional southern architecture.

The museum is right next to the Governor's Mansion and on West Paces Ferry Rd. (one of the prettiest drives in Atlanta). If you have about 2-3 hours, this an excellent family activity. It is particulary fun if you are a history buff.

It should be noted that the museum sponsors many wonderful, special activities for kids including golf clinics (Georgia, of course, has very strong ties to this sport! There is a permanent Bobby Jones exhibit in the museum.), sheep shawling in the Tullie Smith Farm, American war re-enactments, folk arts, etc.... You may visit the History Center's website at www.atlantahistorycenter.com to view a schedule of such events.

Essential Information:
Operating Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10-5:30
Sunday 12-5:30
Closed Major Holidays
Admission:
$12/adult, $10/seniors, $7/kids 3-17, Free/under 3. Extra $1 fee for tours of Tullie Smith Farm and Swan House.
On-site Food:
Casual dining in the Coca Cola Cafe or more refined lunch in the Swan Coach House. Cafe open daily. Swan Coach House closed on Sundays.

Tip: Atlanta residents look for once-a-year specials in the AJC when admission to the museum is greatly reduced or free.