Atlanta History Center

As a VENUE: Host your event…

We offer nine indoor and outdoor venues for: * weddings * corporate, and * nonprofit events * social events of any occasion, and * photo shoots. Atlanta History Center is the ideal venue for any event – complete with gardens, a grand ballroom, outdoor terraces, and a museum with rotating exhibitions. Available spaces and event accommodations include:

• Events at Swan House Gardens: Host an unforgettable social gathering or have a memorable wedding ceremony at the historic venue setting. This Atlanta landmark is versatile enough to host a dinner party or act as a pre-function space for the Grand Overlook ballroom. Consider adding a costumed interpreter that will perform historical character narratives. The lawns can accommodate 50 to 750 guests. Because Swan House is a historic house museum, parties, and receptions are not allowed inside the mansion, but your guests can tour the mansion for a few hours during your event.
• Events at Grand Overlook: Enjoy a spectacular evening in the Grand Overlook ballroom featuring a barrel vaulted ceiling, Brazilian cherry-wood floors and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the illuminated wooded Quarry Garden. This well-known Atlanta event venue can host standing receptions up to 750 guests as well as seated dinners for 500 and 400 for dinner and dancing. The Grand Overlook is perfect for weddings, mitzvahs, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, graduation celebrations or any other special occasion. Consider including the Atlanta History Museum to provide a historic element to your event or add the Museum Terraces and/or Swan House Gardens for a one-of-a-kind experience.
• Events at Atlanta History Museum: Your guests can begin their evening in our atrium then tour our award-winning exhibitions while sipping a libation and enjoying learning about Southern history. The Museum is a splendid event venue in its own respect, but can be combined with the Grand Overlook ballroom as well. For weddings, the Museum is great for cocktail hour while we transform the Grand Overlook Ballroom from a ceremony site to an exceptional reception space. Or you can have your ceremony on the Museum Terraces and embrace nature in an impressive way, enjoy cocktail in the Museum before entering your reception in the Grand Overlook Ballroom. For social celebrations, mitzvahs and other special occasions the Museum provides a historic backdrop and an edutainment element to your event. This unique space can accommodate up to 130 guests for dinner or 500 guests for a standing reception. The Atlanta History Museum may be rented on its own or with the Grand Overlook ballroom, allowing for a variety of evening event options in this historic venue.
• Events at McElreath Hall: McElreath Hall is one of our most versatile spaces where a sky-lit atrium creates a welcoming entrance for the Members Room, our boutique ballroom and the 400 seat Woodruff Auditorium. The Members Room offers a warm and gracious atmosphere with three crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Quarry and Asian American gardens and is an ideal location for an intimate wedding ceremony, upscale rehearsal dinner, special occasions and other social celebrations. Woodruff Auditorium is a fixed seat auditorium that can seat up to 400 guests for commencements or wedding ceremonies.
• Events at Cox Room: Whether you are looking for an intimate space to host an all-day corporate meeting, rehearsal dinner, or birthday party, the Cox Room does not disappoint. With its beautifully appointed décor and unique design elements, this room has that “wow” factor from the minute you walk in. The Cox Room can accommodate 110 guests standing or seated.
• Events at Cyclorama: After entering through the Locomotion: Railroads and the Making of Atlanta, guests will flow into the upper gallery of Cyclorama: The Big Picture  for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres—or a seated dinner surrounded by artifacts. When your guests venture into the Cyclorama they will be awed by the almost 18,000 square foot painting and diorama. This 1886 artifact was recently restored and opened in February 2019 as one of Atlanta’s most unique event spaces. The upper gallery accommodates 200 standing and 120 seated. The platform accommodates 60 standing.
• Events at Atlanta History Center Midtown: This Midtown campus of the Atlanta History Center is the birthplace of Gone With the Wind, is listed on the National Register for Historic Sites, and includes the apartment in which Margaret Mitchell penned her famous novel, two lawns and the Commercial Row event space. This versatile event venue is ideal for wedding ceremonies and receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, award dinners, lectures and presentations, fundraisers, birthdays, graduation celebrations and mitzvahs, or any other special occasion. Discover the picturesque ambiance of the urban setting listed on the National Register for Historic Sites. The three-story Tudor revival home contains three beautifully designed exhibitions and two floors with covered porches and balconies, and is surrounded by manicured lawns. From backyard BBQs to black tie affairs, the Margaret Mitchell House promises a memorable event.
