Do you have a few free hours between meetings at the ALA Midwinter Meetings this weekend? Or maybe you’re scheduled to arrive early or depart a day or two after midwinter. Here are six things to do in Atlanta when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of midwinter.
I See a Story: The Art of Eric Carle
Atlanta’s High Museum of Art hosts this exemplary exhibit featuring more than 80 original pieces from world renowned picturebook master Eric Carle.
1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 (approx 3 miles from Conference Center)
The Center for Civil and Human Rights
This stunning museum features exhibits pertaining to both the American civil rights movement and the global human rights movements. Just a short walk from teh conference center, expect an emotional experience you won’t soon forget. From the website: “Visitors will be immersed in a visceral experience of sights, sounds and interactive displays depicting the courageous struggles of individuals working to transform the United States from Jim Crow laws to equal rights for all.”
100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 (.5 miles form the Conference Center)
The Jim Henson Collection at the Center for Puppetry Arts
This collection donated by Jim Henson’s family is housed at the Center for Puppetry Arts. See muppets from Seaseme Street, Fragile Rock, the Muppet Show, Dark Crystal and more. When you’ve had your fill of nostoligia, be sure to check out the puppets from around the world collection as well.
1404 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 (approx 3 miles from Conference Center)
The Auburn Avenue Research Library – R. Gregory Christie’s Freedom in Congo Square Original Art exhibit
Award committees are sure to be looking closely at Freedom in Congo Square (Carol Boston Weatherford, illus. R. Gregory Christie. Little Bee Books 2016) over the weekend, here’s your chance to take a close look at the original art of this magnificent picturebook. Located only one mile from the conference center the newly renovated Auburn Avenue Research Library is a dedicated research and archival library with collections focusing on African American culture and history.
101 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 (1 mile from Conference Center)
Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site
Operated by the National Parks Service, the Martin Luther King Jr. historical site includes several buildings in the Auburn Avenue district including Martin Luther King Jr. childhood home, the historic Ebenezar Baptist Church, and the visitor center/museum. There’s a reason this is the number one tourist destination in Atlanta year in and year out.
450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 (2 miles from the Conference Center)
Located in Atlanta’s historic West End, The Wren’s Nest was the home of the famous Georgia author Joel Chandler Harris when he wrote his famous/infamous Uncle Remus stories. The home is now a museum and history center focusing on the preservation of African American folklore and storytelling.
1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30310 (2.5 miles from the Conference Center)
See you in Atlanta! (and whatever you do, please don’t call it hotlanta.)
*******************************************************************************************
Today’s guest blogger is Eric Carpenter. Eric is the school librarian at Fred A. Toomer Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia. Need some Atlanta advice during midwinter? Feel free to reach out to Eric via twitter @_ericcarpenter1
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you’d like to write a guest post for the ALSC Blog, please contact Mary Voors, ALSC Blog manager, at alscblog@gmail.com.