From taking a roving art tour to visiting the home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., these are the best ways to honor Black History Month in Atlanta.
As the cradle of Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. and the metropolis with the second large smuggled population in the United States , Atlanta takesBlack story Monthseriously . But while Black History Month is officially observed during February , Atlanta celebrates Black story year round .
Our metropolis is abode to place like the Center for Civil and Human Rights , MLK ’s National Historic Park , legendarymuseums , and much more . So if you ’re in ATL , here are some ways to get the most out of Black History Month by visiting museums and take dim story term of enlistment of our dandy city .
Black History Museums in Atlanta
Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
DowntownSince it opened its door in 1996 , the Spelman College of Fine Art has keep to revolutionise the shoal ’s surrounding community , as well as the general public , through artwork by and about woman of African descent . Much of the oeuvre foreground there are from established artists , but the museum also showcases the creativity of Black women that are still in the former phase of their artistic production careers . Faith Ringgold , Joyce J. Scott , and Mickalene Thomas , among several others , have held exhibitions here , making this place one of the most sought - after museums in not only Atlanta , but the entire land .
Atlanta History Center
BuckheadThe Atlanta History Center is known for boasting 33 acres of historic house and garden and prominent permanent exposition like theAtlanta ‘ 96,Cyclorama , Atlanta in 50 Objects , and more . The museum also presently has a few Black history - themed exhibitions on view . Those interested in an immersive encyclopedism experience can check out online content for free on AHC ’s site , and if you bring down in - person , access to both theGatheround : Stories of Atlantaand theVeteran Voicesexhibitions are both include in admission .
Apex Museum
Sweet AuburnLike its namesake suggests , the Apex Museum is one of the top Black account museum in Atlanta , and for added cultural significance , it ’s stationed right on Auburn Avenue , flavor pat between two important Black literary resources — theAuburn Avenue Research LibraryandFor Keeps Bookstore . The Apex Museum was first opened all the way back in 1978 , making it the oldest Black history museum in Atlanta . Do n’t permit its exterior fool away you . When walking by the Killer Mike - approved creation , you may wonder if such a small entrance can lead to a worthwhile museum , but upon entering , you ’ll come face to face with a riches of knowledge and insightful data about African Americans and the Black diaspora .
The King Center
Old Fourth WardThere is no way to put this guide together — or tell the history of Atlanta ’s history — without mentioning The King Center and the nascency dwelling of Martin Luther King , Jr. yield the ethnical meaning of MLK and his lifelong ties to Atlanta , the immortalized Civil Rights Movement leader played an integral theatrical role in Atlanta ’s Black History . In addition to featuring the Freedom Hall exhibition space , the King Center houses the beautiful marble crypt that serves as the final resting post for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife , Coretta Scott King , and is within walk aloofness to the home where King was born .
Trap Music Museum
WestsideFor a tour of Atlanta ’s hip - hop prospect , maneuver over to the Trap Music Museum in what is called “ The Bluff . ” In addition to having fun activities like an escape way and a euphony - fueled well-chosen 60 minutes , the Trap Music Museum preserves an incredible collection of Atlanta Hip - Hop memorabilia and illustrates the progression of the Atlanta - birthed subgenre of rap from its early stagecoach with artists like T.I. , Gucci Mane , and Jeezy to modern-day torchbearers like Future and Lil Baby . As evidenced by many of the aforementioned artists ’ involvement in the 2020 protests , hip - hops history is enlace with Black history , so check that you make a visit to the Trap Music Museum sometime this Black History Month .
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
DowntownDr . Martin Luther King Jr. articulate , “ Injustice anywhere is a threat to DoJ everywhere . ” That ’s why the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is such an important Atlanta drawing card . In addition to document the iniquity against African - Americans with several exhibitions throughout the year , the National Center for Civil and Human Rights has lasting exhibition that chronicle the Civil Rights Movement . The NCCHR also has a litany of Black History Month programming that students , younker , adults , and everyone in between can get at all February long .
High Museum of Art
MidtownAlthough many of us drop Black History Month reflecting on retiring decades and era , it ’s imperative that we all remember that Black History is made every single day . That ’s why a sojourn to the High Museum of Art is absolutely mandatory this February . Current exhibitions feature the employment of Sonya Clark and an showing calledHear Me Now . features sixty ceramic objective created by enslaved African Americans in Edgefield , South Carolina , in the decades before the Civil War .
Hammonds House
West EndHammonds House Museum boast intimately 500 work dating from the mid-19th C by artists from the US , Africa , and the Caribbean . What ’s coolheaded about this place is that it ’s an actual star sign , allow for visitors a tactual sensation of consolation and consolation . If you ’re a fan of creative person such as Romare Bearden , Lonnie Holley , Charly Palmer , or Shanequa Gay , their works have all been demonstrate here .
Black History Tours in Atlanta
Civil Bikes Tour
The Mural Walk
Various locationsIn four unlike neighborhoods in Atlanta , The Mural Walk feed visitors the opportunity to take in fine artistry and brook Black creative person , while learning a little something about ignominious history along the elbow room . deposit in historic neighborhood like the West End and Reynoldstown , these large - scale murals also propose beautiful way to explore the city .
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Photo courtesy of Spelman College
Photo courtesy of the Trap Museum
Photo courtesy of The High Museum of Art
Civil Bikes
