Changing Exhibits
We have updated and changed some of our permanent exhibits in 2008. Come in a see our renovations!
Click here to learn more about our Veterans History Project
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Curtiss NC planes take off for first transatlantic flight (1919).
Admiral Towers on cover of TIME Magazine on June 23, 1941.
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Admiral John H. Towers: Father of Naval Aviation On October 17, 2003, the Rome Area History Museum opened a new permanent exhibit on the incredible life of native Roman, Admiral John H. Towers who is widely considered the Father of Naval Aviation. Towers was born in 1885 and graduated from Rome High School in 1901. His accomplishments include commanding the first transatlantic expedition by plane, incorporating women into naval service, being a lead strategist of the Pacific campaign during WWII, and being the first military office from Georgia to reach Four-Star Status.
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The Civil War exhibit contains a display of various rifles, swords, shots, shells, bullets, and uniform buckles. A Civil War hospital takes visitors back in time showing a surgeons kit that would have been used to tend to the wounded. A list of Floyd men who joined the Georgia Infantry in 1861 includes sharpshooters, riflemen, and light guards. Stories of individual sacrifice and courage are found throughout the exhibit. In May 1863, John Wisdom made a Paul Revere-type ride from Gadsden, Alabama to Rome to warn the citizens of an impending Federal attack. Read the heroic accounts of this and other attempts to save Rome from Union advances. A description of the occupation of Rome in 1864 by Sherman’s troops recounts the effects on ordinary citizens.
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Other permanent exhibits of special interest tell more contemporary stories of Rome. A one-room school house exhibit explores the development of education in Rome. The medical exhibit contains early examples of syringes, medicine bottles, microscopes, and a portable EKG machine. This exhibit is a tribute to doctors and nurses who built the medical community of Rome. A special dedication to African-American doctors is included. Transportation by rail has had a tremendous effect on the development of Rome. The railroad exhibit looks at the history of this important industry. The stove foundry exhibit shows several types of cast iron stoves made in Rome. Also featured are pictures of the foundries and the men who worked in extreme conditions to make items for the kitchen’s of wealthy and average citizens alike. The Rome Symphony Orchestra is the oldest symphony in the southeast and is featured in a permanent exhibit. A military exhibit has artifacts such as uniforms, weapons, mess kits, patches, medals, and war posters from Romans serving in various branches of the armed forces. The exhibit features WWI, WWII, the Korean War and Desert Storm.
Rome Area History Museum
305 Broad Street, Rome, Georgia 30161
Phone: 706-235-8051 | Fax: 706-235-6631 | email: info@romehistorymuseum.com
Last Updated: 05/27/2008
