Richmond's telling of Civil War history can be model for Atlanta (Mitchell: house, fence)

[aries4118]

Richmond's telling of Civil War history can be model for Atlanta *| ajc.com

I think this can be a way for Atlanta to authentically embrace its past. I do not believe in erasing elements of Atlanta's tortured and bittersweet history. We have to find a way to celebrate all that is "Atlanta" (warts and all)--but without going into the slippery slope of "Southern Mythology."




Another interesting link that relates to this thread topic:

B*ATL 7.19.08

B*ATL...
...An awesome event--and an authentic way to celebrate all of Atlanta's past/history. Battle of Atlanta, a Civil War to Civil Rights Tent, Re-enactments, etc.

More cool information about B*ATL...
On urban battlefield, history meets hipsters *| ajc.com

[aries4118]

B*ATL 2011: 147th Anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta - Lomography

[aries4118]

From The Civil War To Civil Rights - East Atlanta, GA Patch

[aries4118]

B*ATL 7/16/11

[SW30303]

Great links, aries, thanks for bringing up this topic. I haven't been keeping up with the dates of the Civil War. While I am a history buff, I really haven't been following the 150th anniversaries as closely as I would like. Here is a link showing approximate dates during those war years.

It is worth noting that there is absolutely nothing that remains in Downtown Atlanta from the Civil War or earlier. If I recall correctly, the oldest building there is a one story building in the underground area built around 1870 or so. So for the casual history buff, there is not much to see near Atlanta from that era other than maybe Kennessaw Mountain and few other spots like the Cyclorama and Tara House. The better places for Civil War buffs are the various battlefield parks farther north and some west of Georgia.

This Civil War Traveler website provides some notable places to visit throughout the South and elsewhere to mark the sesquicentennial anniversaries.

[northwinds]

The powers that be in Atlanta don't want to embrace any part of civil war history....and, in fact, are trying to abolish anything to do with it. The Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown could be a tourist attraction, but it just sits there with a fence around it so people won't try to burn it down again. Most all of the streets named after civil war generals have been renamed after "community activists", etc. I agree with the previous post saying that touring the battle fields to the North is the best bet for any civil war buffs.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by SW30303

Great links, aries, thanks for bringing up this topic. I haven't been keeping up with the dates of the Civil War. While I am a history buff, I really haven't been following the 150th anniversaries as closely as I would like. Here is a link showing approximate dates during those war years.

It is worth noting that there is absolutely nothing that remains in Downtown Atlanta from the Civil War or earlier. If I recall correctly, the oldest building there is a one story building in the underground area built around 1870 or so. So for the casual history buff, there is not much to see near Atlanta from that era other than maybe Kennessaw Mountain and few other spots like the Cyclorama and Tara House. The better places for Civil War buffs are the various battlefield parks farther north and some west of Georgia.

This Civil War Traveler website provides some notable places to visit throughout the South and elsewhere to mark the sesquicentennial anniversaries.

However, I think the City of Atlanta could celebrate and capitalize on its Civil War history with grand historical markers, monuments, statues, and commemorative plazas/mini-parks, and marked tour trails/paths. This should be a major initiative. We can imagine/dream it--and I think it could happen.

The same should be done with our Civil Rights history (grand markers, monuments, statues, plazas/mini-markers, marked trails/paths). Our Civil Rights history has much more that "remains"--which would help with this initiative anymore. Our "Freedom Walk" could be improved as well.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by SW30303

It is worth noting that there is absolutely nothing that remains in Downtown Atlanta from the Civil War or earlier. If I recall correctly, the oldest building there is a one story building in the underground area built around 1870 or so. So for the casual history buff, there is not much to see near Atlanta from that era other than maybe Kennessaw Mountain and few other spots like the Cyclorama and Tara House. The better places for Civil War buffs are the various battlefield parks farther north and some west of Georgia.

And I think that's the major difference between Richmond and Atlanta. Plus, the two cities are just different in their mindsets. Richmond relishes in its history, while Atlanta recognizes its history but strives much more to be a "now" city.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

And I think that's the major difference between Richmond and Atlanta. Plus, the two cities are just different in their mindsets. Richmond relishes in its history, while Atlanta recognizes its history but strives much more to be a "now" city.

In that way I think Atlanta loses a lot of its character. The past and even the recent past are erased. So Atlanta's character is more rooted in the latest fad.

[oldschoolChevy]

Originally Posted by northwinds

The powers that be in Atlanta don't want to embrace any part of civil war history....and, in fact, are trying to abolish anything to do with it. The Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown could be a tourist attraction, but it just sits there with a fence around it so people won't try to burn it down again. Most all of the streets named after civil war generals have been renamed after "community activists", etc. I agree with the previous post saying that touring the battle fields to the North is the best bet for any civil war buffs.

What street in Atlanta was ever named after a civil war general?