The Most Iconic Libraries in Georgia

A library is much more than a place to grab a good read, especially in Georgia. The Peach State is home to several iconic libraries that reflect its heritage, history, and culture. Built across different eras, these prominent institutions show Georgia’s love of learning and flair for architectural design. From the stunning stained glass windows of the state’s first free library to mid-century modernism in downtown Atlanta, these libraries are a treasure trove for tourists looking to explore a new side of Georgia.

Mary Willis Library, Washington

Georgia’s first free library and the first in the state to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Mary Willis Library is a very special place. The library was created in 1888 by Dr. Francis T. Willis in memory of his daughter, Mary, and opened to the public a year later. Built in the Queen Anne style of the time, the building features a large stained glass memorial window made by Tiffany Studios and commemorating Mary Willis. Now part of the Bartram Trail Regional Library System, the library offers lending services as well as access to a collection of rare books on Wilkes and Georgia history, books by local authors, family memorabilia, and Washington newspapers.

There are two more historical landmarks within walking distance of the library. The first, Holly Court, is also known as the Ficklen-Lyndon-Johnson House and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 19th-century property originally consisted of two dwellings; the first was built in 1825, and the second was built in the 1840s.

The second attraction that may be of interest to history-lovers is the Robert Toombs House Historic Site. A former Congressman and Senator, Toombs was a fiery figure who backed Georgia’s secession from the Union and helped create the Constitution of 1877. His former home is now a museum where you can tour the house and grounds.

Cordele-Crisp Carnegie Library, Cordele

Established thanks to a grant by renowned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the Cordele-Crisp Carnegie Library opened in 1915 and is one of the few Carnegie libraries in Georgia still operating today. The library’s initial grant in 1903 was for $10,000, but it also received $7,556 in 1916 for remodeling. The Cordele-Crisp Carnegie Library was the first to offer service across the county and continues to be a full-service library with reading programs, community workshops, inter-library loans, computer access, and more. It’s an architecturally striking building, with two massive pillars flanking the arched entrance.

Located in the heart of downtown Cordele, there’s a lot to see around the library. Head west to take a stroll around Cordele Railway Park, where there’s a covered observation platform overlooking the intersection of three railway lines. Historical markers throughout the park trace Cordele’s long history with the railroad. Walk two blocks north to experience the historic railroad firsthand, courtesy of SAM Shortline Excursions. Choose from a range of journeys aboard vintage railcars, including the Presidential Flyer, which takes passengers across Georgia Veteran’s State Park and Lake Blackshear.

Columbus Public Library, Columbus

Built in 2005 and part of the Chattahoochee Valley Library System, the Columbus Public Library has been named ‘one of the most beautiful libraries’ in Georgia by the state’s Public Library System, thanks to its picturesque New Classical red-brick-and-limestone style. It’s one of the busiest in the area, with thousands of residents having a membership card. Aside from book loans and community classes, the library also offers a wide range of genealogical and historical research materials in its Genealogy and Local History Department.

While you’re in Columbus, take some time to browse the Columbus Museum, a lively hub of American art and regional history with a children’s gallery, cafe, shop, and landscaped grounds. Music-lovers will enjoy a trip to the Ma Rainey House, a museum dedicated to the music legend known as ‘the mother of Blues’. Tours of her former home are available by appointment. Finish up your visit to Columbus with a trip to tranquil Lakebottom Park, a leafy oasis in midtown where you’ll find hiking trails, sports fields, picnic facilities, and a children’s playground.

Atlanta Central Library, Atlanta

The Atlanta Central Library is one of the city’s most striking buildings, often compared to the Whitney Museum in New York, as they share an architect. The famous modernist Marcel Breuer was known for his divisive Brutalist buildings that had a stark, functional look. The Atlanta Central Library, which opened in 1980, was his last project before his death and was built on the site of the city’s Carnegie Library, which was demolished in 1977.

One of the library’s most famous patrons was Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind. Today, the library has a Margaret Mitchell Collection, which displays many of the personal items she left to the library on her death. Other special collections include a Rare Book Collection and a Georgia History Collection.

The Central Library is just a ten-minute walk from one of Atlanta’s most popular attractions, Centennial Olympic Park. This playground and green space was created in 1996 when the city hosted the Olympic Games. It includes sculptures, a plaza, water gardens, an amphitheater, and a packed schedule of concerts and events.

At the north end of the park are two destinations perfect for kids​​ or young-at-heart adults. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, which features interactive displays and games for kids of all ages, and the Georgia Aquarium, home to whales, sea lions, sea otters, and other fascinating marine animals.

Newnan Carnegie Library, Newnan

It was a local teenager who, in 1901, convinced Andrew Carnegie to give Newnan a $10,000 grant to build a library in the town square. Opening in 1904, this is one of the oldest Carnegie libraries in the state. It hasn’t continuously been a library, however. In 1987, the library moved to a new facility, and the building became an overflow courtroom for the County Courthouse. A campaign from local community groups led to the library being renovated and reinstated, opening again to the public in 2009. Today, the bottom floor operates as a reading room and the second floor as a community meeting space. The library also has an art gallery showcasing local artists in rotating exhibits.

After visiting the library, take a stroll north to the Newnan Coweta History Center and McRitchie-Hollis Museum. Housed in a stunning Georgian-style home built in 1937, the museum tells the story of the area’s residents and development over the centuries. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Keep the kids entertained at the nearby ChildrenConnect Museum. The museum offers drop-in crafting sessions, four creative play rooms featuring vintage toys, costume play, LEGO, toddler toys, and more.

History and Heritage

Community hubs, historic sites, architectural monuments, and Georgia’s iconic libraries have earned their place in the history books while continuing to provide invaluable services. If you’re planning a visit to the Peach State, put a library on your ‘must-see’ list. Not only are they a great way to learn about local history, libraries are also places of connection and community where you can meet local residents, discover a town’s story, and have an experience tourists usually miss.