It’s good news to hear that the state is reconsidering the concept for a Georgia history museum. Whether or not it is an actual museum and/or occupies the old World of Coca-Cola site, the time is right to explore the notion of a state-of-the-art facility that would celebrate Georgia’s past, present and, most importantly, future.
Who can argue that we entered a new era for our city and state with the opening of the Georgia Aquarium in 2005? (Thank you, Bernie Marcus.) B.A., or “Before the Aquarium,” as I like to say, we had a varied collection of veteran facilities sprinkled throughout the metro area — Stone Mountain, Six Flags, our wonderful Zoo Atlanta and even the Cyclorama, to name a few — but they were vastly spread out from one another, creating very little synergy among our visitor and tourist base.
That all changed as millions of visitors and residents began to flock to the Centennial Park area to patronize the Aquarium, the new World of Coca Cola, the Children’s Museum and CNN Center, all within walking distance of one another. And with the wave of next year’s new openings in the same area — the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame Atlanta and the Atlanta Streetcar — it’s clear we’ve come a long way since our 2006 attempt to secure the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
We’ve learned a great deal about the attraction business since then. Most importantly, we know that traditional museums are a dying breed among the modern-day menu of consumer choices. There seems to be a greater demand for innovative and interactive cultural and entertainment centers. As the state history museum discussions continue, it is important to note that there are not many old-style museums being constructed today without very extensive feasibility studies and community input.
The new facility could celebrate all that is great about Georgia. It could serve as a historical exhibit, state welcome center and a source of pride for all Georgians. Grounded by our state’s natural and cultural heritage, this multi-faceted facility could be many things: a beacon of commitment to progress and future growth, an economic development tool, and a gateway to the rich offerings that exist throughout the state.
In other words, this does not just have to be a history lesson.
So once the decision is made for what it should be, careful consideration should be given for where it should be. A possible location at the old World of Coca-Cola site should factor in the unique hospitality asset of the historic Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, the connection to the Georgia State University campus, and the proximity to the Capitol grounds. It seems to be one of the most logical site choices. But there are still many factors to consider.
Let’s keep this discussion going to create an iconic celebration of all that is great about Georgia.
A.J. Robinson is president of Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District.
