Just as on a web site, in a museum content is king. The Rome Area History Museum is a definite must for any visitor to Rome or North Georgia. Organized chronologically, visitors are taken from Floyd's original inhabitants, the Cherokee Indians, to the founding of Floyd County and the city of Rome, Georgia. Through original blueprints, maps and photographs watch as Rome is built and grows during the 1800's.

Discover an elegant Rome, a city complete with the Nevins Opera House, and beautiful parks. Explore the arts of quilting and weaving as well as the founding of the area school systems and colleges. Witness the importance of steamboats and cotton on the agrarian society.

Wars have played a role in Rome's unique history. Both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm all have a place in the museum, but the Civil War had a most unique affect on Rome's heritage. The city sent twenty volunteer companies to battle, then watched as General William Tecumseh Sherman burned the city to the ground. Exhibits, photos, and historical documents cover local angles on all these wars, including an extensive collection of Civil War artifacts.

Born in Savannah, Georgia on May 15, 1860, Ellen Axson Wilson spent the majority of her childhood in Rome, GA. Her father, S.E. Axson, was the pastor of Rome's First Presbyterian Church. Learn the story of her courtship to young Woodrow Wilson and how the two came to wed. Visit the bedroom suite of the woman who became one of our nation's great First Lady's. Learn about her efforts to improve the housing in the capital's slums during her time at the White House through her artifacts, photos and more. Then see a nation mourn of her death while President Wilson was in office.

President Wilson's daughter's

Ellen Axson Wilson gave birth to two of her three daughters in Gainesville, Georgia. Read the story behind her choice of that city.

Location: 303 Broad St.
Directions: Take I-75 Exit 290 (GA 20) west for 2.3 miles. Bear right on a ramp to U.S. 41. Follow signs to Rome for the next 21.8 miles, finally merging into U. S. 27 (the Martha Berry Highway). Travel 1 mile to Broad Street. Turn left and the museum is on the right.
Additional information:
Phone:706.235.8051
Date added: November 16, 2003
Last update: December 6, 2003