The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to announce that the highly-anticipated renovation and expansion of the GHS Research Center will begin soon. This much-needed work will enable GHS to continue to fulfill its mission to collect, examine, and teach Georgia history for generations to come.
 
“We are excited to embark on this new chapter in the long history of our institution,” said Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society. “We are grateful to Delta Air Lines, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and all of our donors who made this renovation and expansion possible, and look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Georgia Historical Society Research Center in 2020.”

Built in 1876, Hodgson Hall is the centerpiece of the Research Center and one of the greatest treasures of the GHS collection. This architectural masterpiece houses an impressive and unparalleled collection of Georgia history including more than 5 million manuscripts, photographs, architectural drawings, rare and non-rare books, maps, portraits, and artifacts. This renovation is necessary for GHS to ensure the future of Hodgson Hall and expand our ability to collect, preserve, and make available new materials for research and study.

In order to prepare for this once-in-a-generation renovation and expansion project, the GHS Research Center will be closed to the public beginning November 22, 2018, with an anticipated reopening in the Fall of 2020.

Please note that GHS online finding aids, digital image catalog, and other electronic resources will continue to be available on our website throughout the renovation.

Please note also that the GHS administrative offices will remain open during this period. All public programming, including lectures, special events, historical marker dedications, school programs, teacher training, and the signature events of the annual Georgia History Festival and Trustees Gala will not be affected by the closure.

“While we understand that this closure will cause some inconvenience for the thousands of researchers we serve each year, we hope everyone will be patient with us as we complete the process,”added Groce. “It is for you and the future of our state and its history that we have undertaken this major capital project. Once it is completed GHS will be able to offer the people we serve an even better research experience and provide even better preservation and access to our unparalleled archival and library collection for generations to come.”

GHS will partner with architects Lynch & Associates and JTVS Construction on the renovation and expansion.

Additionally, GHS received a $500,000 matching grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The grant is one of the first awards made under NEH’s new Infrastructure and Capacity-Building Challenge Grant program, which will support infrastructure projects at museums, libraries, and colleges throughout the United States.