Past Exhibits

Avondale Estates, The Haven of Health and Happiness (August 2021 – June 2025)

This exhibit explored the history of Avondale Estates and brings to light details that were forgotten or simply left out of the city’s narrative.

Avondale Estates, Georgia, was established in 1924. Originally called Ingleside, Avondale developed quickly from mostly farmland into a “home lovers paradise” that was opened to new residents by 1925. The developer, George F. Willis, planned for a quaint “Old English” city with beautiful homes flanking a picturesque town center. It was also developed as an intentional “Whites Only” exclusive enclave, mirroring thousands of towns across the U.S.

DeKalb’s COVID-19 Chronicles (2020)

We asked members of the community to send in their photos from the Covid-19 pandemic. Images featured in this mini-exhibition vary from empty grocery store shelves to gardens and home improvement projects.

Silk & Stitch: An Exploration of Embellishment in Fashion (July 2019 – September 2020)

Through garments and accessories pulled from our collection and from generous outside sources, Silk & Stitch provides a glimpse into specific embellishing techniques and applications utilized in late nineteenth through mid-twentieth century women’s fashion.

Check out the online exhibit featuring all the pieces displayed here.

Deep Roots in DeKalb: The Flat Rock Story of Resilience (February 2019 – June 2025)

Believed to be one of the oldest African American communities in Georgia, Flat Rock was founded and strengthened by individuals who wanted to ensure the safety and success of African Americans following the aftermath of the Civil War. The community of Flat Rock thrived in part because of the immense communal bond of its citizens as well as the selflessness of its leaders. Theodore A. Bryant, Sr., ensured the development of Flat Rock by purchasing nearby land and distributing it to families in the area. This gesture allowed for the citizens of Flat Rock to build a strong foundation of support as well as ensure the safety and well-being of the community. Despite consistent animosity and prejudice, the people of Flat Rock remained strong, resilient, and united.

Reclaimed by Nature (February 2017 – May 2022)

This photography exhibit, by Virginie Drujon-Kippelen, featured historic and contemporary photos of a former granite quarry at what is now the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. These quarries were historically an important part of DeKalb County’s economy. Lithonia granite was used in paving and construction projects, including the Historic DeKalb Courthouse. In the 1970s the Davidson family donated over 500 acres of this land to DeKalb County for conservation and preservation. Since this land is no longer quarried, it is slowly being reclaimed by nature, although traces of its industrial past remain.

Decorative Arts from the Permanent Collection (May 2016 – July 2023)

This exhibit featured a sampling of pieces from the DeKalb History Center’s holdings, acquired over the nearly 70 years since the organization was established. With emphasis on 19th and 20th century American-made furniture, we present textiles, pottery, and framed art that are uniquely DeKalb.

Tears and Curses: A Human Focus on the Civil War (July 2014 – December 2018)

This exhibit presented an intimate opportunity to view a small portion of our Civil War collection and consider the impact of the war on a local scale. We presented artifacts with personal meaning to help you feel the point of view of an individual. The title is from a letter in our collection written by Private Dewitt C. Morgan to a woman who may have been a sweetheart. Angry at the Union forces, he wrote, “They sew tears and curses – they shall reap infamy and overthrow.”

The Mid-Century Ranch House: Hip and Historic! (August 2013 – May 2019)

House For Sale: 101 East Court Square, Decatur. It’s 1960. Meet your modern dream ranch house! Perfect for Barbie, Ken and babies. This red brick number is a cherry; complete with carport, pink powder room, and knotty pine paneling complemented by nifty chartreuse walls. The front yard is darling, the porch has fab ironwork and your back yard bash will have room to spread. This house is so aced that it will fly off the market.

