Georgia's museums are preparing to welcome thousands of guests for the annual Museum Day Live. Which museums should you visit for free? Here are the museums, exhibits and artifacts you won't want to miss:
The Booth Museum – Pop art in a Western art museum? Unless you have already been to The Booth Museum, you probably didn't realize that there are six Andy Warhol works from 1986 in The Modern West gallery. That's enough to inspire a visit all by itself. While you're there, be sure to see the works by Georgia artist Steve Penley, and browse the movie memorabilia and U.S. presidential letters.
The Southern Trilogy – Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall and Smith Plantation are all prime examples of Roswell's heritage. The landmarks are filled with artifacts and stories from the founders of the town and their families, including President Theodore Roosevelt. A visit to The Southern Trilogy will make you see your hometown in a different light.
Georgia Museum of Art – Created around 1510 by Venetian artist Marco Basaiti, "Madonna and Child" is a tempera on wood painting. It is one of 12 Italian paintings from the Trecento and Baroque periods given to the museum by the Kress Foundation. The work is part of the museum's permanent collection.
National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center –The immersive National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center features vehicles used during war, an in-depth look at the infantry's training processes and a solemn peek into each major conflict in which the infantry was involved, from the Revolutionary War to World War II to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Museum of Design Atlanta – Where is the future of 3-D printing? The museum's new exhibit, "Designers, Makers, Users: 3-D Printing the Future," features an in-depth look at the way 3-D printing is revolutionizing our lives.
Road to Tara Museum – The historical road to Scarlett O'Hara's beloved Tara runs to Jonesboro. The perfect complement to a stop at the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown, the Road to Tara Museum boasts artifacts from the "Gone With the Wind" movie as well as exhibits featuring historical items from the time in which the novel is set.
Marietta Museum of History – Long before it was Atlanta's chosen urban sprawl destination, Marietta was in the cross hairs of conflict. Discover the town's history at the Kennesaw House, which includes the impact of the Civil War on the town and its connection to a Yankee spy.
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame – Filling 43,000 square feet, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the state's athletic endeavors in a number of sports. While you're there, grab a seat in its 205-seat theater. It features exposed steel trellises based on the design of Ponce de Leon Park, the Atlanta ballpark that was home to the Atlanta Crackers baseball team for more than 50 years.
High Museum of Art – Time is running out to catch two Atlanta-centric exhibits: "The Coca-Cola Bottle: An American Icon at 100" and "Sprawl! Drawing Outside the Lines."
Augusta Museum of History – Please try out the Augusta Museum of History's "The Godfather of Soul" exhibit, which features one of the town's most famous former residents, funk singer James Brown. Costumes, artifacts and personal photographs are highlights of the exhibit.
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