Hundreds of years will be on display, in myriad ways, at the Atlanta History Center in the next several months. There’s plenty to discover between now and June, on and off the center’s 33-acre Buckhead campus.
Much of February’s focus is on black history and Atlanta’s singular place in the timeline of African-American life in the South. Also in February: a talk by comedian, director, new author and “The Office” actor B.J. Novak.
Some events are free, many are included with admission to the center. Unless specified, all events are at the Atlanta History Center. Reservations are required for all lectures, regardless of ticket price.
Several half-year highlights are below. Find a full listing HERE.
FEBRUARY
6th: William Link, Atlanta, Cradle of the New South: Race and Remembering in the Civil War’s Aftermath. Link is the a history professor at the University of Florida and the author of 13 books. Using his latest as the framework, he’ll speak on pre-Civil War attitudes and postwar transitions that made Atlanta a model for other Southern cities and helped define black America. 8 p.m. $5 members; $10 non-members. Reservations required at 404.814.4150 or HERE.
8th: Struggles and Strides: The Early Fight for Civil Rights. This family program explores the African-American experience from the Great Migration to the civil rights movement. Included is a performance of Walking Through the Valley: A Journey Toward Freedom by center playwright Addae Moon. 11a.m.-4 p.m. Members free; included in admission for non-members. Tickets at 404.814.4150 or HERE.
13th: Glitter and Glue: A Memoir. Best-selling author Kelly Corrigan, who’s also an Oprah Magazine contributor and YouTube video-essay darling, discusses her latest book. The title comes from her mother’s early admonition about their family life: “Your father’s the glitter, but I’m the glue.” 7 p.m. $5 members; $10 non-members. Margaret Mitchell House, 990 Peachtree St. N.E. Reservations at 404.814.4150 or HERE.
19th: Civil War 15 Program: An Evening With James McPherson. McPherson’s Battle Cry of Freedom is often considered the best single-volume book Civil War on history. This program is moderated by Stephen Berry, a civil war professor at the University of Georgia, and will feature a loose framework of McPherson’s reflections on his writing career, and the legacy and controversies of the war. 8. p.m. $5 members: $10 non-members. Reservations required at 404.814.4150 or HERE.
21st: One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories. B.J. Novak, an actor, director, comedian and Harvard graduate, has added fiction writer to his resume with Stories. It’s filled with tales about characters as varied as a school principal determined to rid his school of arithmetic, and a woman just as determined to seduce motivational guru Tony Robbins. Novak’s thoughts on Facebook, author John Grisham and an ambulance driver who longs to be a singer-songwriter are also found in his literary debut. 7 p.m. $30 members: $40 non-members. Each ticket includes lecture and a copy of the book. Reservations required at 404.814.4150 or HERE.
MARCH
13th: Livingston Lecture: Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, HRC. HRC is none other than Hillary Rodham Clinton. In their book, Washington journalists Allen and Parnes examine Clinton’s comeback from her primary defeat in 2008, her time in the Obama administration and possible political strategy if she runs for president again. 8 p.m. $5 members, $10 non-members. Reservations required at 404.814.4150 or HERE.
15th: Citizens and Soldiers: The American Civil War. Re-enactments, encampments and demonstrations commemorate the Civil War sesquicentennial. Also: tours of Turning Point: The American Civil War exhibit. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Members free; including in center admission for non-members. Smith Family Farm on the History Center campus. Details HERE.
MAY
25th: Military Timeline. Follow a timeline from the Revolutionary War to current conflicts, and meet veterans who share personal stories and wartime memorabilia. Also: encampments, a military vehicle display and explorations of the center’s Veterans Park. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Members free; included in center admission for non-members. Smith Family Farm on campus. Details at 404.814.4000 or HERE.
JUNE
7th: Finding Billy Yank and Johnny Reb: Researching Your Civil War Ancestor. History center archivist Sue VerHoef offers tips and techniques for researching Civil War-era relatives for those with an intermediate level of skill in genealogy. 10:30 a.m.-noon. $10 members; $15 non-members. Space is limited. Reservations at 404.814.4150 or HERE.
21st-22nd: Juneteenth: The First Day of Freedom. A two-day celebration focusing on the end of slavery. Explore themes of family history and freedom with workshops, performances, kid-friendly activities and exhibitions. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Members free; part of general admission for non-members.
ONGOING
Magic Mondays. Monthly program for ages 18 months to 5 years. Engages children in creative, hands-on programs. Sessions are Feb. 10 (Funny Valentine), March 10 (Blast Off!), April 14 (Egg Hunt on the Farm) and May 12 (Little Explorer). 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Details HERE.
Home-school day. Monthly program for home-schooled students and their families. For toddlers to teens. Sessions are Feb. 4 (Great American Presidents), March 12 (Inventions That Changed History), April 10 (Explorers) and May 9 (The Battle of Atlanta). 1- 4 p.m. Details HERE.
— Compiled by Therra C. Gwyn
