New Exhibit Opening Soon: Georgia’s Historic Disasters and Disaster Planning

Staff Report

Thursday, March 23rd, 2023

The Georgia Archives exhibit, Georgia’s Historic Disasters and Disaster Planning, will open on April 1st and run through June 28, 2023. 
 
We’ve selected records from our collection that highlight some of the historic disasters the state has faced, including a hurricane that struck Savannah in 1854 and a fire that burned a portion of Atlanta in 1917. The exhibit also showcases historic disaster plans and responses. You’ll see an order from the Georgia Attorney General ordering the National Guard to Gainesville after an F-4 tornado hit the city in 1936. We also have Cold War era civil defense plans created in response to the threat of a nuclear attack. 
 
The exhibit is free and open to the public during our regular research hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm and 1 pm - 4pm. 
 
The Georgia Archives is a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. The Georgia Archives identifies, collects, manages, preserves, provides access to, and publicizes records and information of Georgia and its people, and assists state and local government agencies with their records management.