Road To Tara Museum
Road To Tara Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Located in the Official Home of Gone With the Wind, the Road to Tara Museum invites you to relive Rhett and Scarlett's epic romance. From the true stories of the 1864 Battle of Jonesboro to the characters that brought Margaret Mitchell's beloved novel to life, there is something for everyone. See original movie props and wardrobe items, reproductions of some of Scarlett's most famous dresses, items from the 1939 Atlanta premiere and a Civil War exhibit featuring the Atlanta Campaign and Battle of Jonesboro.
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- MidwestKathMDetroit, Michigan845 contributionsImmerse yourself in Gone With The Wind!!Being a longtime Gone With The Wind fan and collector, I have visited the Road to Tara Museum numerous times through the years, usually with a group of like-minded friends. And it never disappoints as the story of Gone With The Wind covers the author Margaret Mitchell, her bestselling novel, and the David O Selznick-produced Oscar-winning blockbuster film. Vintage and contemporary memorabilia, movie and Atlanta premiere memorabilia, reproduction costumes. Exhibits on Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly McQueen. One could easily get lost for a few hours here!! The gift shop has a full range of collectibles, books, posters, totebags, jewelry, and more. Definitely worth the price of admission for anyone with even a passing interest in Gone With The Wind!Visited September 2022Written October 20, 2022
- BestgranmomyAsheville, North Carolina19 contributionsVery historicalMy out of town guest really liked the trolley tour and we learned all sorts of historical facts about the civil war. We visited a confederate memorial gravesite, saw the house the KKK ran, and the confederate headquarters house used during the battle of Jonesboro , which many say is now haunted. I’d take the tour again. Below is a picture inside the confederate jail cell we visited.Visited July 2019Traveled with friendsWritten February 11, 2020
- Nilufer P2 contributionsTime travelling...Young lady at the front desk was very friendly and knowledgeable about the museum. Excellent presentation . Took a lot of pictures . Felt like I was time travelling. Who comes to visit This town, they must see "Road to Tara Museum"Visited July 2023Traveled soloWritten July 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
195 reviews
Excellent
102
Very good
68
Average
18
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1
Terrible
6
countrydrivergh
Lakeport, MI19 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Extremely disappointed. Drove down from Helen Georgia for a day trip only to find they close up at 3:00 pm and are only open Tuesday through Friday . We arrived 3:10 pm . Also it is only pictures posted inside the old train Station.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David34870
Covington, GA1 contribution
I saw the museum a couple of weeks ago and was impressed from the very start. I did not go with high expectations, but was pleasantly surprised by the size of the attraction as well as the quality of the exhibits and I can't overlook the friendliness of the 2 employees in the gift shop who went out of their way to make the visit a good one.
The museum is definitely larger than a "large motel room" as described in another review and had plenty of exhibits to examine and read.
I can't believe someone woul say the price of $7 was to high as I expected the price to be higher than that considering waht we saw and experienced.
Please, if you are a GWTW fan-this return to Tara should not be missed.
The museum is definitely larger than a "large motel room" as described in another review and had plenty of exhibits to examine and read.
I can't believe someone woul say the price of $7 was to high as I expected the price to be higher than that considering waht we saw and experienced.
Please, if you are a GWTW fan-this return to Tara should not be missed.
Written June 21, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taraplantation
Covington, GA2 contributions
I read the reviews & I am definitely one of those true GWTW fans. I thoroughly enjoyed the museum. It's definitely bigger than a large hotel room someone wrote about earlier. Don't go with high expectations - just go because you are a fan or just want to tour it. I realize some men walk thru fast and/or wait for their wives to tour, but my husband toured it with me and he loved it as much as I did. We went on Sat, May 29, 2010. We spent about 2 hrs touring the museum and then we spent about 45 min+ in the gift shop. The women who work there will make you feel right at home.
Take the time to see (& read if you have time) everything. They even have the movie playing as you are touring. I don't care that the dresses are not the original ones worn in the movie, but I take great delight in knowing they made the dresses to be exact replicas. What makes for something being more realistic is to allow yourself to go back in time to that period and appreciate what they have presented for you to see. It also portrays the battle, so you get a little bit of everything. They even have a replica (doll house) & on the back side, you can see some tiny furniture.
My husband and I paid $6.00 (guess we got a Sr. discount) for the tour and we think it was worth every cent - in fact I told them that I would have paid more. I don't understand why others were stating $7.00 was too much. Evidently, they just walked through fairly quickly and didn't take the time to truly absorb it all. In fact, one of the ladies had gone outside to see if our car was still parked in the parking lot, because my husband and I had stayed so long, she thought we had somehow passed by her without her seeing us leave. She said we were one of the few who spent that much time touring the museum. To me, it's your loss if you don't spend the time to capture the moment.