• Events at Olguita’s Garden & Museum Terraces: As if from the pages of a fairytale, fragrant flowers bloom year-round in Olguita’s Garden. Find yourself a world apart surrounded by hundreds of blooms, perennials, and seasonal plantings against a fragrant and evergreen tea olive hedge. The ornamental garden, adjoining terrace, and private lawn are an ideal space for a cocktail hour or ceremony adjacent to the Grand Overlook Ballroom.Olguita’s Garden can accommodate approximately 50 people for an intimate ceremony. The Museum Terraces can accommodate 350 guests for a ceremony, or an array of café tables for a cocktail reception. Olguita’s Garden and Museum Terraces cannot be rented on their own, but make a wonderful addition to the Grand Overlook Ballroom or Atlanta History Museum. Discover the picturesque ambiance of the urban setting listed on the National Register for Historic Places. The three-story Tudor revival home contains three beautifully designed exhibitions and two floors with covered porches and balconies, and is surrounded by manicured lawns. From backyard BBQs to black tie affairs, the Margaret Mitchell House promises a memorable event.
• Events at Atlanta History Center Midtown: This Midtown campus of the Atlanta History Center is the birthplace of Gone With the Wind, is listed on the National Register for Historic Sites, and includes the apartment in which Margaret Mitchell penned her famous novel, two lawns and the Commercial Row event space. This versatile event venue is ideal for wedding ceremonies and receptions, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, award dinners, lectures and presentations, fundraisers, birthdays, graduation celebrations and mitzvahs, or any other special occasion.
• Photo Shoots: Acres of natural beauty, the majestic Swan House Gardens, Olguita’s Garden, and many other unique spaces make us an ideal location for your photo shoot. The Atlanta History Center is a private property—all photo shoots must adhere to the General Admission Photography Guidelines or require a photography permit issued from Atlanta History Center Private Events Department. We welcome photography and videography for personal use; however, personal photo shoots for a special occasion with a camera or on a cell phone, including but not limited to engagement, wedding, prom, family portraits, maternity, head shots, holiday card, quinceañera, anniversary, birthday, proposals, anyone using a tripod including sketching and painting, must be scheduled in advance and require a fee. More details on different types of private photo shoots that require a permit  include: Private Personal Photo Shoots * Proposals * Private Prom Photo Shoots * Styled Photo Shoots * Workshops, and * Commercial Photo Shoots.
• Filming: Atlanta History Center has hosted feature films, commercials, TV, etc. All film requests are considered; however, final approval is at the discretion of Atlanta History Center. Taken into consideration are the appropriateness of the film, the product being promoted, and alignment with our mission and guiding principles. Films cannot interfere with guest visitation or our primary purpose of collecting, preserving, and displaying Atlanta’s history.
•  Film Scouting: Film pricing is custom, we do not have a standard rate. Filming of any kind regardless of scale, including TV, movies, commercials, magazine shoots, student projects, etc. starts at $13,000 and goes up from there. Filming is typically not allowed inside Swan House. Filming inside Swan House is open for consideration for budgets of $60,000 or more. All film requests must be made at least two months in advance of shoot date. Anything less than two months will not be considered. We understand that excludes most TV opportunities. You must receive advance permission from Private Events to come and scout the grounds on your own; same day and next day scout/tour/meeting with a staff member are not available. We do not allow filming for music videos. Date/time specific shoots are difficult to accommodate because we are open to the public. We are always open to working with you on a date/time that is mutually beneficial, and works with our calendar; however, it will be easier to book your event if your time frame is flexible. Most weekends are booked with weddings. We cannot accommodate daytime events or filming due to visitors, field trips, public programming, the restaurant, and coffee shop which utilize most of our parking. The exception to this is Monday when Atlanta History Museum is closed to the public. Filming is not allowed on Smith Farm.
• Parking Rental: Atlanta History Center is located in Buckhead and has approximately 250 parking spaces. The parking lot is also an excellent basecamp location for filming nearby. Daytime parking request cannot be accommodated. Parking rental may be available from 4pm–8am.
• Atlanta History Center Midtown: Margaret Mitchell House is located on our Atlanta History Center Midtown campus; it is a common location for extras holding in the boutique ballroom, Commercial Row, which can accommodate approximately 130 people.

