Around the Square: Visiting the Marietta History Center with Honest Eyes

The Building’s History

The museum is housed in the Kennesaw House, one of Marietta’s oldest buildings. Built in 1845 as a cotton warehouse, it quickly became a key part of the city’s story. By the mid-19th century, it was converted into the Fletcher House Hotel, welcoming travelers as the Western & Atlantic Railroad brought new traffic into town.

During the Civil War, the building was commandeered and turned into a Confederate hospital. Later, it played a role in the legendary Great Locomotive Chase of 1862—when Union raiders tried to disrupt Confederate supply lines by stealing a train. Union General William Tecumseh Sherman even used the building as his headquarters during parts of the Atlanta Campaign.

Over the decades, the building was repurposed several times, surviving fires, war, and the city’s rapid growth. By the late 20th century, the city recognized its historic value, and it was eventually transformed into what we now know as the Marietta History Center (formerly the Marietta Museum of History). Today, the Kennesaw House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a living time capsule.

What’s Inside

The Marietta History Center tells the story of Cobb County through several galleries:

• General History Gallery: Native American heritage, early industries like gold mining and textiles, and local businesses such as Bell Aircraft.

• Military Gallery: Civil War artifacts and stories, plus displays covering later American conflicts.

• Home Life Gallery: Furniture, clothing, and household items from the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Special exhibits: Including a space dedicated to the Great Locomotive Chase, plus rotating displays on local culture and history.

Addressing Race and Inequality

Unlike some local attractions that focus on nostalgia (such as the Gone with the Wind Museum), the Marietta History Center has made visible efforts to include African American voices and reckon with difficult history:

• “Marietta 1899: Color Captured in Black & White” – Showcases historic photography of both Black and white residents in daily life.

• “Divine 9” Exhibit – Celebrates historically Black fraternities and sororities and their leadership role in the community.

• Black History Month Programming – Hands-on activities and storytelling events for families.

• Films and Exhibits – Covering local segregation history, such as Lemon Street High School, and even larger themes like the Holocaust to connect struggles for justice across time.

It’s not perfect, but the center is clearly more intentional than many small-town history museums in trying to tell a fuller, more inclusive story.

Admission & Hours

• Adults: $10

• Seniors & Students: $7

• Kids under 5 & Active Military: Free

• Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed Sunday, Monday, and major holidays)

Final Thoughts

The Marietta History Center is a must-visit if you’re creating a “real history tour” of Metro Atlanta. It doesn’t just showcase artifacts—it works to tell the broader story of the people who lived, struggled, and built Marietta.

Pair it with a visit to the Gone with the Wind Museum, and you’ll notice a stark contrast: one leans on myth and nostalgia, the other works harder to layer in context. Both are part of Marietta’s story, but only one helps us wrestle with the complexities of history.

Want more guides to historic spots in Kennesaw, Marietta, Acworth, and Northwest Georgia? Visit me at www.CasitaMeansHome.com.