10,000 Years of Northeast Georgia History
The Northeast Georgia History Center has exhibits and historic structures that span over 10,000 years of the region's history. During your visit, you'll tour a 19th-century cabin once home to Cherokee tribal leader White Path, experience hands-on history through our kid-friendly interactive exhibits, learn little-known stories of the region's past, and get up close to hundreds of artifacts. We can't wait to share this wonderful region's history with you!
Visit Us
322 Academy Street NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
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OPEN
Wednesday-Saturday 10 AM–5 PM
CLOSED
Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays unless we are hosting an event.
Closed Wednesday, November 27th - Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving.
Admission
Members are always free. Join today!
$8 for Adults
$7 Active & Retired military
$7 for Seniors (65 and over)
$6 for students including college students with an ID
Free for Children 5 and under.
For Group Tours of at least 20, please inquire by contacting info@negahc.org.
Our Exhibits & Historic Structures
The White Path Cabin is the 18th century home of the Cherokee tribal leader White Path. The cabin was built c. 1780 near the site of present day Ellijay, Georgia by White Path’s parents. The cabin was relocated onto its current site in 1995 under the direction of Counte Cooley, a descendant of White Path, and of James Mathis.
Inside the White Path Cabin
Our blacksmith shop was discovered by Hoyt Herrin encased in an old frame house on the Travis Moore Home in Gainesville. James Mathis, Sr. had the shop moved to our location to serve as a memorial to Hoyt Herrin and to become a part of our mission of preserving and sharing the history of our unique region. We provide blacksmithing demonstrations in our educational programming and community events.
Blacksmithing Demonstration
The Land of Promise Exhibit: Our main gallery tells the story of the many people who have called our region home. Their story is told in an engaging exhibit of hundreds of artifacts spanning thousands of years, video displays, and our popular interactive Tornado Simulator that depicts the 1936 tornado in Gainesville.
Land of Promise Exhibit
The Frances Mathis and Phil Mathis Folk Art Gallery: We have a fantastic collection of folk art and pottery ranging from traditional examples to those with modern twists on centuries old art forms. This collection includes pottery by the famous Lanier Meaders who was known for his mastery of the face jug art form.
Northeast Georgia Sports Hall of Fame: Learn about the life and successes of local sports legends that have called Northeast Georgia home.
The Northeast Georgia History Center is debuting its last Special Exhibit theme of the N.C. White Photography Collection with historic portraitures of students spanning the 1880s-1950s. "School Days" will feature students from Brenau College, Georgia Baptist Female Seminary, North Georgia Agricultural College, North Georgia College, and Riverside Military Academy. Artifacts like N.C. White's original camera will also be displayed during this exhibit. The Special Exhibit will be on display through 2023. Brought to you by: Jack and Janice Frost Endowment Memorial Park Funeral Homes
The American Freedom Garden is a living tribute to American veterans of the 20th & 21st century. Although they are separated by generations, these veterans share a common, undeniable goal — to valiantly protect our country’s freedoms. The centerpiece of the Freedom Garden is a bronze, life-size statue of five children in a Circle of Freedom, depicting the joy of living in a free America. There is an open space between two of the children, which is an invitation for a visiting child to hold hands with the statue children, thus completing the Circle of Freedom.
Free Family Day Sundays: During the school year, we host free Family Days every first Sunday of the month with living history programs and hands-on activities.
Free Family Day Sundays: During the school year, we host free Family Days every first Sunday of the month with living history programs and hands-on activities.
We provide free Webcasts with historic characters over Zoom for all Georgia educators.
The American Freedom Garden
A Living Tribute
The American Freedom Garden is a living tribute to United States veterans of the 20th & 21st centuries. Although they are separated by generations, these veterans share a common, undeniable goal — to valiantly protect our country’s freedoms. The centerpiece of the American Freedom Garden is a bronze, life-size statue of five children in a Circle of Freedom, depicting the joy of living in a free America. There is an open space between two of the children, which is an invitation for a visiting child to hold hands with the statue children, thus completing the Circle of Freedom.
The History of the American Freedom Garden
“It is important for every citizen of our country to remember all military veterans, regardless of when and where they served. We salute those who gave their lives and those who offered their lives, for both had their role in preserving freedom for each generation.”
John Jacobs Jr.
This beautiful tribute was spearheaded by John Jacobs Jr. and completed in 2007. Twenty-four Georgia granite pillars stand today honoring Veterans and their families from World War I to present day.
Honoring a Veteran in the American Freedom Garden
Families may honor a veteran in the American Freedom Garden with an engraving. Please visit the museum to complete an engraving application.
