Historic Athens Welcome Center

Historic Athens Welcome Center Your first stop in Athens, Georgia! Visitor Information for Athens and the entire State. Let us help you make the most of your visit to our Classic City.

Your Destination for History & Hospitality • Built in 1820 • Operated by Historic Athens (501c3) • Georgia Regional Visitor Information Center

https://linktr.ee/historicathenswelcomecenter We are located in the beautifully restored 1820 Federal Period home of two early presidents of the University of Georgia. Daily Heritage Tours and Special Tours by appointment: Music History, African American

History, Museum Mile, and more. Gift Shop featuring works by local artists, hand-crafted gift items, books and publications, local honey and BBQ sauce.

Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you! We hope you enjoy this holiday season however you choose to spend it.
12/23/2024

Happy Holidays from all of us to all of you! We hope you enjoy this holiday season however you choose to spend it.

Saturday evening at Akins Ford Arena, the Athens Rock Lobsters hockey team competed against the Columbus River Dragons. ...
12/23/2024

Saturday evening at Akins Ford Arena, the Athens Rock Lobsters hockey team competed against the Columbus River Dragons. Look who else made an appearance at the arena… Santa, himself! The Historic Athens Welcome Wagon was on site with a photo booth to help folks capture some holiday memories.

We have only TWO Bee Natural Honeypot Luminaries left in our Gift Shop. Will you be one of the folks who takes one home ...
12/18/2024

We have only TWO Bee Natural Honeypot Luminaries left in our Gift Shop. Will you be one of the folks who takes one home for the holidays? Drop by while you’re out doing your gift shopping!

Did you know? It’s National Chocolate Covered Anything Day! Grab yourself a chocolate-covered treat at Kilwin’s, some tr...
12/16/2024

Did you know? It’s National Chocolate Covered Anything Day! Grab yourself a chocolate-covered treat at Kilwin’s, some truffles from Condor Chocolates, or a hot fudge sundae at Ben & Jerry’s.

Did you know? We have glassware in our Gift Shop etched with maps of Athens! You can take a closer look at the cocktail ...
12/16/2024

Did you know? We have glassware in our Gift Shop etched with maps of Athens! You can take a closer look at the cocktail and pint glasses we have in stock any day between 10:00-5:00.

Are you a Historic Athens member or partner? We’ll take 10% off your purchase!

HOLIDAY EXCLUSIVE! Want to snag some Visit Athens merch that isn’t available in their online shop? Add this ornament to ...
12/12/2024

HOLIDAY EXCLUSIVE! Want to snag some Visit Athens merch that isn’t available in their online shop? Add this ornament to your collection this year! Available for $10 each in our Gift Shop.

Are you a Historic Athens member or partner? We’ll take 10% off of your purchase.

Who doesn’t love a historic view? We’ve recently stocked some enlarged prints of historic postcards in our gift shop! Co...
12/11/2024

Who doesn’t love a historic view? We’ve recently stocked some enlarged prints of historic postcards in our gift shop! Come browse through these, and more, any day from 10:00-5:00.

Are you a Historic Athens member or partner? We’ll take 10% off of your purchase.

Did you know? Thanks to Historic Athens Fellow Meghan Mundy, we now have a grand total of FIFTEEN self-guided tour offer...
12/10/2024

Did you know? Thanks to Historic Athens Fellow Meghan Mundy, we now have a grand total of FIFTEEN self-guided tour offerings on our website!

Meghan's tour, "Athens Eats: Past & Present," will take you on a journey through parts of Athens culinary history, from beloved and long-lost restaurants to those we can still enjoy today.

Visit https://www.athenswelcomecenter.com/selfguided-tours-of-athens/athens-eats-past-present to check it out! Leave us a comment here to tell us your favorite dish or memory from any of the places mentioned.

Did you know? Despite being widely known as the Peach State, the fruit crop that makes the biggest impact on Georgia’s e...
12/09/2024

Did you know? Despite being widely known as the Peach State, the fruit crop that makes the biggest impact on Georgia’s economy is… Blueberries!

This fun set of four bamboo coasters can be pieced together like a puzzle, forming a picture of the state that is covered in significant icons. Find them in our gift shop any day from 10:00-5:00!

Are you a Historic Athens member or partner? We’ll take 10% off of your purchase.

Who are the friendly faces at the Historic Athens Welcome Center? Let's get to know them one by one!Introducing... Tour ...
12/06/2024

Who are the friendly faces at the Historic Athens Welcome Center? Let's get to know them one by one!

Introducing... Tour Guide / Concierge William Godat! We asked William a few questions to help you get to know him better.

What are your preferred pronouns?
- He/him

How long have you worked at HAWC?
- I've worked for Historic Athens for a year.

What is your favorite thing about working at HAWC?
- Meeting guests from all over the world.

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
- Butt Hut

What is your favorite genre of music?
- Progressive Metal

What is one fun fact about yourself?
- I am an Eagle Scout.

Do you have a loved one who is a fan of charcuterie? This little cheese knife (also suitable for spreading jams and jell...
12/04/2024

Do you have a loved one who is a fan of charcuterie? This little cheese knife (also suitable for spreading jams and jellies) could be a great addition to their kitchen utensils!

Stop in and browse our gift shop any day from 10:00-5:00. If you are a Historic Athens member or partner, we’ll take 10% off your purchase!

Did you know? In 1816, the kaleidoscope was accidentally invented during experiments with the polarization and refractio...
12/02/2024

Did you know? In 1816, the kaleidoscope was accidentally invented during experiments with the polarization and refraction of light by Scottish physicist Sir David Brewster.

