Atlanta History Center

130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA

Address:	130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
Phone:	+1 404-814-4000
Site:	atlantahistorycenter.com
Rating:	4.4
Working:	10AM–5:30PM 10AM–5:30PM 10AM–5:30PM 10AM–5:30PM 10AM–5:30PM 10AM–5:30PM 12–5:30PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

A Private User

Let me begin by saying I am writing this review of the tour guide and not the museum. What I was able to see of the museum seemed to be a very enjoyable experience. I have traveled to museums all around the world from St. Petersburg, Russia to Sydney, Australia and Kelly the tour guide for the Swan house was the most outspoken, mean spirited, rude guide I have ever encountered. From the very beginning of the the tour she was barking rules at everyone and seemed really hostile. I had my two year old strapped into her stroller and Kelly very stearnly infromed me strollers were not allowed in the house. So I followed her instructions and removed my toddler from the stroller and procedded inside. Once inside my toddler was holding a sealed box of cranberries and Kelly said my chlid could not have the cranberries inside the house. So once again I obeyed the rules and took the box of cranberries away and my toddler began to wimper, any of you parents out there can relate, taking a chlids prized possession of snacks dosent always go over well. However, I understood this is a historical landmark and they need to protect its integrity. From that point without the stroller to keep her close and the box of cranberries to keep her hands occupied, I decided to leave the tour out of respect for the others and to spare my toddler from having to be scolded because I am sure she would have broken more rules. When we purchased the tickets we were told to be at the Swan house on time because once the tour began and the doors closed, no one else is let in, no exceptions. Our guide stopped the tour twice to open the doors to let people in. So I guess for her rules can be broken according to her discretion. Had we known that we would not have stood outside waiting for the tour for 20 minutes in 40 degree weather. I asked her about this during our "exchange of words" and she said "it was 4:01, when I opened the doors" and that was not true the tour had started well before. I procedded to walk out the door to pick up the stroller and Kelly asked the others I was with if "she was leaving"? I heard her and responded by saying I was because the tour was not child friendly so I thought it was best that we leave. I did not say this to be rude just truthful. She seemed to become very angry by that comment. Kelly then very sarcastically and angrily told me she has children on her tour all the time that do just fine and mine needed a nap. What kind of tour guide says that? Making comments about a child she dosent know. Insulting and insinuating bad behavior about a chlid? My chlid wasnt even misbehaving, true she wasnt happy having things taken away but she wasnt throwing a tantrum. I did not expect to be confronted by a angry, argumentative tour guide and I certainley did not go to the museum to have my childs behavior critiqued by this women. Does this museum know what kind of person is representing them? Once inside she confronted the other three people in my party by asking them in front of everyone if anyone else wanted to leave because if so this was the time to do it. Unbelieveable! The museum employess in the front were very apologetic and kind and offered me two free tickets toward a future visit. They informed me that the tours are difficult with little ones and people find it easier to take the self guided tours. One of the women was a tour guide and she offered to take us on a tour on another day. We had a limited time in Atlanta so we were not able to do so, however I appreciated the hospitality and kindness what a stark contrast to the other guide. Why someone who seems to dislike people be in a industry where you deal with people all day every day is puzzling. Kelly, a few lessons in customer service, appreciation and anger management would do you wonders. Dont be afraid to shed a little of that tough girl persona, a little kindness toward people will not kill you.

Crystal Parten

I took a group of AP US History students to the AHC yesterday and we had the best time. We did the Civil War Guided Tour with our guide - Felicia Wheeler. She was so energetic and had the right combination of pop culture, history and child development knowledge to really hook the kids and keep them interested throughout the presentations. Chick-Fil-A delivered our lunch right on time and it was all accurate and we had a picnic on the grounds of the amphitheater. We then broke into groups and explored the campus for a few hours. I made a scavenger hunt using "GooseChase" for them to do while exploring the AHC and that really helped keep them focused on looking at and learning new things. I will definitely take an other groups as this trip was seamless!

Joshua Sass

The place is very good however the parking attendants are a bunch of idiots who are extremely rude & Unprofessionally ! There is a circle for the entrance that is a drop off & pickup area NOT a parking area for the restaurant ! This is how they work over here. Had a charter bus & 2 mini buses - was told by Andrew Chambliss ( parking security/attendant) the cars are only gonna be 20 mins - here it is 30 mins to 45 mins later and pouring down rain my group comes. Now they are being inconvenienced because of these parking attendants, some in the group are disabled . It is not fair that these folks can make up any rule they want and have seniors get soak and wet & have too walk when there is a front entrance !

A Private User

This museum was the highlight of Atlanta for me, I would plan to spend at least half a day there next time. The 2 historic house tours were staffed by passionate volunteers, which allowed me to feel I had been transported back in time, to know the stories and lifestyle the occupants. The other museums focus on the Civil War, Atlanta and several other themes. I cannot understand why they dont promote this above all the other commercial museums in Atlanta, which are of dubious quality and overmarketed. My only issue was getting there by train to Buckhead Station then the 110 bus followed by a 10 minute walk- all up about 90 minutes travel from downtown.Well worth it !

Bianca Lloyd-Gomez

I remember visiting here as a child, but there is much more than I remember. The actual center that has exhibits, a gift shop, cafeteria, and an event space. Theres a really cool exhibit on the history of the Olympics and when they came to Atlanta in 1996. They also have the Swan House which is gorgeous inside and out but was most recently filmed for the Hunger Games Trilogy, which is pretty cool. Theres also a farm and some little houses and gardens on the property. You will not make it through these exhibits or the property quickly so plan to at least spend 4-6 hours here. And wear comfortable shoes, theres several miles of walking.

Megan Schmidt

This was a very interesting place to visit! The exhibits were put together very nicely and full of information. The building itself was beautiful and well kept. The grounds were breath taking and so worth sweating your buns off to see. The Swan House was my favorite stop, so picturesque and made you feel like you took a step back in time. My friends favorite part was the farmstead. She enjoyed the actors portraying the family and the animals made it seem so realistic. Overall, such a fun place to stop and visit. Worth every penny. My only disappointment, as a tourist, was the small gift shop.