By Henry Bryant
The Battle of Atlanta Commemoration Organization (BATL) is diligently working on the two historic monuments that mark important sites in the Battle of Atlanta; places where two opposing army leaders were killed. The city has deliberated the future of these monuments, deciding that they should continue to mark the places where history took place, without coloring that history. Once the renovation begins, the monuments will be taken down for months while they are cleaned and reconstructed with additional interpretation added to last another 120 years. As an event that had a direct effect on the outcome of the American Civil War, this battle is our piece of American history. BATL will be offering two walking tours that both feature one of the monuments.
On Sunday, February 24, the Civil War to Civil Rights tour will begin at 2:00pm. Our city has a unique place in these two important eras the history of our country seems to intersect in Southeast Atlanta. The tour begins near Clifton Road at the edge of East Atlanta and combines stories from the Civil War Battle of Atlanta with the Civil Rights stories of the battlefield. There are numerous sites to see in a fairly easy walk that takes an hour and a half to two hours. The meeting location will be sent to ticket purchasers. The ticket office will close at 5:00pm on February 23.
On Sunday, March 10 at 3:00pm, BATL will offer a free Frontlines Tour as part of the Atlanta Preservation Center’s annual Phoenix Flies event. There will be exciting tours and lectures all over Atlanta offered at no cost. As BATL partners with the Preservation Center, there will be limited spots for the BATL tour which regularly fills up each year. Advance reservations with the Atlanta Preservation Center are required at 404-688-3353. The tour will finish in time to enjoy dinner in the East Atlanta Village.
Stay tuned for more information about a Battle Begins Here Tour in April. Advance Tickets are required for all BATL tours and can be purchased online at www.BATLevent.org. The online ticket booth closes for each tour on the night before the scheduled date of the tour. Arrangements can be made to purchase tickets off line by calling 404-377-6148. Once tickets are purchased tourists will be contacted with all pertinent information close to the tour date. Alternative dates will be scheduled in case of weather cancelations.
