Much of Atlanta burned during Sherman's famous march to the sea, one of the most destructive campaigns against a civilian population during the Civil War.
A few relics still stand (and are open for tours), and much more of Atlanta's post-war history is proudly preserved in her historic homes — from the writers' quarters at Margaret Mitchell House to the humble south side craftsman in which Martin Luther King, Jr. grew from boy to man.
Thanks in large part to the National Registry of Historic Sites and the Atlanta History Center, there are tours and historic preservation efforts afoot each day in Atlanta.
Here are just a few of the many historic homes you can tour:
Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW
404-814-4000
Built in 1928 for Edward H. Inman, of Inman Park fame today (and of richer than everyone else fame in his era), the Swan House is among the architectural crown jewels of any historic home tour in Atlanta. The Inman family lost much of their wealth —wealth largely founded on cotton and railroad interests — during the Civil War. (Not unlike the post-apocolyptic capital city wealth disparity it was meant to convey in the "Hunger Games: Catching Fire".) But, back in the real world, the Inman's had clearly recovered quite nicely from the shifting Southern markets by 1928. You can see for yourself, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
979 Crescent Ave. NE
Like Swan House, the Margaret Mitchell House is today a part of the Atlanta History Center. The Margaret Mitchell House is where the author famously wrote "Gone With the Wind". There are writing workshops, tours and more for visitors and regulars alike from 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Sundays —if, frankly, you give a damn.
501 Auburn Ave
404-331-5190
The King family home is included among the historic sites on display at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. It is the only portion of the tour that comes with a guide; the Ebenezer Baptist Church, King family grave site, Freedom Hall, and historic fire station are all self-guided. The 30-minute tour outlines the first twelve years of Dr. King's life -- those lived at 501 Auburn Avenue -- from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily (except certain holidays).
Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW
404-814-4000
For a glimpse into pre-war Atlanta, visit the Tullie Smith House at the Smith Family Farm. Built in the 1840's by Robert Smith, the Tullie Smith house was originally located outside the city to the east, and thus survived the fires brought by war. Atlanta History Center moved the relic on site in the 1970's to showcase life in rural south in the time before civil war. You can tour the Smith Family Farm on the same hours schedule as the Swan House.
180 Bulloch Ave, Roswell, GA
770-992-1731
If rural slave-era Atlanta is on display at the Smith Family Farm, the grandiose wealth of the slave economy can be taken in through the Greek Revival opulence of Bulloch Hall in Roswell. The home, along with the other grand estates of the pre-war era in Roswell's historic district, were left untouched by Sherman as a favor to the city's northern-born founder Roswell King.
Built in 1839, Bulloch Hall is the historic home of early settler Major James Stephens Bulloch (grandson of Governor Archibald Bulloch). Their daughter Mittie Bulloch was married in the dining room to Theodore Roosevelt, who later became the 26th President of the United States.
The hall is open 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday. Tours begin every hour on the hour, with the final tour beginning at 3 p.m. Tours last about 45 minutes, and no tickets are needed to tour the grounds, gardens or outbuildings. A cellphone guided tour is available. Bulloch Hall is closed on most holidays.
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