Up Close and Personal with the Atlanta Cyclorama!

The Cyclorama depicting Pickett's Charge at the Gettysburg Visitor's Center has become known and beloved nationwide, but did you know that there is also a Cyclorama showing the Battle of Atlanta at the Atlanta History Center? Enjoy this exclusive tour with Gordon Jones and Dr. Chris Mackowski.
This video is part of our Battlefield Tour Series covering Civil War Georgia. View the full playlist here: • Civil War Georgia/Tenn...
The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

[@kiltman1961]

A live in the Atlanta area and I've never been to the Atlanta History Center. Shame on me. It's on the to do list. I have seen the painting when it was at the Grant park location. Very nice video.

[@scottie_2024]

I was honored to work as a consulting curator on this exhibit.

[@justinmiller3754]

I had no idea this painting/exhibit even existed. Just another reason why these videos are such a treasure. They make accessible the inaccessible, and show us new and amazing things that are here for us to see and experience. Thank you for all that you do in preserving and presenting history.

[@Ronaldl2350]

I remember visiting the cyclorama when it was in grant Park. It still amazes me at the detail of it. When I saw it years ago I did not know a fraction of the detail. Thanks for sharing this.

[@lJSMosbyl]

I've seen that magnificent painting many times. Would love to see it in it's new location as well as it restored. It was getting dingy last time I saw it in the building in Grant park. P.s. The Atlanta History Center is a awesome place unto itself.

[@badguy1481]

I remember reading that Milwaukee, WI was the source of many of these Cyclorama's. Many artists from Bavaria came to Milwaukee to ply their trade (in the late 1800's). One reason Milwaukee took on a very German flavor, with German being a second language in Milwaukee until WWI. Of course moving pictures eventually replaced these "wonders" within a very few years. I've seen the one at Gettysburg. Outstanding. Only a few of them left! Great video. Many thanks!

[@ExploringTheAmericanFrontier]

This is an amazing presentation. This cyclorama is Very impressive painting, a truly magnificent piece of art. I did not even know stuff like this did exist! I will have to add this attraction to the list of places that are a must see as I adventure back into the past and history. Good work guys keep up the good work!

[@tommythuntdeer]

Love the Cycloramas! Enjoyed the one at Gettysburg. Thanks for sharing!

[@lizlittle1641]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful and amazing artwork! One day I will have to go see this Cyclorama.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

The historic value of The Cyclorama is obvious but even just as a piece of art, it's impressive.

[@KILLERDOC0826]

I’ve really been enjoying your Georgia battlefield tour videos!! I visited the painting and the exhibit at the history only this past February, it was fantastic! If you guys are interested (and will be down near Macon Ga in the next 2 weeks) the battle of Sunshine Church and Griswoldville will be re-enacted in the town of Clinton (in Gray Ga) on the weekend of April 30-May 1. The Griswoldville battlefield is about 15 miles from the reenactment site. It would be really nice to see you guys here! Thank you for all your work!!

[@jonpage4029]

This is just amazing. It will be on my list next time in Atlanta

[@slimfire5475]

This is just a Fantastic Cyclorama Painting and some interesting artifact at the Museum. I have to see this for my self one day. My ancestor fought and died on the 4th of August 1864 at a battle on the east side of Atlanta. He was with General John M Schofield 23 army corps. Thank you for all the great videos.

[@genes.3285]

I've been to two cycloramas, Stalingrad and Borodino. Both were very impressive.

[@rd9793]

Wow. You like WW2 and Napoleons invasion.

[@h.j.d.2624]

I have dreamt for years and years of replicating the Battle of Atlanta on a scale (15mm) as a diorama. All due this magnificent cyclorama . Maybe one day soon I will start it.

[@richardglady3009]

I saw the Cyclorama in the 1980’s. It was amazing. Facebook will never compare. Thanks for the deeper explanations and thank you very much for this video.

[@cjcornwall]

Thank you all. I really enjoyed this series on the Atlanta Campaign. Very well done, as always.

[@michaelpfister1283]

I have never seen the Atlanta cyclorama, but this reminds me very much of the efforts to preserve the Gettysburg Cyclorama painting. I didn't know there was an Atlanta Cyclorama, and I am MUCH closer to Atlanta than Gettysburg! I am thinking it may be time to plan a trip over that way, to re-visit Kennesaw Mountain, the railroad museum, and the Atlanta History Center. Sounds like a full week. :-)

[@trajan0707]

Growing up in Atlanta, you us to take school trips there, grant park and the Atlanta Zoo, and this was always my favorite one....

