Get ready to say goodbye to the Atlanta Cyclorama, for a time at least.
The attraction near Zoo Atlanta closes Tuesday in preparation for conservation, restoration and a move to the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead. Construction for the new Cyclorama building should begin this fall and be ready for visitors sometime in 2017.
The Battle of Atlanta painting, the Texas locomotive and other artifacts, including four cannons, will relocate to a custom-built annex on the History Center’s 33-acre campus. The 23,000-sq. ft. addition will be on the northeast corner of the campus, connect to the current museum and meet museum standards to maintain a proper environment for long-term conservation. An enclosed glass breezeway connecting the museum and the new Whitaker Cyclorama building has been designed to showcase the Texas locomotive from the West Paces Ferry street view.
The cost for this: an estimated $22 million.
The 1921 Cyclorama building in Grant Park will be developed into a community event space and become part of the zoo’s African Savanna exhibit.