I spent some time in the gift shop, because there is no way I could leave without a souvernier (of course I bought more than one item, but my husband knows how I am about anything that pertains to GWTW, so he always allows me to spend more - he's such a sweetheart).
I was disappointed that the tour buses were not running the day we were there. However, I plan on taking my mother in a few months, because she would enjoy the bus tour and touring the museum. Looks like I get to tour the musuem again!!
Jonesboro is not a big town, so don't confuse it with Atlanta - meaning, maybe some people expected to tour a big museum, since Jonesboro was named the birthplace of Tara. Jonesboro is a small, older town which brings with it the charm you would expect. My vote is to go & take time to enjoy it.
Signing off,
Gayle Beckner, a GWTW fan.
Take the time to see (& read if you have time) everything. They even have the movie playing as you are touring. I don't care that the dresses are not the original ones worn in the movie, but I take great delight in knowing they made the dresses to be exact replicas. What makes for something being more realistic is to allow yourself to go back in time to that period and appreciate what they have presented for you to see. It also portrays the battle, so you get a little bit of everything. They even have a replica (doll house) & on the back side, you can see some tiny furniture.
My husband and I paid $6.00 (guess we got a Sr. discount) for the tour and we think it was worth every cent - in fact I told them that I would have paid more. I don't understand why others were stating $7.00 was too much. Evidently, they just walked through fairly quickly and didn't take the time to truly absorb it all. In fact, one of the ladies had gone outside to see if our car was still parked in the parking lot, because my husband and I had stayed so long, she thought we had somehow passed by her without her seeing us leave. She said we were one of the few who spent that much time touring the museum. To me, it's your loss if you don't spend the time to capture the moment.
I spent some time in the gift shop, because there is no way I could leave without a souvernier (of course I bought more than one item, but my husband knows how I am about anything that pertains to GWTW, so he always allows me to spend more - he's such a sweetheart).
I was disappointed that the tour buses were not running the day we were there. However, I plan on taking my mother in a few months, because she would enjoy the bus tour and touring the museum. Looks like I get to tour the musuem again!!
Jonesboro is not a big town, so don't confuse it with Atlanta - meaning, maybe some people expected to tour a big museum, since Jonesboro was named the birthplace of Tara. Jonesboro is a small, older town which brings with it the charm you would expect. My vote is to go & take time to enjoy it.
Signing off,
Gayle Beckner, a GWTW fan.
Written June 16, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
packhawk
Minnesota67 contributions
I thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit to the Road to Tara museum in Jonesboro. It was my last, and favorite of Atlanta's Gone with the Wind attractions, including Maietta's museum and the Margaret Mitchell House.
The Road to Tara is located in an old train depot in cute little Jonesboro, south of Atlanta. The depot is also the county visitor's center. I was greatly by a very friendly staff member and was the only one there at the time, so had the museum to myself. I though this museum had the most interesting and broad range of GWTW and historic information and exhibits. There is a nice display about the Civil War, Margaret Mitchell and information on where Tara really is and if it ever existed. I loved the artifacts from the movie premier at the now demolished Loew's Theatre. This museum had it all, may things from a guy's personal collection of memorabilia. Just down the road is the Stately Oaks Plantation, which is worth a picture, and has tours as well.
I was quite impressed and would recommend this as my top GWTW site and a must-see whether a die-hard or casual fan of the movie and history of the South.
The Road to Tara is located in an old train depot in cute little Jonesboro, south of Atlanta. The depot is also the county visitor's center. I was greatly by a very friendly staff member and was the only one there at the time, so had the museum to myself. I though this museum had the most interesting and broad range of GWTW and historic information and exhibits. There is a nice display about the Civil War, Margaret Mitchell and information on where Tara really is and if it ever existed. I loved the artifacts from the movie premier at the now demolished Loew's Theatre. This museum had it all, may things from a guy's personal collection of memorabilia. Just down the road is the Stately Oaks Plantation, which is worth a picture, and has tours as well.
I was quite impressed and would recommend this as my top GWTW site and a must-see whether a die-hard or casual fan of the movie and history of the South.
Written January 20, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kadelia
Phoenix, AZ189 contributions
What a delightful stop if you love GWTW. This is the personal movie collection of Herb Bridges, who wrote the definitive collectors book on Gone with the Wind.