[@williamsherman7811]

awesome!!!! i'm from the Eau Claire /Chippewa falls area old Abe is our home town hero

[@MsSasha4444]

What an pleasure to watch this. Great job and thank you! I grew up in Virginia and now live in the hometown of Joshua Chamberlain in Maine and studying the Civil War is an interest. It so happens that I am currently reading about this battle in the amazing Civil War series by Shelby Foote.

[@mattkane5329]

Ever since I was 6, this is a must visit when I go to Atlanta. Been a while, though. I'm 54 and haven't been since it was at Grant Park. That must've been 2015

[@mwt3579]

I remember visiting the Cyclorama at Grant's Park in the early 70s with the recorded narration. Glad to see it's still being maintained.

[@stephen3548]

Great video! I live within the penumbra of the painting, and cannot walk in my neighborhood without feeling the spirits of the brave men who fought and died in this terrible battle. R.I.P. General McPherson.

[@Photograph1974]

Gordon Jones gave this presentation to the Sons of Confederate Veterans reunion group this weekend. It is really an impressive sight to see.

[@skyking6989]

Saw this years and years ago. Love to see it again

[@cainster]

I actually 'rode' (visited) the Atlanta Cyclorama when I was in Cub Scouts at age nine in 1985 in downtown Atlanta. I just remember being in the audience and it seemed like we were moving left to right on a rotating platform. It was one of the most amazing things I had experienced as a kid.

[@spikejonze6182]

This is wonderful. These cycloramas are so interesting and I learned so much from this video thank you!!

[@shiningstaer]

OH HECK YA!

[@nathanfisher1826]

Beautiful never seen one before

[@kaycox19]

AWESOME!

[@robbrown1918]

My grandmother moved to Atlanta in the 1920s from a small mill village east of the city. She remembered visiting the Cyclorama as a young woman and looking down at the diorama (at the base of the painting) and seeing rats!

[@philiphales2109]

The Cyclorama is awesome, however, the new presentation at the AHC focuses on the historiography of the painting-and the painting as historical memory-rather than the Battle of Atlanta itself.

[@patrickmccrary6233]

I was there recently along with a return trip to the Kennesaw Battlefield. The Cyclorama was somewhat of a disappointment for me. The painting is great; but I expected more explanation of the action. As a kid; I remember sitting on revolving seating with spotlighting and a recorded explanation. Like you stated; it's now more about the painting rather than the battle. I felt that the DuBose Exhibit (Turning Point) was one of the best I've seen and kinda expected to see some video footage from you. Tons of artifacts including the ordinance collection, original supply wagon, and personal effects of "shot pouch" Walker were on display. I joined ABT recently because of your Chickamauga and Atlanta Campaign coverage. Your videos explain the topography and troop movements so well; along with the expert commentary. I also thought the Gettysburg coverage last summer was fantastic. Keep up the good work.

[@philiphales2109]

@@patrickmccrary6233 -The DuBose collection is absolutely incredible. The AHC acquired the George C Wray collection of Confederate weaponry and artifacts in 2014, and it makes the AHC one of the best collections of Civil War artifacts. The Wray exhibit-“Confederate Odyssey”-was on display throughout the summer and fall of 2014. Hopefully, the AHC will be able to permanently display it. Gen. WHT Walker was the great great uncle of a friend of mine. If you are interested in the general’s life, the book “To the Manner Born” is an excellent study of the general.

[@jeffbrewer8810]

The presentation is a disappointment because it, as so many others around the country, have staff and historians that have had the “Shelby Foote” scared out of them by woke insanity. Are we going to be a nation or not? That is the question. Do any of us seriously think the “American Fighting Spirit” will some how manifest itself when needed in a nation of young men that have been taught how evil their ancestors were? The world is a dangerous place, especially these days. We need to be reinforcing American history, not obscuring it and definitely not rewriting it.

[@valentinius62]

The wokesters are afraid that the "wrong message" will get out. There's an article about the Cyclorama in The Atlantic...read it and you'll see what I mean. So basically they're concerned that people will see it and get the impression that the Confederates won the battle...or they seem too noble...or something. I'm not really sure WTH they're so worried about. They accuse Southerners of constantly trying to re fight the Civil War when it's actually them who won't let sleeping dogs lie. That ideology thrives on projecting.

[@thomaswiseman1171]

Well said.

[@neilcarey689]

Fascinating video. I've seen the massive cyclorama paintings at Waterloo (1815), Innsbruck (1809), Istanbul (1453) and Gettysburg (1863). All are stunning but what's different about Atlanta is the middle level view at the battle ground level including those mannikins. Still looking to see the Cycloramas for Borodino and i think there's also one in Dresden.

