New Publication and Interactive Experience Opening on April 25 Bring a Century Of Atlanta’s Stories To Life Through 100 Artifacts
As part of its year-long 100th anniversary celebration, Atlanta History Center announces the release of Atlanta in 100 Objects: A Century of Stories, a richly illustrated coffee table book and an accompanying campus-wide exhibition that together offer a vibrant portrait of Atlanta through the objects that define it. The book is available for sale through Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, and other book sellers as well as at the Atlanta History Center gift shop, and through their website.
Opening April 25, the accompanying exhibition extends across Atlanta History Center’s 33-acre campus, including galleries, immersive experiences, gardens, and historic homes, inviting visitors into a self-guided, treasure hunt-style experience to discover these objects in person.
Published by Scala Arts & Heritage Publishers, the book draws from a century of collecting to present 100 carefully selected artifacts that illuminate Atlanta’s complex and evolving story, from its origins as a transportation hub to its role in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement, to the cultural force it is today. With a foreword by the Honorable Andrew Young, the book brings together iconic and unexpected objects, from the Western & Atlantic Railroad’s Zero Milepost, marking the city’s founding, to a glittering disco ball from the famed Backstreet nightclub, each offering a unique lens into the people, events, and ideas that have shaped Atlanta and, in turn, the nation.
“At the 100-year point, it is important to pause and reflect on what has been accomplished,” said Sheffield Hale, President and CEO of Atlanta History Center. “Within these pages are 100 examples of the many stories that can be told about our collective past, offering perspectives and insights that help inform our city’s future. When experienced across our campus, the breadth and diversity of our collection comes to life in a way that ensures every visitor will discover something unexpected—objects and stories they’ve likely never encountered before.”
The objects span centuries and disciplines, from rare books and historic maps to fashion, signage, and transportation, offering a deeply human view of Atlanta’s past, present, and future.
Highlights include:
• First Map of Atlanta (1864): Used by Union troops during General William T. Sherman’s campaign
• Letter from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to future Mayor of Atlanta Sam Massell (1964): A powerful reflection of Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement
• Hanson Six Touring Car (1920): One of only two remaining vehicles from an Atlanta-based automaker
• Fox Theatre Marquee Letters (1950s): Pieces from one of Atlanta’s most iconic landmarks
Additional objects include rare publications, such as a 1754 edition of The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, as well as items that reflect everyday life, creativity, and community across generations.
Visitors can enhance their experience through the Bloomberg Connects app, which offers additional audio and visual storytelling to enhance the exhibition.
As Atlanta History Center celebrates its centennial, 100 Objects: A Century of Stories reflects its ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing the stories that define Atlanta—inviting audiences to explore a city that continues to evolve through the objects that tell its story.
For more information, visit: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/atlanta-in-100-objects/.