Located in the old town train depot; this charming building also houses the Clayton County chamber and is the starting point for a GWTW bus tour. The tour is self guided, but the girls working the desk will chat your ear off with stories about Herb and Jonesboro and GWTW--very friendly!
The museum itself is divided into small sections, included one very nice section on the Battle of Jonesboro. I was told that many a man walked in glum faced, but came out pleasantly surprised as the civil war info is quite nice and interesting. I, of course, was there to see Scarlett's dresses from the movie, however!!! Now, these are reproductions, but they were made from the same patterns and the same materials. To be honest, I was absolutely thrilled! They has the green BBQ dress, the green curtain dress, the red dress she wore to Ashley's birthday and the dressing gown she wore when Bonnie came home. Also of interest was Belle Watlings yellow gown, Careen's dress and Bonnie's dress.
The film memorabilia was terrific--signed photos of all the stars, the movie posters, a collection of all things Mammy, mixed in with all things civil war period from local Jonesboro. The movie is played on a loop, and while I was there it was the final scenes. I must admit I was secretly delighted to have the place to myself and loved immersing myself in the old south for just a bit.
If you are a film buff-go! If not, it's a pleasant diversion. Talk to the desk clerk--she alone makes it worth your trip!
Located in the old town train depot; this charming building also houses the Clayton County chamber and is the starting point for a GWTW bus tour. The tour is self guided, but the girls working the desk will chat your ear off with stories about Herb and Jonesboro and GWTW--very friendly!
The museum itself is divided into small sections, included one very nice section on the Battle of Jonesboro. I was told that many a man walked in glum faced, but came out pleasantly surprised as the civil war info is quite nice and interesting. I, of course, was there to see Scarlett's dresses from the movie, however!!! Now, these are reproductions, but they were made from the same patterns and the same materials. To be honest, I was absolutely thrilled! They has the green BBQ dress, the green curtain dress, the red dress she wore to Ashley's birthday and the dressing gown she wore when Bonnie came home. Also of interest was Belle Watlings yellow gown, Careen's dress and Bonnie's dress.
The film memorabilia was terrific--signed photos of all the stars, the movie posters, a collection of all things Mammy, mixed in with all things civil war period from local Jonesboro. The movie is played on a loop, and while I was there it was the final scenes. I must admit I was secretly delighted to have the place to myself and loved immersing myself in the old south for just a bit.
If you are a film buff-go! If not, it's a pleasant diversion. Talk to the desk clerk--she alone makes it worth your trip!
Written November 17, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmarcialeigh
Dayton, OH23 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed this little museum. It is all about the civil war and the book Martha Mitchell wrote as well as the movie released in 1939. It had the dresses "Scareltt" wore in the movie and it had many photos as well as lots of information about the civil war focusing on the Atlanta area. GWTW is more about an era in our history and this museum symbolizes that as well. It IS quite small but packed full of lots of information not taught in schools anymore and certainly not widely known by most folks any longer. Well worth the couple of hours one can while away in this special place. Most museums are so large that one gets lost before you get through it all. Being small this museum focuses on one thing so you can as well. Loved this little place very much. The highlight of our vacation.
Written November 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dgn5cs
Phoenix, AZ291 contributions
I called to inquire about hours, cost, etc., and was pleased to hear Victoria, a real person, give me other useful information. When we arrived, she greeted us as if she knew us. The museum itself is small, but very well arranged. Even my friend, who is not a big fan of "Gone with the Wind," enjoyed all the costumes and memorabilia. Our children (ages 7,5, and 3) liked the Civil War and movie-making aspects of the museum. Because the bus tour was not running that week (one week out of the year), Victoria gave us a map of what we could see on our own. This is well worth the visit if you are a fan of the movie, or even just a fan of pop culture. Both ladies (I didn't get Victoria's co-worker's name) were personable and friendly. We did drive to the places on the map, and enjoyed our visit immensely.
Written May 10, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
godawgs24
Atlanta1 contribution
I really enjoyed the Road to Tara Museum. I had always enjoyed the movie, but I didn't know what to expect when my girlfriend dragged me there. It was great seeing the replica costumes (she loved learning about what it took to create them) information on how Margaret Mitchell got the title to the book and information about the local area that inspired the book. I recommend this museum to anyone who is a fan of the book or the movie.
Written November 14, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurel
Jonesboro, GA28 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
Excellent museum of Gone with the Wind and Civil War and southern history. Display of Gone with the wind books excellent. Tours of Jonesboro and Civil War sites available on request. Gift shop and local tourist information very helpful.
