TSD Memphis

Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport now can explore eight decades of Atlanta's past in "A Walk Through Atlanta History," a unique, multimedia exhibit in the Transportation Mall between concourses B and C.

Aviation officials recently hosted a ceremony to dedicate the exhibit, which highlights several prominent Atlantans — such as former mayors Shirley Franklin, Andrew Young and Maynard H. Jackson Jr. — who played important roles in shaping the city's history. The exhibit features large wall murals, brief videos and reader rails that highlight key periods, milestones and events.

"Hartsfield-Jackson is proud to present this visual time capsule to the world," said Aviation General Manager Louis Miller. "It allows travelers and art enthusiasts to trace Atlanta's history from its humble beginnings to its emergence as an international city."

The exhibit covers eight time frames: the pre-Colonial era through 1840; the first train stop in Atlanta; the Civil War and the Battle of Atlanta; Reconstruction and the rebuilding of Atlanta into a commerce hub; the rise of the Sweet Auburn district; Mayor William B. Hartsfield's achievements; Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement; and Atlanta's entry onto the global stage.

Filmmaker and exhibit creator Gary Moss envisioned an enjoyable, educational experience for people of all ages. "I was surprised to find a story as rich, poignant and ultimately inspiring as anything that I had traveled far to find," Moss said.