Millennium Gate Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Millennium Gate Museum |
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The Millennium Gate Museum
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| General information | |
| Type | Triumphal arch Art museum |
| Architectural style | New Classical |
| Location | Atlanta, United States |
| Construction started | 2005 |
| Completed | 2008 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Hugh Petter Rodney Cook Jr. ADAM Architecture |
The Millennium Gate Museum is a special building in Atlanta, Georgia. It looks like a giant arch, similar to famous arches from ancient times. This museum celebrates peaceful achievements from the last 2000 years. It is located in the Atlantic Station area of Midtown.
Contents
History of the Millennium Gate
Building the Millennium Gate
The Millennium Gate Museum opened its doors on July 4, 2008. Building this impressive arch and museum cost about $20 million. It was designed to look like the ancient Arch of Titus in Rome.
The main idea behind the Millennium Gate was to honor peaceful accomplishments. It was originally planned for Washington, D.C., but it ended up being built in Atlanta.
Art and Message of the Arch
The arch is decorated with sculptures by a British artist named Alexander Stoddart. These sculptures tell the story of peaceful achievements over the last 2000 years. Stoddart's "Peace and Justice Gates," which are on each side of the arch, even won an award in 2006.
A special message is carved into the arch in Latin. It says: "This American monument was built to commemorate all peaceful accomplishment since the birth of Jesus Christ in the year of our Lord, MM." The "MM" stands for the year 2000.
When the museum first opened, some people weren't sure about its design. They thought it might not fit well in the area. However, over time, the building became more accepted and appreciated.
Exploring the Museum and Collections
The Millennium Gate Museum has a large space for its exhibits, about 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2). The galleries are set up like old Savannah homes. They lead visitors through different centuries of Georgia's history.
Georgia's Early History
The museum starts with the history of pre-Columbian Native Americans. It also covers the 16th-century Spanish settlers along the coast. The 18th Century Georgia Pioneer Gallery focuses on General James Oglethorpe. He was important in creating the Colony of Georgia. This gallery shows old documents and items from Native American, Spanish, British Colonial, and American Revolutionary times.
Atlanta's Growth and Families
The galleries for the 19th and 20th centuries tell the story of Atlanta and Georgia's early days. You can see old photographs and items from twenty of Atlanta's first important families.
Modern Atlanta and Interactive Exhibits
Working with Georgia Tech, the museum has a 21st Century Interactive Gallery. Here, visitors can learn about Atlanta's growth. They can also see how people giving money to good causes has helped change the city.
Special Period Rooms
The Millennium Gate also has three special rooms set up to look like different historical periods. One is an 18th-century study from Lyman Hall, who signed the Declaration of Independence. Another is the 19th-century office of Thomas K. Glenn, a leader at Coca-Cola and other companies. The third is a 20th-century drawing room from a famous home called Pink House.
Past Exhibitions
The museum often hosts special art shows and exhibits. Here are a few examples of past shows:
- July 2009 - December 2009: Transcending Vision: American Impressionism 1870-1940
- January 2010 - December 2010: A Portal to The Past and Future - Travel Through the History of Georgia
- October 2011 - November 2011: WAVES: New Paintings by Peter Polites
- October 2014-February 2015: The Art of Diplomacy: Winston Churchill and the Pursuit of Painting
Visiting the Millennium Gate
The Millennium Gate Museum can be rented for private events like parties or gatherings. When someone rents the space, they are allowed to take photos.
However, if you are just visiting, the museum has a rule about photography. They do not allow photos with "professional" equipment, even from the public street. Private security guards might ask you to stop if you are using such equipment.
Images for kids
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The Millennium Gate from Atlantic Station
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A view of the front of the Millennium Gate