Support Atlanta History Center… by simply booking your next special occasion here:

https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/private-events

As a SHOP: Discover unique gifts…

Take home a piece of history!  Our Museum Shop is a warm and eclectic space offering a unique twist on the traditional museum shopping experience: The shop features: * gifts * goods, and an * extensive book selection highlighting regional history—curated by our experts.

Support Atlanta History Center… by simply purchasing your specialty merchandise here:

https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/buildings-and-grounds/museum-shop/

As an EATERY: Food for thought…

History making you hungry? Stop by for coffee + eats during your visit, or on your lunch break.

Souper Jenny Café offers up simply delicious fixins’ with a focus on seasonal flavors and local ingredients. Souper Jenny café keeps things fresh and creative. Enjoy a rotating menu of * soups * salads, and * sandwiches with gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. Pull up a chair, eat slowly and feast!—a warm and eclectic space offering a unique twist on the traditional museum dining experience. The menu changes daily according to what is fresh in the local market. In the cooler months, there are traditionally six hot soups, two sandwiches and two to four salads a day. For the warmer Atlanta months, we scale back on the hot soups and add in more chilled varieties. Souper Jenny fan favorites include My Dad’s Turkey Chili, Chicken Tortilla Soup and Chef Jessica’s Broccoli Slaw. Yum! Sit down and relax inside the café, on the outside patio, or on the tailor-designed mezzanine level while enjoying a beautiful view of the Buckhead skyline over Veterans Park. Free parking is conveniently located in the Atlanta History Center parking deck. An admission ticket is not required to shop or dine.

BRASH Coffee: “Pursuers of Simple, Delicious Coffee.” Its beans are sourced directly from farmers in Central and South America and roasted locally. In addition to drinks, including * drip coffee * espresso * cortado * cappuccino * mocha * matcha, and * chai lattes, and * tea. BRASH serves * baked treats that are delivered fresh daily. BRASH also serves * wine and * beer on behalf of Atlanta History Center. In addition to indoor seating close to the coffee bar, communal tables and benches of natural wood set an inviting stage for customers to spend time outside on the brick plaza. So stop by, grab a drink, and enjoy your time at Atlanta History Center.

Swan Coach House: For more than fifty years, The Swan Coach House has served Atlantans and their guests with a bit of history through leisurely luncheons and long conversations over * cheese straws * mint juleps * secret-recipe chicken salad, and * frozen fruit salad. In 1967, the industrious ladies of Atlanta’s Forward Arts Foundation renovated the space known as the carriage house of the famed Swan House at the Atlanta History Center and created a Restaurant, Gift Shop and Art Gallery and officially opening as the lavish Swan Coach House Restaurant. Experience the Swan Coach House Restaurant’s charming southern atmosphere and savor the “Swan’s Favorite” signature entree, as well as other Southern-inspired dishes. While walk-ins are always welcome, lunch crowds can be quite large.

Support Atlanta History Center… by simply dining here:

https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/buildings-and-grounds/food-and-coffee/

Be a DONOR: Show that you care…

As a not-for-profit organization, the Atlanta History Center relies on the support of members, donors, corporate sponsors and partners, and volunteers to sustain their mission to connect people, history, and culture. Your generosity is key to the development, growth, and maintenance of their exhibitions and collections; historic houses and gardens; archives and research facilities; school and public programs. Everything offered is developed to further the Center‘s mission and encourage us all to consider the past in a dynamic, participatory context. The Center is committed to building a stronger community through the lifelong process of civic education. Thank you for your generosity and commitment.

