SR 1101: 100th anniversary of the Atlanta History Center; recognize and commemorate

Senate Resolution 1101

By: Senators Halpern of the 39th and Orrock of the 36th

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Atlanta History Center; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Atlanta History Center was founded in 1926 as the Atlanta Historical Society by civic leaders, including Walter McElreath, with the mission of preserving historical sources related to Atlanta, studying the city's past, and promoting public understanding of the region's history; and

WHEREAS, over the course of the past century, the organization has grown from a small historical society that initially met in members' homes and collected historical materials into one of the leading cultural and historical institutions in the Southeastern United States; and

WHEREAS, today, the Atlanta History Center operates a 33-acre campus in the Buckhead district of Atlanta that includes the Atlanta History Museum, historic houses, research archives, educational facilities, and gardens that collectively preserve and interpret the rich and diverse history of Atlanta, the State of Georgia, and the American South; and

WHEREAS, the Atlanta History Center preserves and interprets significant historic structures, including the Swan House, a 1928 mansion designed by architect Philip Trammell Shutze; the Smith Family Farm, which provides insight into rural life and the history of agriculture and slavery in nineteenth-century Georgia; and the Wood Family Cabin, a historic frontier-era log structure that represents early settlement in the region; and

WHEREAS, the institution also operates the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum in Midtown Atlanta, the apartment building where author Margaret Mitchell wrote the novel Gone with the Wind, one of the most widely read works of American literature; and

WHEREAS, through the Kenan Research Center, the Atlanta History Center maintains extensive archival collections that preserve manuscripts, photographs, books, oral histories, and other historical materials documenting the people, businesses, culture, and development of Atlanta and the surrounding region; and

WHEREAS, the Atlanta History Center holds millions of historical artifacts and documents, including one of the most significant collections of Civil War artifacts in the United States, making it a vital resource for scholars, educators, students, and researchers studying the history of Georgia and the American South; and

WHEREAS, the Atlanta History Center plays an important role in preserving and interpreting the history of the Civil Rights Movement, a defining period in both Georgia and American history, through exhibitions, research collections, and educational programming that examine the struggle for racial equality, justice, and democratic participation; and

WHEREAS, by presenting exhibitions and historical scholarship related to the Civil Rights Movement and the broader social transformations of the twentieth century, the Atlanta History Center helps ensure that the stories of those who fought for civil rights and social justice are preserved and shared with future generations; and

WHEREAS, the center's educational programs, lectures, exhibitions, and community initiatives provide opportunities for students, educators, and visitors to engage with complex historical topics, fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences and perspectives that have shaped Atlanta's growth from a nineteenth-century railroad hub into a modern global city; and

WHEREAS, the Atlanta History Center serves as a major cultural and educational destination for the State of Georgia, welcoming visitors from across the nation and around the world while contributing to the preservation of Georgia's historical legacy and cultural heritage; and

WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks the centennial anniversary of the Atlanta History Center's founding, representing 100 years of dedication to historical preservation, scholarship, education, and storytelling that connects people to the past and inspires future generations; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper to honor the Atlanta History Center for its century-long commitment to preserving history, promoting civic understanding, and honoring the individuals and movements that have shaped the State of Georgia and the nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize and commend the Atlanta History Center upon the grand occasion of its 100th anniversary and extend sincere best wishes for continued success. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Atlanta History Center.