Atlanta Cyclorama completes historic trek to Buckhead

The Battle of Atlanta raged in late July of 1864, ultimately leading to Sherman’s burning of Atlanta — a chapter of the city’s history known the world over thanks to Gone with the Wind.

But beyond literature, the bloody Civil War battle was memorialized in other ways, including a massive oil painting that stretches for longer than a football field; it’s aptly titled The Battle of Atlanta but known around the city as the Cyclorama.

Long a fixture in Grant Park, the century-old artwork made a major move last week to Buckhead, marking a new chapter in the life of the painting. The Atlanta History Center will now serve as steward for the Cyclorama.

For more than a year, work has been underway on the painting’s new home — a $32 million custom-built facility. There’s still much to be done, but the building has come a long way since last fall.

Meanwhile, the painting’s Grant Park home — which has stood since 1921 — will be converted into an events space for adjacent Zoo Atlanta.

Grid View

• Conservationist work on the painting in Grant Park before it is rolled up for transportation. Atlanta History Center
• The painting is rolled on a spool to prepare for transport. Atlanta History Center
• The first roll of the painting is removed from Grant Park. Atlanta History Center
• The second roll of the painting is hoisted through the roof. Atlanta History Center
• Part of the painting hovers high above the roof of the Grant Park building. Atlanta History Center
• A roll is loaded on a truck for the trip to Buckhead. Atlanta History Center
• One of the painting rolls is hoisted into its new Buckhead home. Atlanta History Center

Plans call for the full painting to be debuted next year.

• Drone captures aerial view of new home for Cyclorama [Curbed Atlanta]
• Atlanta Zoo Slated for $38M Upgrade [Curbed Atlanta]