Membership:

Our members play a critical role in helping us to fulfill our mission to connect people, history, and culture. As an active participant in our communities, Atlanta History Center is fully committed to uniting Atlanta’s diverse audiences through history. Members receive complimentary access to everything we have to offer—exhibitions, historic houses, gardens and trails, special activities, and an assortment of family programming throughout the year. Memberships at specified levels are offered: Individual * Dual * Family + Caregiver * Sustaining + Caregiver * Sponsor + Caregiver, and * Insider Membership Levels that include: * Patron * Patron Family * Director’s Roundtable * Benefactor’s Circle * Chairman’s Circle * Phoenix Society * The 1926 Circle, and * Swan House Circle. 

Donations:

Your generosity is key to the development, growth, and maintenance of our exhibitions and collections; historic houses and gardens; archives and research facilities; school and public programs. Everything we offer is developed to further our mission and encourage us all to consider the past in a dynamic, participatory context. We are committed to building a stronger community through the lifelong process of civic education. Thank you for your generosity and commitment.

• Donations in specified amounts are designated or you may customize your gifts. Recurring gifts are encouraged. Memorial and Tribute gifts are welcomed. You may identify and underwrite efforts of your choice.
• Planned Giving/Endowment: Simply put, a planned gift is a philanthropic gift that is funded either during your lifetime or after your death. The gift is part of a larger estate-planning process in which you decide how certain assets are distributed. There are many financial instruments available and an estate planner can help you achieve your long-term financial goals, allowing you to take care of loved ones while still supporting organizations such as the Atlanta History Center. Unless otherwise restricted by you as the donor, you planned gift to the Atlanta History Center will support the endowment – meaning your gift will truly benefit the long-term health of the organization for generations to come. Types of planned gifts may include: Life Insurance, Closely held Stock, Charitable Lead Trust, and Charitable Remainder Trust.
• Endowment: The Atlanta History Center’s endowment is a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding. Endowment assets are professionally managed, with annual distributions determined by the Atlanta History Center Board of Trustees. Each year, endowment earnings fund over $3.5 million in annual support of key History Center projects and other designated areas of interest. Unless otherwise designated by the donor, all planned gifts directly benefit the Atlanta History Center’s endowment. Any donor wishing to invest in the future of the History Center may make a gift of any size at any time to the endowment.
• Matching Gifts: You may be able to double your donation to the Atlanta History Center. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs to match charitable contributions made by their employees. Gifts from retirees and spouses may also qualify for a match.
• Gifts of Stock: Gifts of appreciated securities, such as stocks and mutual funds, are excellent ways to support Atlanta History Center. Such gifts are simple and may provide a greater tax benefit than an equivalent gift in cash.
• Donation of Physical or Digital Items: Please explain what you would like to donate, the history of the items, and their connection to Atlanta. Information about the owner and when or how they were made or acquired is also helpful. An Atlanta History Center (AHC) team member will follow up with a request for photos and additional information. Materials will be assessed at the monthly Collections Development Committee meeting and all donors will be notified of the committee’s decision.

AHC Insiders: Become an Insider and receive insider-only information, opportunities, and benefits. AHC Insiders levels include * Patron * Director’s Roundtable * Benefactor’s Circle * Chairman’s Circle * Phoenix Society, and * 1926 Circle, and * Swan House Circle 

Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors make it possible for families, school children, and researchers to benefit from Atlanta History Center’s year-round interactive exhibitions and programming. With your support, the Atlanta History Center will continue to reach thousands of visitors and program attendees through events, exhibitions, or public programs.

Volunteer: Atlanta History Center has many areas available for volunteers to work with the public or behind-the-scenes, from special events to maintaining beautiful gardens to helping lead tours through our historic houses and exhibitions.

Support Atlanta History Center… by simply joining, giving, and volunteering here:

https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/support