Sites to Visit on Georgia College’s Campus

If you are a Georgia College student, learn more about the history of your college, the charming town in which it resides in, and all of the historic buildings and natural habitats it strives to preserve. Georgia College allows students to learn inside and outside of the classroom with fun activities, tours and trails to explore. All sites are open to the public, if you are interested in bringing family and friends along for the journey. Here are some of our favorite sites to visit on Georgia College’s campus:

William P. Wall Museum of Natural History

Visit the Paleozoic, Mesozioc and Cenozoic Eras and see fossils from Georgia and all around the world! The Museum of Natural History is a 2,500-square-foot museum dedicated to earth sciences, with an emphasis on paleontology – the study of fossils and ancient life forms. Located on the first floor of Herty Hall, this museum offers an explanation of the history of life through geological time. It's one of the largest selections of authentic fossils on display in the Southeast covering the last 500 million years. Explore this fascinating museum for free on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Planetarium

The first floor of Herty hall is also home to a full-dome planetarium featuring state-of-the-art graphic projection. Built in 2008, the Planetarium provides educational programs and shows about astronomy and the night sky. 

Students can view digital simulations of the sky in an immersive 20 ft diameter dome view with guides, labels, and motion. The planetarium also has the ability to display full dome show content. Planetarium shows for the public occur about once a month during the academic year in conjunction with the public observatory nights.

Art Galleries

Georgia College has two art galleries on campus where students can view art exhibits. Both museums hold student exhibits and art shows from other artists. The Museum of Fine Arts is located within the Underwood House on 102 South Columbia Street. Please call 478-445-4572 for the schedule or for an appointment. The Leland Gallery is located within Ennis Hall and is open on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. All Department of Art events are free and open to the public. Come support your fellow students and other incredible artists as they display their inspiring works or art.

Heritage Museum 

Read documents and learn about the fascinating history of former local politicians and literary geniuses that lived in Milledgeville and the surrounding areas. Heritage Hall located in the Ina DIllard Russell Library, documents the history and culture of Milledgeville/Baldwin County and other surrounding counties, and ensures that the lives and experiences of our diverse community receive historical recognition and representation. Heritage Hall has materials within Special Collections including University Archives, the Flannery O’Connor papers, the Paul D. Coverdell Papers, the Carl Vinson Papers, the Floyd L. Griffin Papers, the WJ Usery papers, and the Mamie Walker/Alice Walker papers. Heritage Hall is typically open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the academic school year. 

Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion 

Founded in 1803, Milledgeville was designed to be the capital of Georgia and held that title for over 60 years. Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion was completed in 1839 and is one of the finest examples of High Greek Revival architecture in the nation. Serving as the residence for Georgia's chief executives for over thirty years, the Mansion's history encompasses the antebellum, Civil War, and early Reconstruction phases of the state's history. Georgia's Old Governor’s Mansion also served as a stage on which many elements of the complex social issues of the antebellum period were played out. Slavery and the complexity of society and gender roles are among the issues that shape the history of the building and are explored in tandem with the issues of politics. During the Civil War, the Mansion was claimed as a "prize" in the "March to the Sea," when General William T. Sherman was headquartered in the building on November 23, 1864. The mansion is now owned by Georgia College and is open for tours from Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. with tours starting every hour. GCSU students can tour the mansion for free.

Sallie Ellis Davis House

The Sallie Ellis Davis House was the home of a dedicated and passionate Baldwin County educator. Davis was born in 1877 to an African American woman and a native Irish man. While she could easily have chosen to live her life as a daughter of privilege, Davis was responsible for educating hundreds of African American children despite the odds in a segregated South. Ms. Davis worked her entire career as a teacher and principal at the Eddy School to touch the lives of Baldwin County children. Ms. Davis was an inspiration and a pillar of the African American community in segregated Milledgeville. She encouraged her students to excel in all they did and to “reach for the stars” no matter what obstacles lay before them. During the academic school years, the Sallie Ellis Davis House is open for tours by appointment, please call the office at 478-445-5889​. 

GCSU students can tour her home for free.

Andalusia Farm

Andalusia is a picturesque farm where the highly acclaimed American author and Georgia College alumni, Flannery O’Connor lived from 1951 until her death in 1964. She graduated from GCSU in 1945, then called Georgia State College for Women with a bachelors in social science. Andalusia was first built in 1814 as a cotton plantation and farm, until Flannery’s uncle purchased it in 1931 and converted it into a beef and dairy farm. The site contained 14 buildings and 520 acres of land. Following a diagnosis of lupus in 1951, Flannery moved to Andalusia to live under the care of her mother. During the 13 years she lived there, she completed most of her literary work. The site is now owned by GCSU and serves as a Flannery O’Connor museum. This pastoral farm is open for tours on Tuesday- through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., with free access for GCSU students. Learn about this inspiring GCSU alumni while touring her historic home and farm land.

West Campus Trails

Hike the trails around West Campus and enjoy the beautiful scenery. If you are a GCSU student, the Outdoor Center will guide you through the hike and show you the best spots. They have multiple tours happening every semester that you can register for. You can hike the trails at any time for free and West Campus is accessible by car or by taking the bus from front campus.