The William Root House Museum and Garden is one of the oldest surviving houses in the Atlanta area. The William Root House Museum and Garden features a glimpse of life for a typical antebellum middle class Georgia family in 1850. Stepping through the museum’s doors is like taking a journey back in time. The interior of the house is meticulously decorated with period furnishings, giving visitors an authentic sense of life in the mid-1800s.
Built in 1845 by early settlers Hannah and William Root, the Root House is one of just a few buildings that survived Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and is one of the oldest surviving houses in Marietta. The house was used as a single-family residence until the 1940’s when it was divided into apartments.
By the late 1980’s, the house was in disrepair and scheduled for demolition. When it was found to be one of the oldest buildings in Marietta, it was purchased by the Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society and restored to it’s 1845 appearance.
Every room in the Root House contains authentic period pieces that change with each season, allowing visitors to learn the story of the Root family and life in pre-Civil War era Georgia. Stepping outside, visitors can see the recreated kitchen that includes a working 1850s cook-stove and gardens that feature ornamental flowers and shrubs, culinary and medicinal herbs, and vegetables that were available in the area in the 1850s.
On March 26, 2019, an 875-square-foot cabin was added to the William Root House Museum & Garden. The log cabin is used to help tell the stories of the enslaved individuals who lived and labored at the Root House property prior to emancipation.
Also in 2019, the museum underwent a half-million-dollar renovation, which involved both remodeling and expanding the exhibits at the Root House. Interactive touchscreen displays were added to every room of the house and surrounding outbuildings, allowing visitors to explore family photos and documents, as well as watch educational videos produced for the museum, making the past come alive as visitors explore the various rooms and learn about the family’s life and legacy.
With its well preserved architecture, captivating stories, and welcoming ambiance, the museum invites all to step back into history and appreciate the timeless charm of Marietta’s bygone era.
Hours:
Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm
There are no set tour times, so guests are free to explore the museum campus at their own leisure during open hours.
The museum is closed for Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Week, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Week.
Address:
William Root House Museum & Garden
80 North Marietta Pkwy NW,
Marietta, GA 30060
The William Root House Museum & Garden is owned and operated by the Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society. For more information about the museum, please call (770) 426-4982 or visit RootHouseMuseum.com.
Parlor:
North Room:
