Exhibitions

Permanent Exhibition

Located primarily on the 4th floor of the Georgia Capitol, the permanent exhibition focuses on the Georgia Capitol and State Government. Highlights include models of both Miss Freedom and the Capitol Dome, Governor’s artifacts and replica of the Capitol time capsule.

Georgia’s Official State Symbols can be viewed in a case on the 4th floor along with artifacts from Georgia’s earliest populations. There are also numerous exhibits that feature Georgia’s natural resources, including dioramas that display the major climate regions of Georgia: mountains, piedmont, plain, swamp, and coast. On the first floor there are cases that depict specific geographical areas of Georgia such as the Marshes of Glynn.

Explore the museum with help from our activity sheets.

 

Current Temporary Exhibits

Spanish American War, World War I and Operation Iraqi Freedom Flags

Where: Hall of Valor, 1st Floor, Georgia State Capitol

When: April 14 – July 14, 2016

82nd Division, 325th Regiment, AEF
United States National Flag

The 82nd Division served in the first major American offensive in France at St. Mihiel September 1918 and remained through the final American offensive in the Argonne Forest in October. These troops were victims in combat of deadly mustard gas. The 325th Regiment sustained battle losses of ninety-four percent of its initial strength. Capt. Joseph Brown Connally, a member of the regiment, brought this flag home from France. He died in 1920 at Fort McPherson from the effects of mustard gas.

1st Georgia Infantry Regiment
United States National Flag
Spanish American War

Organized at Griffin May 11-14, 1898 with 46 officers and 960 enlisted men, the unit was assigned to First Brigade, Second Division, First Army Corps. The 1st Georgia Infantry was mustered out of service at Macon, November 18, 1898. Although the regiment was anxious to join the fighting in Cuba, the conflict with Spain ended before the regiment departed. Only the 3rd Georgia Infantry actually left the country to participate in the war.

48th Brigade Combat Team Battle Flag
Operation Iraqi Freedom

As part of the 24th Infantry Division, the 48th Brigade carried this flag during their year-long deployment in Iraq. The lightning bolt insignia characterizes the mobility and effectiveness of their combined forces of infantry, armor, and artillery. Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver presented this flag to Gov. Sonny Perdue in May 2006 noting that this flag was raised over Victory Base, Camp Stryker, the Triangle of Death and every memorial service for the 26 soldiers lost.

 

Past Temporary Exhibits

Creek War, Spanish American War and Operation Iraqi Freedom Flags

Where: Hall of Valor, 1st Floor, Georgia State Capitol

When: September 28, 2015 – January 8, 2016

Jefferson Riflemen
Georgia Militia Flag

The Jefferson Riflemen, a volunteer company of infantry, was attached to the 9th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Georgia militia. Organized in 1836 at Louisville in Jefferson County, the Riflemen mustered into federal service during the Creek War and disbanded before the Civil War. During Sherman’s March to the Sea, Union soldiers confiscated the flag from the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The image on the back of the flag depicts four federal flags and an eagle carrying arrows, an olive branch, and a ribbon with the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Out of many, one). Wives, mothers, and daughters of militia members embroidered this detailed rendering of the 1834 federal seal.

1st Georgia Infantry Regiment
United States National Flag
Spanish American War

Organized at Griffin May 11-14, 1898 with 46 officers and 960 enlisted men, the unit was assigned to First Brigade, Second Division, First Army Corps. The 1st Georgia Infantry was mustered out of service at Macon, November 18, 1898. Although the regiment was anxious to join the fighting in Cuba, the conflict with Spain ended before the regiment departed. Only the 3rd Georgia Infantry actually left the country to participate in the war.

48th Brigade Combat Team Battle Flag
Operation Iraqi Freedom

As part of the 24th Infantry Division, the 48th Brigade carried this flag during their year-long deployment in Iraq. The lightning bolt insignia characterizes the mobility and effectiveness of their combined forces of infantry, armor, and artillery. Brig. Gen. Stewart Rodeheaver presented this flag to Gov. Sonny Perdue in May 2006 noting that this flag was raised over Victory Base, Camp Stryker, the Triangle of Death and every memorial service for the 26 soldiers lost.

 

20th Century Flags

Where: Hall of Valor, 1st Floor, Georgia State Capitol

When: June 26-September 28, 2015

24th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
United States Army

In 1990, following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, the U.S. Army's 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), then located at Fort Stewart, Georgia, deployed to Southwest Asia. Their mission was to lead a coalition to remove Saddam Hussein's forces from the country. For its service in the Persian Gulf, the unit was awarded Southwest Asia service streamers for the Defense of Saudi Arabia (Operation Desert Shield) campaign and the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait campaign (Operation Desert Storm).

121st Infantry Regiment
Georgia National Guard

This unit was called to active duty September 16, 1940. As part of the 8th Infantry Division, the 121st landed at Utah Beach, Normandy, July 4, 1944. During World War II, the Gray Bonnets participated in fierce fighting in the hedgerow country of France, the Huertgen Forest, and the Ruhr Valley. The regiment suffered more than 4,800 casualties in 200 days of combat. The Gray Bonnets received two Presidential Citations, five Campaign Stars, the French Croix de Guerre, and a Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to Staff Sgt. John W. Minick.

82nd Division, 325th Regiment, AEF
United States National Flag

The 82nd Division served in the first major American offensive in France at St. Mihiel September 1918 and remained through the final American offensive in the Argonne Forest in October. These troops were victims in combat of deadly mustard gas. The 325th Regiment sustained battle losses of ninety-four percent of its initial strength. Capt. Joseph Brown Connally, a member of the regiment, brought this flag home from France. He died in 1920 at Fort McPherson from the effects of mustard gas.

 

Civil War Flags

Where: Hall of Valor, 1st Floor, Georgia State Capitol

When: April 1-June 26, 2015

Zachry Rangers
Confederate States National Flag, First Pattern

Named for Charles Thornton Zachry, regimental commander, the Rangers served as Company H in the 27th Regiment. The Henry County unit proved its courage at 45 of the bloodiest engagements of the war. At 2nd Manassas, the 27th helped turn the tide. The regiment displayed its mettle at Olustee, causing the enemy to give way in confusion. The 4th Michigan Cavalry reported capturing this flag, but years later Zachry’s grandson claimed the flag was confiscated by Sherman’s men from the home of Colonel (later Brig. General) Zachry.

Bartow Artillery
Confederate States National Flag, First Pattern

The Bartow Artillery, organized in Griffin, was one of nine companies incorporated into the 22nd Georgia Siege Artillery Battalion. The battalion’s men hailed from Bartow, Oglethorpe, Montgomery, and Cobb counties. The Bartow company served in Savannah and Charleston before surrendering in North Carolina in 1865.

47th Georgia Infantry Regiment
Confederate States Battle Flag

Organized in 1862, the 47th carried this battle flag in all engagements and was never captured, never surrendered. In large battles and small skirmishes from Mississippi to North Carolina, the flag led the regiment, sustaining more than thirty bullet holes. Out of 1200 men, the “Bloody 47th” ended the war with less than 170 men. At a Rivers Bridge memorial ceremony, South Carolina returned the flag to its home state in the year 2000.