Welcome to The Bartow History Museum
Explore Bartow County’s history at the Bartow History Museum in Historic Downtown Cartersville, Georgia. Journey through 200 years, from Cherokee habitation in the early 1800s to contemporary events shaping the region.
Housed in the refurbished 1869 Courthouse building in downtown Cartersville, the museum offers historical exploration and convenient access to nearby amenities. Extend your visit, and our knowledgeable staff will provide valuable information.
Bartow History Museum is a Program of Georgia Museums, Inc. as is the Booth Western Art Museum, Tellus Science Museum, and the Savoy Automobile Museum.
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America ExhibitVoices and Votes: Democracy in America
The Bartow History Museum will host Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition presented in partnership with Georgia Humanities, from July 24 through September 5. The exhibition explores the history of American democracy, civic participation, and the ongoing expansion of voting rights over nearly 250 years. Part of the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program – a national partnership between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, state humanities councils, and local host institutions – the exhibition brings engaging public history programming to rural communities. The Georgia tour is supported by Georgia Humanities and partners including Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, and Georgia System Operations, with additional support from the U.S. Congress.
Click here for additional event dates and details.
To learn more about Museum on Main Street, visit the Museum on Main Street website, and to learn more about the Georgia US250 Commission, visit the Georgia US250 Commission website.
We are a Blue Star Museum!
Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across the country. The program offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve members. The Bartow History Museum is proud to participate in this nationwide initiative.
The 2026 program runs from Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 16, 2026, through Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2026.
VISITOR EXPERIENCES
A must see in the area. The staff was very welcoming and helpful. The facility and exhibits are artfully maintained, stimulating much conversation and memories among our group. Not a large collection, but significant in understanding the history of the area.
Wonderful place to learn about Bartow history. Very friendly and informative staff.
We always enjoy our visits to this small museum. It may be small, but it has a lot to offer. They host a variety of events throughout the year. Many are great for elementary age. Occasionally they combine their events with the Booth Western Art Museum.
This is a wonderfully curated museum with awesome exhibits about local history. Their lunch and learns and their evening lectures are excellent and the staff is amazing. This is a fantastic place to visit, don’t miss it.
Active Military gets in free but its always good to support your local museum. A lot of beautiful history inside.
