Georgia history from A to Z continues here with towns from Fort Oglethorpe to Rome: a Cherokee leader’s riverside home, the Civil War battlefield at Resaca, Emory’s birthplace in Oxford, Salzburger Ebenezer and Henry Ford’s Richmond Hill on the coast.
Fort Oglethorpe
6th Cavalry exhibits at the Fort Oglethorpe Welcome Center
The 6th Cavalry Museum closed in 2023, and its collection on the “Fighting Sixth,” stationed here from 1919 to 1942, is now shown at the town’s welcome center on the old post parade ground. Free. Open Wed and Fri noon to 5 p.m., Thu noon to 8 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10 Barnhardt Cir., Fort Oglethorpe. Official site
Oxford
Old Church and Kitty’s Cottage
Old Church (1841) was the first chapel of Emory College. Behind it stands Kitty’s Cottage, built in 1842 for Catherine “Miss Kitty” Andrew Boyd, an enslaved woman whose story became part of the 1844 split of the Methodist Church. Tours by arrangement. Wesley St., Oxford. 770-787-3868. Official site
Oxford College of Emory University
Emory University began here in 1836, and the tree-shaded campus keeps many historic buildings. The Oxford Historic District around it has antebellum homes, and the city cemetery holds graves of Confederate soldiers who died in campus buildings used as hospitals during the Civil War. Oxford.
Perry
Perry Historic Walking and Driving Tour
A self-guided tour of historic homes and sites in downtown Perry. Pick up a guide at the Perry visitor center, open Mon to Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Perry City Hall, 808 Carroll St., Perry. Official site
Pine Mountain
King Wehadkee Covered Bridge
An 1890 covered bridge built by George King, son of Horace King, that stood at Callaway Gardens for nearly 60 years. It moved to LaGrange in 2022 and now stands free to walk through at Mulberry Street Cemetery, beside Horace King's grave, on The Thread trail.
Rabun Gap
Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum
A 2-foot-gauge locomotive, passenger car and caboose built by Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School students, plus artifacts from the Tallulah Falls Railway, which ran from Cornelia to Franklin, N.C., until 1961. It opens seasonally, so check before visiting. U.S. 441 at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, Rabun Gap. Official site
Resaca
Resaca Battlefield Historic Site
The May 1864 Battle of Resaca was the first major battle of the Atlanta Campaign. Gordon County’s park has trails and interpretive signs; nearby Resaca Confederate Cemetery was the first Confederate cemetery in Georgia. Free; open daily (7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April to October, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. November to March). 183 Resaca Lafayette Rd., Resaca. 706-602-4435. Official site
Riceboro
Geechee Kunda Cultural Arts Center & Museum
A living museum of Gullah Geechee art, textiles, tools and crafts. It has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic with no reopening announced, so call before you visit. 622 Ways Temple Rd., Riceboro. 912-231-7583. Official site
Richland
Richland Depot Rail Museum
The town’s circa-1890 railroad depot, restored as City Hall, a welcome center and a small railroad museum. Open weekdays. Richland.
Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill History Museum
Exhibits on Henry Ford’s years in Richmond Hill and the area’s history, in the Ford-era kindergarten building. Open Tue to Sat 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; paid admission. 11460 Ford Ave., Richmond Hill. 912-756-3697. Official site
Rincon
Georgia Salzburger Society Museum
The story of the Salzburgers who settled Ebenezer in 1734, beside Jerusalem Lutheran Church, built of brick in 1769. Museum open Saturdays 3 to 5 p.m. or by appointment. 2980 Ebenezer Rd., Rincon. 912-754-7001. Official site
Ringgold
Old Stone Church Museum
An 1850 stone church that served as a Civil War hospital, now the Catoosa County Historical Society museum. Free. Open Fri and Sat 1 to 4 p.m.; call to confirm. 41 Catoosa Pkwy., Ringgold. 706-935-5232. Official site
Rome
Chieftains Museum / Major Ridge Home
The home of Cherokee leader Major Ridge on the Oostanaula River, a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Open Wed to Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 501 Riverside Pkwy. NE, Rome. 762-327-6124. Official site
Oak Hill & the Martha Berry Museum
Martha Berry’s home and gardens on the Berry College campus, with a free museum on the founding of the Berry Schools. Open Mon to Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; paid house tours. 24 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Rome. 706-368-6789. Official site
More Georgia historic sites: Millen to Newnan (previous), Sandersville to Savannah (next), or browse by county: A to K and M to W.
Sources we checked
Facts in this guide were checked against the agencies and operators that run these places:
- Fort Oglethorpe Welcome Center – 6th Cavalry collection
- City of Oxford: Old Church
- Gordon County: Resaca Battlefield Historic Site
- Georgia Salzburger Society
- Catoosa County Historical Society: Old Stone Church
- Chieftains Museum / Major Ridge Home
- Berry College: Oak Hill
- Richmond Hill History Museum
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.