In 2024, we have modern kaleidoscopes available in our gift shop! These make a great gift for kids (and the young at heart) or for anyone who appreciates the combined effects of light, color and motion.

Are you a Historic Athens member or partner? You get 10% off of gift shop purchases here at the Historic Athens Welcome Center.

Did you know? We have some great stocking stuffers for all ages available in our gift shop! Come take a look at these it...
12/02/2024

Did you know? We have some great stocking stuffers for all ages available in our gift shop! Come take a look at these items (and so many more) any day between 10:00-5:00.

Who are the friendly faces at the Historic Athens Welcome Center? Let's get to know them one by one! Introducing... Conc...
11/29/2024

Who are the friendly faces at the Historic Athens Welcome Center? Let's get to know them one by one!

Introducing... Concierge / Tour Guide Reagan Smith! We asked Reagan a few questions to help y'all get to know her better.

What are your preferred pronouns?
- she/her

How long have you worked at HAWC?
- I just began working here, and I love it!

What is your favorite thing about working at HAWC?
- My favorite thing is that I get to spend the day in a historic home.

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
- My favorite restaurant in Athens is Clocked.

What is your favorite genre of music?
- I love indie rock music.

What is one fun fact about yourself?
- My twin brother is a UGA grad!

Who are the friendly faces at the Historic Athens Welcome Center? Let's get to know them one by one!Introducing... Conci...
11/22/2024

Who are the friendly faces at the Historic Athens Welcome Center? Let's get to know them one by one!

Introducing... Concierge / Tour Guide Luis Vicente-Vasquez! We asked Luis a few questions to help y'all get to know him a little better.

What are your preferred pronouns?
- he/him

How long have you worked at HAWC?
- 3 months

What is your favorite thing about working at the HAWC?
- Giving the tours and teaching people new things about the town.

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
- DP Dough

What is your favorite genre of music?
- Whatever genre the band Gorillaz is.

What is one fun fact about yourself?
- I can rattle off all the Presidents in order off the top of my head.

Happy Friday, friends! We have a new addition to the self-guided tour offerings on our website, just in time for the wee...
11/22/2024

Happy Friday, friends! We have a new addition to the self-guided tour offerings on our website, just in time for the weekend. Follow the link below to spend a day exploring and learning about 10 different sites around town that played important roles in manufacturing, water and power supply for the City of Athens.

https://www.athenswelcomecenter.com/selfguided-tours-of-athens/ruins-and-relics

Who are the friendly faces at the Historic Athens Welcome Center? Let's get to know them one by one!Introducing... Conci...
11/15/2024

Who are the friendly faces at the Historic Athens Welcome Center? Let's get to know them one by one!

Introducing... Concierge / Tour Guide Chris Mewbron (and foster kitten Doom)! We asked Chris a few questions to help y’all get to know him a little better.

What are your preferred pronouns?
- he/him

How long have you worked at HAWC?
- 3 years, give or take.

What is your favorite thing about working at HAWC?
- Uncovering links between the past and present, speaking to people I wouldn't have met otherwise, and continually learning more about our unique city.

What is your favorite genre of music?
- Currently it’s underground rap, but it changes often.

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
- Currently Mediterranean Grille, but that also changes pretty often.

What is one fun fact about yourself?
- I’ve been going to shows at the Georgia Theatre since before the fire.

Overnight on November 12-13, 1833, people gathered outdoors in awe of the Leonid meteor shower. Among the witnesses of t...
11/13/2024

Overnight on November 12-13, 1833, people gathered outdoors in awe of the Leonid meteor shower. Among the witnesses of this incredible event were those enslaved by Dr. Moses Waddel in Willington, South Carolina.

On November 13, 1833, Dr. Waddel wrote the following in his diary: "Wednesday. Son Isaac called. A. Houston also. Wrote Mr. Blocker's a/c. Rec'd Mr. Deval's a/c. Wrote to James S. Miles. Solomon awaked me to see the amazing shooting of the stars, the most amazing phenomenon I ever saw. Saw John Young pass from Augusta. Louis Covin came at night & took the measures for negro-shoes."

Solomon appears throughout the diaries that have been available for study, written between 1821 and 1836, covering most of Dr. Waddel's time here in Athens as well as his return to Willington. While work is still being done with the later entries, you can read "Enslaved Persons in the World of Dr. Moses Waddel: 1821-1831" here: https://www.athenswelcomecenter.com/black-athenians/ #2

This famous engraving of the 1833 Leonid meteor shower was produced for the Adventist book Bible Readings for the Home Circle by Adolf Vollmy. It’s based on a painting by Swiss artist Karl Jauslin, which, in turn, was based on a first-person account of the 1833 storm by a minister, Joseph Harvey Waggoner, who saw the 1833 shower on his way from Florida to New Orleans

Address

280 E Dougherty Street
Athens, GA
30601

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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Videos

Loom Craft Kit Instructional Video
Loom Craft Kit Instructional Video

Please enjoy this helpful instructional video to walk you through the process of using the cardstock loom craft kit!

Sundial Craft Kit Instructional Video
Sundial Craft Kit Instructional Video

Please enjoy this helpful instructional video to walk you through the process of using the sundial craft kit!

Daffodil Craft Kit Instructional Video
Daffodil Craft Kit Instructional Video

Please enjoy this helpful instructional video to walk you through the process of using the paper daffodil craft kit!

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