[@noelp4916]

Brilliant !! Thank you. 🇦🇺

[@pbcanal1]

I seem to recall when it was at Grant Park you sat in a auditorium that revolved and the scenes where highlighted to the narration. Is it now a walk around?

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Yes.

[@cmdrflake]

In one of the mansions an infamous fictional figure was “rogering” one Scarlet O’Hara in her bedroom. Col.Harry Flashman! 😸

[@stevendaniel8126]

First saw the Cyclorama in 1955, at the old swimming pool and attached elephant house at the zoo........ Cost a quarter to get in.

[@jerroldbates355]

Very cool!

[@daytonlights-peterwine468]

For a time, Dayton, Ohio, had one: "Gem City Jewel: The Battle of Gettysburg Cyclorama visits Dayton By Curt Dalton Oct 29, 2014 Dayton was once the home of the “Battle of Gettysburg” Cyclorama, a 360 degree circular canvas painting that depicted “Pickett’s Charge,” a battle of the Civil War. The exhibit was hung in a 50 foot high, 16-sided wooden rotunda near the National Soldier’s Home. The illusion was completed with a foreground of real cannons, stone walls and fences jutting from the painting. The exhibit opened in 1886 and lasted for four decades, but eventually could not compete with the popularity of motion pictures. In 1927, the Gettysburg Cyclorama shut its doors, the building was razed and its canvases placed in storage for possible future use. Unfortunately, a year later they were destroyed when the warehouse where they were being housed caught fire. All that remains is the street where it was located, Gettysburg Avenue." If I ever win the lottery, and have money to travel, I'd love to visit both the one in Atlanta, and the one in Gettysburg.

[@charlesd6459]

Another great interesting video from these professionals, it’s a true shame no Confederates are shown in the painting. Should consider a video of the carving on Stone Mountain even though it’s been totally neglected by not maintaining it over the years, but it’s still there!

[@2011Matz]

I never saw the cyclorama, but I had seen sections of it in the American Heritage books when I was a kid in the 1960s. One thing that has alway struck me, even as a 10 year old, is the spacing of the railroad ties, which is way too large.

[@bigsarge2085]

👍

[@PathfinderHistoryTravel]

26:09 There’s a 101st Airborne patch? What’s the connection? Edit: There must be a connection between the War Eagle depicted in the painting and the inspiration for the 101st Eagle. Interesting.

[@toddtheiste5068]

Yes, Old Abe was the subject when the101st designed their divisional patch.

[@michaelpatterson2955]

I wish I could have interjected some thoughts at times in the narration. Many of us would resent the dismissive slight of how the painting, housed in Grant Park, was viewed as "that Confederate THING." It was so much more than that. I first visited it in the seventh grade, and I well remember that group of young people staring at the painting, some of whom were in tears. So little is said about the Confederates depicted in the painting. They have only a relative few sentences whereas most of the narration is built around the painting being made in Milwaukee, which it was -- but nothing is said about how it ended up in Atlanta. The Grant Park experience was, for no doubt millions of visitors through the years, a moving, unforgettable journey into the past. Why is nothing said about most of these Confederates being too poor to own slaves, even if they wanted them? Yet due to modern "woke" interpretations, the War was only about slavery. How sad. Many of us will never renounce our allegiance to our Confederate forbears, nor should we. I really would like to know how much politically correct pressure was exerted to either destroy or remove it from its home in Grant Park. I urge you gentlemen to honor the men of BOTH sides -- heaven knows, there were heroes and villains aplenty in both camps. But please don't paint such a one-sided picture. I appreciate the care and expertise that was exercised in its placement, but I plead with you -- don't forget the sacrifices of these men, many of whom were fighting for their homes and their understanding of States Rights in its constitutional context. I believe you will draw many more visitors if you will simply pay homage and due respect to the brave men on both sides. Thank you.

[@markmodry939]

Excellent Atlanta campaign series. Look forward to every episode. Could Chris talk less please. He tends to run on with useless "information."

[@charlesbenedict743]

I like Chris talking-- very informatve!

[@thomaswiseman1171]

This Gordon Jones is full-blown woke warrior full of all the watchwords that go with that ilk. Why doesn't the American Battlefield Trust hire some true Southern historians to give the other perspective?

[@thomaswiseman1171]

Why don’t the American Battlefield Trust take on some of this woke interpretation?

[@brandonlollis1506]

Yankee propaganda.should be taken up north where it can be appreciated

[@MsSasha4444]

What an pleasure to watch this. Great job and thank you! I grew up in Virginia and now live in the hometown of Joshua Chamberlain in Maine and studying the Civil War is an interest. It so happens that I am currently reading about this battle in the amazing Civil War series by Shelby Foote.