by Linda Finnegan

Created on: October 05, 2010

The Gone with the Wind Museum is a popular attraction for fans and the just-curious sightseer alike. Located in historic Marietta, Georgia, the Gone with the Wind Museum gives visitors the opportunity to explore the antebellum history of the South. Celebrating the Pulitzer Prize winning novel and the Academy Award winning movie, the museum is filled with the interesting memorabilia. The museum opened in April 2003 and is housed in the vintage 1880s Thomas Warehouse. The brick walls and the aged wood add to the atmosphere of the old South. Self-guided tours are available at the information desk.

The Collection

Much of the memorabilia found in the museum was provided by Dr. Christopher Sullivan. His collection includes movie costumes and the original bengaline honeymoon gown worn by Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. Tara movie sets and other artifacts including posters and artwork used for publicity are also housed there.

Additionally, the museum holds personal copies of the novel that belonged to Margaret Mitchell. Visitors can view foreign editions of the book and press and publicity books from the era too. Gone with the Wind has sold more copies than any book except the Bible and it is still a popular book today. Several signed letters by Margaret Mitchell are also available for viewing.

 African-American History

The Gone with the Wind Museum also contains an educational display honoring the African-American cast members. Hattie McDaniel, who played Mammy, was the first African-American to win an Oscar. Defying the NAACP in order to do the role, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences chose to give her the Best Supporting Actress award. The museum holds some of the papers that featured in her defense at the time.

Civil War Era

The movie artifacts of the museum are also an educational tool for school children to picture the South before, during and after the Civil War.

Gift Shop

The gift shop contains a variety of books about the movie, its making, Margaret Mitchell, the cast and more.

Hours

The Gone with the Wind Museum’s regular hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The museum is closed on Sundays. There are special hours during the holidays and during the Pilgrimage Home Tours. Times are available on the website under events.

Contact Information

Gone with the Wind Museum

18 Whitlock Avenue

Marietta, GA 30064

770-794-5576

webmaster@marietta.gov

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