confederate soldiers

The Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library is a place of discovery. All are welcome to visit and explore our unique holdings, whether as a researcher or an observer. The breadth and depth of our collections are vast, and it is nearly impossible to investigate every nook and cranny. We invite you this year, through our blog, to tour some of those places you didn't know existed, and get acquainted with collections you might not have previously explored. Check back in with us weekly over the course of 2013 as we offer you a delightful look into some of the favorite, but perhaps lesser-known, corners of our collections. These pieces are visually interesting, come attached with fascinating stories, and are often 3D objects you might not have realized are part of what makes up The Extraordinary World of MARBL.

by Sara Logue, Research and Public Service Archivist, MARBL

Early on in Atlanta's history, it was determined that the growing town was going to need a space to bury its citizens. In 1850, six acres of land were purchased and set aside for the purpose of a public cemetery. By 1867, however, the cemetery grew to 48 acres due to the high number of Civil War casualties in and around Atlanta. Oakland Cemetery was designed as a rural garden cemetery allowing for citizens of the city to take advantage of a beautiful outdoor space while visiting with their late friends and relatives. Today the space is frequented for both tours of Atlanta history, and as a way to visit some of the city's more famous inhabitants.