Georgia Historical Society

Less than two weeks away! Join the Georgia Historical Society in Atlanta on October 14 for a special conversation about how civic engagement changed America in the 20th century. Dr. Kevin Gaines, the Julian Bond Professor of Civil Rights and Social Justice at the University of Virginia, and Dr. Stan Deaton, the Dr. Elaine B. Andrews Distinguished Historian at GHS, will explore how the right to vote and the meaning of citizenship expanded and evolved in the years following World War II. Be part of this timely conversation about participation, citizenship, and the history we all share. Wednesday, October 14 | 7:00 p.m. Jimmy Carter Presidential Library | Atlanta Free and open to the public In partnership with UVA Club of Atlanta Learn more and register to attend: https://lnkd.in/eP6V5YGE #GeorgiaHistory #AmericanHistory #CivicEngagement #America250 #AtlantaEvents #AtlantaGA #UVAAtlanta #HistoryBelongsToUsAll

Meet Shan Cooper and Doug Hertz, the 2027 Georgia Trustees! The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to announce that these two distinguished leaders will receive the highest honor the State of Georgia can confer. A business and civic leader, Cooper is the founder and CEO of Journey Forward Strategies and a former Lockheed Martin executive. Hertz is chairman and CEO of United Distributors and founder of Camp Twin Lakes, which serves children and adults with special needs. Their leadership and service reflect the guiding principle of the Georgia Trustees, “Not for Self, but for Others.” Reestablished by GHS and the Governor’s Office in 2008, the honor recognizes Georgians whose accomplishments and community service embody the ideals of Georgia’s founding Trustees. Cooper and Hertz will be inducted at our Trustees Gala in Savannah on April 24, 2027. Learn more about the Georgia Trustees: https://lnkd.in/gTbXABQT #GeorgiaHistory #GeorgiaHistoricalSociety #GeorgiaTrustees #HistoryBelongsToUsAll

What moments unexpectedly changed the course of American history? During An Evening with Alan Taylor, Dr. Alan Taylor was asked about the “inadvertent hinge points” that have shaped who we are as Americans. His answer? The War of 1812. Watch the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/emVtFsYy Learn more about the War of 1812 with Today in Georgia History: https://lnkd.in/eQdekxQD #AmericanHistory #AlanTaylor #WarOf1812 #TodayInGeorgiaHistory #America250 #HistoryBelongsToUsAll

The Extraordinary Life of Lillian Smith Stan’s guest this week on Off the Deaton Path is author and historian Keri Leigh Merritt, discussing her new book, An Inconvenient Woman: The Extraordinary Life of Lillian Smith, the Southerner Who Defied Jim Crow America (St. Martin's Press, 2026). Smith, born in 1897, was a white Southern woman living in the Jim Crow South who defied all stereotypes: she passionately championed racial equality and integration while living openly with her partner, Paula, at their home atop Old Screamer Mountain in Clayton, Georgia. Best known as the author of Strange Fruit (1944) and Killers of the Dream (1949), she continued to fight for both civil and human rights—all while receiving death threats—until her death in 1966. Listen at https://lnkd.in/gCyU2M7m. #GeorgiaHistory #CivilRights #claytonga #JimCrow #USHistory

The Home Depot’s history is now marked in Atlanta.   The Georgia Historical Society dedicated a new historical marker recognizing The Home Depot through the Georgia Business History Initiative.   Held at The Home Depot Store Support Center, the dedication brought together representatives from GHS and The Home Depot, including co-founder Arthur M. Blank.   The marker tells the story of The Home Depot’s growth from its Georgia beginnings and its pioneering role in transforming the home improvement industry.   The Home Depot is the 29th company recognized through the Georgia Business History Initiative, which uses historical markers and educational resources to share the stories of businesses that have helped shape Georgia’s economy and history.   Learn more about the new marker and explore the Georgia Business History Initiative: https://lnkd.in/gHSV9Cay   #GeorgiaHistory #TheHomeDepot #GeorgiaBusinessHistory #HistoricalMarkers #AtlantaHistory #HistoryBelongsToUsAll

