Galleries
The Cherokee County History Center is a history museum home to 6 unique galleries and 2 outdoor exhibits. Each gallery covers a unique chapter in Cherokee County's history, starting in the Carolyn Smith Galt Gallery at 11,000 B.C.E. with artifacts from the Cherokee, Creekland, and other Native American groups. From there, visitors can continue counterclockwise to learn about the County's involvement with the Civil War, its pioneering industries, the World Wars, and contemporary history.
North Entrance Garden
The North Entrance Garden is located just outside the entrance of the Cherokee County History Center. Sponsored by the Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation, the garden is home to the Etowah River Exhibit, a stunning art display that teaches guests passing-by the importance of conserving the Etowah River-shed and its vast biodiversity.
East Garden
The East Garden is home to 3 unique metal sculptures tied to Cherokee County's unique history. Crafted by Huelani Mei Fogleman of Mei Designs.
Carolyn Smith Galt Gallery
Discover: 11,000 B.C.E. - 1838
Explore the prehistoric past and learn about the peoples that inhabited Cherokee County for thousands of years. Get hands-on by tracing Native American pottery patterns and touching local animal artifacts.
Highlights from this gallery include our Native American Pottery Collection spanning thousands of years & White Oak Basket by Cherokee weaver Agnes Welch.
Grisham-Galt-Magruder Gallery
Grow: 1838 - 1879
The years between 1838 to 1879 were a tumultuous time in Cherokee County's history. This time period saw the discovery of gold and other resources, the expulsion of the land's original inhabitants, war, recovery, and newly fought for freedoms.
Highlights from this gallery include the Civil War case with historic uniforms and Spinning Wheel & Coverlet produced c. 1875.
Roberts Family Gallery
Build: 1879-1929
The late 19th century brought growth and revitalization to Cherokee County. The arrival of the railroad system, the building of mills, and establishment of the towns contributed to a booming economy that solidified the county's place as an industrial asset. Societally however, racial tensions were growing as REconstruction gave way to segregation and Jim Crow laws.
Gallery highlights include the moonshine distillery, Dean's Store replica, & the Jones-era Mercantile Wagon.
Douglas Gallery
Change: 1929-1981
Global and national events helped shape Cherokee County beginning with the Great Depression in the 1930s and the continuing with World War II and the decades of economic recovery that followed. During World War II, about 2,000 men and women left the county to serve, while those on the home front did their part to support the efforts.
Following the war, Cherokee County joined the rest of the country in an era of growth and prosperity, fueled by the emerging poultry industry, plentiful jobs, and an influx of new residents.
Highlights from this gallery include "The Way It Was: Stories of Cherokee County's Desegregation" documentary film in the model Canton Theatre & World War II Case with uniforms, letters, and other artifacts.
Laura Spears Coogle Gallery
Preserve: 1966-Present
In the 1980s and 1990s Cherokee County saw rapid changes and growth as it more than quadrupled in population from 51,999 residents in 1980 to 266,620 people in 2020. With the completion of a new highway that opened Cherokee County to the metro Atlanta area, a new era began in the county's history.
What the railroad did for Cherokee County in the 1880s, I-575 would do 100 years later. Interstate I-575 paved the way for a new wave of growth and development that saw the county listed in the top fastest growing communities in the nation.
Highlights from this gallery include the Dixie Speedway Stock Car simulation and the Sites Worth Saving interactive.
Byron L. Dobbs Gallery
This gallery will host several temporary exhibits throughout the year on a variety of historical topics.
"A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play" is now on display in the Dobbs Gallery! From celluloid ducks to American Girl, see how toys have evolved, and in many ways, remained the same over the years in this exhibit guest curated by Chuck Douglas. All toys sourced from locals in Cherokee County, prominently featuring the Douglas family's collection.
