The Adairsville Historic District covers approximately 170 acres. Railroad history and Civil War remembrance shape the themes that make Adairsville a destination for a cultural stay. When choosing where to stay, it is worth distinguishing between the historic themes in town and the separately located experiences at Barnsley Resort.
The Depot and the Town’s History
Before the Civil War, the 1845 Adairsville Depot was the center of a major repair facility for the Western and Atlantic Railroad. In December 1987, Adairsville became the first city in Georgia to be listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places. The Adairsville Depot History Museum and Welcome Center is located in the W&A Railroad Depot on Historic Square. The museum explores Adairsville’s role in the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War.
As part of the Adairsville, Georgia Oral History Series, a community history project developed a 40-part exhibit and accompanying educational programs for the Adairsville Depot History Museum and Welcome Center in 2016–2017. The Welcome Center offers free visitor information about Historic Adairsville and neighboring communities in Georgia. Check current operating details before your trip.
Cultural Buildings, Art, and Events
The Great Locomotive Chase Mural at the W&A Rail Depot depicts Adairsville’s role in the pursuit of Andrews’ Raiders. The town’s architectural history includes the 1902 Stock Exchange, a restored commercial building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A gallery displays paintings and drawings by Skip McNutt.
The Public Square Opera House stages six productions each year. If you would like to plan your trip around a performance, check the schedule; dates may change. The Adairsville Depot is the focus of the Great Locomotive Chase Festival, held annually on the first weekend in October. Check the dates in advance for the year you plan to travel.
Parks and Getting Around
Veterans Memorial Park has a splash pad. At Hayes Park, the rain garden provides natural habitat for native plants and wildlife; check its current condition before visiting. For road travel, Adairsville is located between Atlanta and Chattanooga on Interstate I-75.
Barnsley Resort as a Separate Focus
Barnsley Resort is about five miles outside Adairsville; its grounds cover 3,000 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Woodlands estate was established in 1841, and a large Italianate mansion was built at its center. The resort lists “Manor House Ruins, Gardens & Museum” as a bookable visitor experience. The activity list also includes a bookable horseback ride on a riding trail, as well as canoeing and kayaking as water activities.
Spa services include massages, aromatherapy, facials, and reflexology treatments. Availability and services may change. This resort outside town therefore offers a different focus from Adairsville’s historic themes: when making your choice, consider whether you primarily want to explore the town’s history or plan for the separately offered resort experiences.
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