Get to know Dr. Kevin Gaines before he joins us in Atlanta on October 14 for a special conversation on how civic engagement changed America in the 20th century. A leading scholar of African-American history, civil rights, politics, and culture, Gaines is the Julian Bond Professor of Civil Rights and Social Justice at the University of Virginia. He is the author of several books, has lectured across the country and internationally, and has written for national media outlets,  including The New York Times. On October 14, Gaines will join Dr. Stan Deaton, the Dr. Elaine B. Andrews Distinguished Historian at GHS, to explore how civic engagement changed America in the years following World War II and how the right to vote and the meaning of citizenship have expanded and evolved over time. Join us at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library at 7:00 p.m. for this timely conversation about civic engagement and the history we all share. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more and register now: https://lnkd.in/eP6V5YGE #GeorgiaHistory #AmericanHistory #CivicEngagement #America250 #AtlantaEvents #AtlantaGA #HistoryBelongsToUsAll

Missed An Evening with Alan Taylor? The full program is now available to watch online. Watch two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian Alan Taylor be inducted as the 2026 Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Teaching Fellow, followed by an engaging conversation about his career exploring the people, conflicts, and ideas that shaped early America. Watch the full program here: https://lnkd.in/eii-3b9G Whether you joined us in Savannah or are watching for the first time, we invite you to continue exploring the history we share, because history belongs to us all. Major program support by Delta Air Lines. #GeorgiaHistory #AmericanHistory #AlanTaylor #America250 #HistoryBelongsToUsAll

We are excited to announce that Dr. Thomas Aiello of Valdosta State University has been awarded the 2026 Malcolm Bell, Jr. and Muriel Barrow Bell Award for Return of the King: The Rebirth of Muhammad Ali and the Rise of Atlanta, published by the University Of Nebraska Press. Yesterday, GHS President and CEO Dr. W. Todd Groce presented the award to Dr. Aiello during his book talk, hosted by the University of Georgia Griffin Campus at the Bailey-Tebault House in Griffin. Return of the King explores Muhammad Ali’s 1970 return to boxing in Atlanta and the people, politics, and city that made the historic comeback possible. The Bell Award is GHS’s highest publication award and is presented annually to the best book on Georgia history published in the previous year. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eACTqZHQ #GeorgiaHistory #BellAward #MuhammadAli #AtlantaHistory #HistoryBelongsToUsAll

On September 10, we welcomed two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Alan Taylor to Savannah and inducted him as the 2026 Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Teaching Fellow. Established in honor of legendary University of Georgia football coach and historian Vincent J. Dooley, the fellowship recognizes historians whose work has enhanced the public’s understanding of the past. Following the induction, Dr. Taylor joined us for an engaging conversation about the people, conflicts, and ideas that shaped early America. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special occasion and spent the evening exploring the history that belongs to us all as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Watch the full recording and learn more about the Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Fellows Program and its past Fellows: https://lnkd.in/eii-3b9G Major program support by Delta Air Lines. #GeorgiaHistory #SavannahGA #AmericanHistory #AlanTaylor #America250 #HistoryBelongsToUsAll

How did the right to vote and the meaning of citizenship expand and evolve in the years following World War II? Join the Georgia Historical Society in Atlanta on October 14 for a special conversation with Dr. Kevin Gaines, the Julian Bond Professor of Civil Rights and Social Justice at the University of Virginia, and Dr. Stan Deaton, the Dr. Elaine B. Andrews Distinguished Historian at GHS, as part of our ongoing commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Together, Gaines and Deaton will explore how civic engagement changed America in the years following World War II and how the right to vote and the meaning of citizenship have expanded and evolved over time. Wednesday, October 14 | 7:00 p.m. Jimmy Carter Presidential Library | Atlanta Free and open to the public In partnership with UVA Club of Atlanta Save the date and register here: https://lnkd.in/eP6V5YGE Because history belongs to us all. #AmericanHistory #CivicEngagement #America250 #AtlantaEvents #AtlantaGA #HistoryBelongsToUsAll