Written March 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review. It's great to hear that you enjoyed your visit and took one of the tours around Jonesboro. We do offer two different ones that run Monday through Saturday at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. We hope to see you in the museum again!
Written April 2, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ShanLando
Orlando, FL45 contributions
This was a huge disappointment. We pulled up to the Clayton County Welcome Center hoping we'd purchase our tickets and be directed across the street to the museum. Not so. The museum is EXTREMELY small. About the size of a large hotel room I'd say. Admission is $7, which to me was very overpriced.
The collection includes only REPLICAS of the costumes worn in the movie. HUGE disappointment. Even if they had one original, that would have been great to me. The ones they had were Belle Watlings outfit, BBQ dress, red dress, curtain dress, bonnie blue's riding outfit, mammie's outfit, and a suit from Rhett Butler. They also had a minature replica of Tara, original poster from the movie (most interesting thing to me), autographed photos of the stars, prints of GWTW in many different languages, phone devices that allowed you to hear tidbits from Fred Crane, information on the war & plantation life, and that's about it.
For those of you who are "hard-core" GWTW fans like myself, you won't find this interesting in the least bit. For those who are aware of the movie, liked it, and don't know much else...perhaps you'll find this interesting.
If you have someone with you who isn't interested in GWTW, save your money and have them wait in the car. It doesn't take longer than 15 minutes or so to do the museum.
The collection includes only REPLICAS of the costumes worn in the movie. HUGE disappointment. Even if they had one original, that would have been great to me. The ones they had were Belle Watlings outfit, BBQ dress, red dress, curtain dress, bonnie blue's riding outfit, mammie's outfit, and a suit from Rhett Butler. They also had a minature replica of Tara, original poster from the movie (most interesting thing to me), autographed photos of the stars, prints of GWTW in many different languages, phone devices that allowed you to hear tidbits from Fred Crane, information on the war & plantation life, and that's about it.
For those of you who are "hard-core" GWTW fans like myself, you won't find this interesting in the least bit. For those who are aware of the movie, liked it, and don't know much else...perhaps you'll find this interesting.
If you have someone with you who isn't interested in GWTW, save your money and have them wait in the car. It doesn't take longer than 15 minutes or so to do the museum.
Written February 26, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClarkGriswold1179
Chicago, IL25 contributions
How long does it take to go through the museum?
Paul S
Marion1,565 contributions
15 minutes to five hours, depending on your level of GTW fanticism. You can just walk through and glance at everything and then be on your way to the next stop. However, if you are like my dad and read every caption on every thing, immerse yourself in the maps, ( the Battle of Jonesboro is yet another that the South could have and should have won, but came up short) and watch the entire movie, it will be a long visit. I think 45 minutes to an hour would be realistic for most.
Fingerlakes09
New York177 contributions
Wife is BIG gone with the wind fan . Plan to to self visit Tara Museum, Plantation and Mitchell house in Downtown Anything I am missing and is there a better day to visit Sunday ,Monday or Tuesday?
lv2tvlatl
atlanta192 contributions
Weekday is less crowded. Make sure you do the bus tour before going to the museum. Mitchell house is in Midtown Atlanta and everything is about 30 mins south of the city.
how long is the tour and how long does it take
Road_to_Tara_Museum
Jonesboro, GA1 contribution
The bus tours take about an hour and fifteen minutes, but can take up to an hour and a half with an optional stop at Arts Clayton Gallery. The museum is self-guided, so that's at your own pace.
nicnamered
Cleveland, OH13 contributions
I only have one day and want to show my mom, HUGE GWTW fan, the best memorabilia.
Have you been to Margaret Mitchell house, Atlanta? Or Gone with the Wind Museum, Marietta?
What would you suggest?
Ilovekoalas99
Hampton, GA52 contributions
I hear the Margaret Mitchell house is the best! I haven't been to either of the places you are asking about. I would read the reviews on those two places here on trip advisor to make your best decision since you only have one day. Have a GREAT time with your mom.
Charlie P
Jonesboro, GA
does anyone have pictures of bud english store in any condition would appreciate live less than a mile away
Road_to_Tara_Museum
Jonesboro, GA1 contribution
Hi,
We don't have any photos of the Bud English Store. You could reach out to the Georgia Archives to see if they have any photos. Their phone number is 678-364-3710. Hope this helps!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Road To Tara Museum
- Road To Tara Museum is open:
- Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Road To Tara Museum Information
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