Highlights From the Guy Hayes Collection: Food, Fun & Fashion in the Modern Era (May 2012 – November 2016)

This exhibit showcased a small selection of black and white photographs from the Hayes collection and provided a unique view of food trends, clothing styles and recreational diversions of the 1950s and 1960s. Guy Hayes was a professional freelance photographer from 1944 – 1983. He graduated from Clarkston High School and served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he settled in Avondale Estates. Hayes was a regular contributor to The Atlanta Journal, The Atlanta Constitution and The DeKalb News/Sun. Over 14,000 of his original negatives were donated to the History Center in 1984. Although very little documentation accompanied this collection, Hayes’ artistic work reveals a prolific talent with an incisive eye. Hayes’ work included current events or staged shoots to illustrate stories as requested by these newspapers. This resulted in a lack of diversity of the Georgians represented during these decades. As Georgia was segregated in its public arenas, so too were its newspapers and their readers.

Dairies in DeKalb (June 2010 – March 2016)

Funding for the Dairy exhibit was provided in part by proceeds from the 2009 Great Decatur Craft Beer Festival.

Visit Rosebud again! Our exhibit focuses on the history of dairy farming in DeKalb County in the 20th century. The boll weevil’s attack on cotton farming led to the rise of dairy farms across DeKalb. The one-room exhibit contains colorful signs, artifacts such as a route book and milk bottles, and even includes a life-sized replica of Rosebud, the famous cow mascot for Mathis Dairy.

Artrospective (May 2013 – May 2014)

The Decatur Arts Alliance marks the milestone 25th anniversary of the Decatur Arts Festival with Artrospective. This exhibit highlights the history of the event which grew from humble local beginnings to become a wildly popular regional festival. The collection includes festival posters and logos, T-shirts, press clippings, and loads of festival memorabilia. A collection of photos taken on the square in the early 1990s provides newcomers and visitors a unique perspective on the evolution of the city.

Scottdale Mills (May 2012 – March 2013)

Scottdale Mills, founded by George Washington Scott, opened in 1901 and was a vital part of the manufacturing landscape of DeKalb County until its closure in 1982. The mill provided employment for the surrounding community, as well as a store and a cemetery. The items in this exhibit include tools and signage from the shop floor, historical photographs, original documents and samples of the products made at the mill.

The Great Speckled Bird – The Turbulent Sixties in Atlanta, 1968-1976 (May 2011 – December 2012)

An expanded 40th anniversary exhibit of the South’s underground newspaper.

The Bird burst upon the scene in the midst of national upheaval and chronicled turbulent times in Atlanta from 1968-1976. The country was polarized by the Vietnam War and struggles against discrimination at home. A growing “in-your-face” youth culture with strange clothes, hair, music, drugs and a wholesale rejection of middle-class values bewildered or angered many in the older generation. From the first issue, which castigated Atlanta icon Ralph McGill for his support of the war, there was never a doubt whose side The Bird was on. For over eight years it was the “voice of the voiceless” – African Americans fighting Jim Crow in the South and institutionalized racism in the North; striking garbage and farm workers; Vietnamese peasants being slaughtered by American bombs; women taking control of their bodies; students demanding meaningful educations; and young people seeking new ways to live. At its height, with a circulation around 22,000, The Bird was the most widely-read weekly paper in Georgia. This exhibit from The Bird creators was enhanced through artifacts and clothing from the time period.

Community Champions (October 2011 – June 2012)

The DeKalb History Center, in cooperation with The Champion Newspaper, hosted a temporary exhibit highlighting 20 Years of Community Champions. As part of their 20 year anniversary, The Champion recognized newsmakers who have made positive contributions to DeKalb County during this time period. This exhibit detailed the important contributions from these Champions by highlighting their accomplishments and achievements and included community leaders from all walks of life. The exhibit showcased personal items and memorabilia from many of the honorees.

Attic Treasures; Memories of the Carr Family (October 2010 – August 2011)

This exhibit provided a glimpse into the life of a prominent DeKalb County household from the 1920s to the 1940s. H. J. Carr founded a construction firm which built numerous local landmarks such as the Biltmore Hotel and the Crum and Forster building. H. J. and Bonnie Carr started their family in Druid Hills and later moved into the fieldstone house he constructed, now known as the Houston Mill House. Upon moving onto the Houston Mill property, he restored the historic mill to working condition. Highlights of the exhibit included evening wear from the 1920s and 30s, details about the youngest daughter’s wartime wedding and a case of period evening bags.