Athens, GA, May 15, 2024 – Visit Athens, in partnership with six other destination marketing organizations in this culturally-rich region of Georgia, today unveiled Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore. The new self-guided tourism trail spans more than 90 miles in Georgia with immersive attractions that reflect the best of the cultural arts, architecture and heritage in Athens as well as Oconee County, Madison, Eatonton, Milledgeville, Gray-Old Clinton and Macon.

Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore tells the stories of history, events and unique architectural, literary, musical, design, and artistic endeavors of periods ranging from the earliest indigenous communities to Georgia’s iconic music scenes of the nineteen seventies and eighties. From the early frontier days and the Civil War to the Civil Rights era, the unforgettable stories and traditions of this region of Georgia connect visitors to the past and are brought to life all along Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore.

The new tourism trail website, LegacyLoreGA.org, includes an interactive map to guide visitors along this 90 mile route, provides profiles of top cultural heritage attractions in each community, and includes themed itinerary ideas to suit a wide range of interests.

“We’re thrilled that Athens is a part of the newly launched Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore, allowing us to spotlight our unique cultural landmarks focusing on arts, architecture and heritage,” said Hannah Smith, director of marketing and communications for Visit Athens. “It’s an amazing opportunity to showcase beloved local sites like the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Morton Theatre, while also collaborating with neighboring communities to raise awareness about Georgia’s rich history and expand perceptions of its evolving destinations.”

Birthplace of public higher education in America, the college town of Athens is steeped in heritage and culture that has been preserved through the ages. From art museums and renowned music venues to historic districts and house museums, a few notable sites along Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore in Athens include:

  • The Georgia Museum of Art holds more than 18,000 works of art on the campus of the University of Georgia and is the state’s official museum. Visitors will see a strong permanent collection including American painting, works on paper, southern decorative arts and self-taught art, as well as works by African American artists.
     
  • The Morton Theatre is one of the first and oldest surviving African American vaudeville theaters in the United States. Built, owned and operated by Monroe “Pink” Morton, the theatre opened in 1910 and hosts live theater and music concerts
     
  • The vibe and energy that gave birth to R.E.M., the B-52s and Widespread Panic can be experienced while walking along the Athens Music Walk of Fame on the sidewalks of downtown Athens. Installed in 2020, new Athens-based artists from across the decades and genres are inducted each year.
     
  • The Church-Waddel-Brumby House is believed to be Athens’ oldest surviving residence. The Federal-style house, circa 1820, was rescued from demolition and restored in the early 1970s. Today, the house museum is home to the Historic Athens Welcome Center where visitors can step back in time, reserve tours and be further immersed in the city’s rich history.
     
  • On the grounds of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, the Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum features eight different gallery spaces that blend natural history, conservation, botanicals, art, beauty and curiosity. Georgia’s official botanical garden also features a Heritage Garden that traces the development of Georgia agriculture from the frontier gardens of the colonial era to the expansive farmlands of the 20th century.

Full information on Athens attractions as well as those in other communities along Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore, is available at LegacyLoreGA.com.

Now open for visitors and locals alike to explore, Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore is a collaborative effort to ignite community and regional pride, inspire learning, increase awareness and enlightenment, broaden perspectives and promote preservation, all while creating memorable moments along the way. From early millennial civilizations through the 1970s and 1980s southern and indie rock movements, from pre-Civil War through Civil Rights, Georgia’s Trail of Legacy & Lore is centered on the unique cultural arts, architecture and heritage that can only be experienced here.

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About Visit Athens

Visit Athens GA is the official destination marketing organization for Athens-Clarke County, Ga. The organization engages the creative energy of Athens to activate curiosity, inspire experience and advance the community’s quality of life and economic opportunity for all. It increases the economic impact of the hospitality and visitor industry by attracting individual visitors, groups, and meetings and conventions to Athens. Tourism works for Athens, contributing $435 million in spending and providing jobs for 4,400 people. Visitors generated $31.5 million in local and state tax revenue, which is equivalent to $600 in tax savings for every household (calendar year 2022.)

 

Media Contact
Lou Hammond Group, PR Agency of Record
470.568.3800, VisitAthensGA@LouHammond.com