Celebrating the past and looking forward to the future of the girl-led organization, the installation will be on view through Spring 2024
Vintage Girl Scout cookie boxes, unusual badges and Girl Scout Uniforms from long ago are just a few of the artifacts visitors will find in a new installation opening at Atlanta History Center on October 28. Developed in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL), 100 years of Girl Scout History in Atlanta will be housed in the Rountree Visual Vault through Spring 2024.
Debuting in time for Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday on October 31, the installation celebrates the organization’s origins in Savannah and 100 years of Girl Scouting in Atlanta; and it also looks to the future. The installation highlights “District V,” the first Black Girl Scout troops in Atlanta, founded in 1943 and the century-old, yet still-operating, Camp Timber Ridge. Visitors will learn the history of the iconic Girl Scout Cookie Sale and understand the rigorous standards for the highest honor in the movement, the Gold Award. The installation concludes with a look at Girl Scouting today, including STEM career development and leadership training.
“100 years of Girl Scout History in Atlanta tells the story of how an organization for girls, once considered radical by some, has grown and evolved with the city of Atlanta to provide every member the opportunity to make friends and enhance their skills,” said Tim Frilingos, Director of Exhibitions at Atlanta History Center. “The installation connects to Atlanta History Center’s aim to preserve history from multiple perspectives and share impactful stories of organizations like the Girl Scouts with all of our museum visitors.”
To date, Girl Scouts has served the needs of more than one million Atlanta girls. Prominent Atlanta families such as Inman, Fulton, and Rich are among GSGATL’s local founders, with Rich’s Department Store housing its offices for many years.
Today, GSGATL serves 34 area counties and meets everywhere girls are found: schools, houses of worship, domestic violence shelters, community centers and more. GSGATL offers career development and leadership programs with a number of Atlanta-based corporations and organizations. Girls can earn badges and take part in programs unique to the local council, such as the “Journey to Justice,” a civil rights-themed summer camp open to girls nationwide. This camp allows girls to learn about the Civil Rights struggle right here in the cradle of the movement.
“100 years of Girl Scout History showcases the innovation and tenacity it took to build the nation’s largest girl-serving organization,” said Kat Marran, interim CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. “We owe our longevity to adapting to changing times and meeting the needs of today’s girl. And unlike some of the vintage uniforms visitors will see, the mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character never goes out of style.”
The Rountree Visual Vault installation is located in Atlanta History Center’s main atrium and does not require admission to view.
Atlanta History Center is open for visitation Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com
About Atlanta History Center
Founded in 1926, Atlanta History Center is an all-inclusive, 33-acre destination featuring the Atlanta History Museum, one of the nation’s largest history museums, including Cyclorama: The Big Picture experience; three historic houses—the 1920s Swan House, the 1860s Smith Farm, and the 1830s Wood Cabin; Goizueta Gardens; Kenan Research Center; the Grand Overlook Ballroom; a museum shop; Souper Jenny café; and BRASH coffee shop. In addition, Atlanta History Center owns and operates Atlanta History Center Midtown, which includes Margaret Mitchell House, gallery space, and event spaces. Atlanta History Center Midtown is currently closed. For more information, visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com
About Girl Scouts
More than 25,000 Girl Scouts throughout 34 counties in the greater metropolitan Atlanta, northwest Georgia, and Polk County, TN bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Girls of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike, advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscoutsatl.org
