 |
|
 |
|
  |
|
|
|
 |
Attractions & Resources
Visitor Information  Alta Vista Cemetery 
This cemetery is the resting place for two Georgia governors and
numerous war veterans, including Gen. James Longstreet, Confederate
General Robert E. Lee's right hand man during the Civil War who
lived in Gainesville from 1875 until his death in 1904. Brenau University 
Established in 1878 as the Georgia Baptist Female Seminary, the
institution became Brenau College in 1900 when Dr. H.J. Pearce purchased
the campus. "Brenau," derived from German and Latin, means
"refined gold." Brenau was privately owned until 1911
when a board of trustees assumed stewardship of the college, as
is still the case today. In 1928 Brenau created a female, residential,
college-preparatory school, grades 9 through 12. In the early 1970's,
Brenau began offering evening and weekend classes to both men and
women. In March of 1992, the board of trustees unanimously voted
to convert the college to a university. Today Brenau University
includes the Academy, the oldest residential preparatory school
for girls in the state of Georgia; the Women's College, and the
Evening and Weekend College, which offers bachelors, masters and
Specialist in Education degrees for men and women. Buildings on
the National Register of Historic Places include Pearce Auditorium,
a Victorian theatre with a beautiful ceiling fresco. Other attractions
include the Bete Todd Wages museum of vintage clothing and the John
S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts. Elachee Nature Science Center 
Located in the 1400 acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve, this environmental education center features a natural history museum, live animal exhibit and 13 miles of hiking trails. As Hall County’s largest protected greenspace, the woodland preserve provides an ideal outdoor classroom for teaching environmental and life science to students and the public through school field trips, outreach programs, public workshops, family programs and nature day camps.
Over 60,000 visitors a year benefit from the healthy and natural preservation of this woodland treasure through trail maintenance and stream restoration by Elachee, a private not-for-profit 501(c)3 who serves as trustee for the entire preserve.
Green Street Historical District 
This Gainesville district, listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, features 19th and 20th century Victorian and Neoclassical
residences and businesses. John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts 
The John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts on Academy Street
opened in April 2002. This facility features a 350-seat theatre
and a 100-seat recital hall along with music faculty studios, classrooms
and practice rooms. Together with Pearce Auditorium, this new Brenau
University building will serve as a major cultural resource for
the growing Gainesville/Hall community and campus. The new center's
theatre and recital hall enhance the performances of many groups
that anticipate smaller audiences, providing a level of intimacy
difficult to achieve in Pearce Auditorium. The new center will feature
a stained glass front, outdoor sculpture, large lobby and distinctive
roofline. Gainesville Symphony Orchestra 
The Gainesville Symphony is celebrating its 25th year of operations and has grown from a community orchestra to a professional regional orchestra. We offer a variety of events from classical masterworks to fun holiday pops and of course the traditional July 3 Partiotic Pops concert at the Brenau Amphithearer. Lake Lanier Islands 
The 1,200-acre lake Lanier Islands resort offers water sports and
other outdoor activities galore. The main attraction is the Lake
Lanier Islands Beach and Water park, a water-oriented theme park
with a sandy beach, water slides, wave pool, boats, miniature golf,
volleyball court, video arcade, restaurants and aquatic attractions
for small children. The resort also offers boating, fishing, picnic
areas, horseback riding, and more. For overnight stays, there are
rental lake houses, rental houseboats, two resort hotels with 18-hole
golf courses and camping areas. Lanier National Speedway 
Lanier National Speedway opened its doors in 1982 and soon became
known as a racing showplace. Today, this premier short track continues
it's twenty year tradition by hosting over 2,500 guests and over 100
competitors each week. Lanier National Speedway guests have the option
of enjoying all the action in a family atmosphere, from grandstand
seating, track side-tier parking or VIP Suites.
Pearce Auditorium 
Brenau University's historic Pearce Auditorium was dedicated May
21, 1897. It is named for Dr. Haywood Jefferson Pearce, president
of Brenau from 1893-1943. In 1978 the building along with others
on the Brenau campus was named to the National Register of Historical
Places. Three years later it was closed for renovations and then
reopened in the spring of 1984. In addition to its wide usage by
such local groups as The Arts Council, the Gainesville Theatre Alliance,
the Gainesville Ballet, the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra and others,
Pearce Auditorium has been the site of many famous speakers such
as Helen Keller, Will Durant, Martin Luther King Sr., Dan Rather
and Jane Fonda. Poultry Park
The park is a tribute to the local poultry industry that earned
the city the title of "Poultry Capital of the World."
It includes a garden and statuary. Quinlan Visual Arts Center
 The Quinlan Visual Arts Center is the largest arts center in Northeast Georgia devoted solely to the visual arts. Located in the heart of Gainesville's Historic Green Street district, the Quinlan has evolved from humble origins from the Gainesville Art Association, founded in 1947, to the comprehensive facility you see today. The galleries display rotating exhibitions of original art works by local, regional and internationally known artists. The Gift Shop offers original framed art, pottery and other unique items by local artists. Seasonal art classes are offered in all media for adults and children, and the facility is also available for private events. 514 Green Street  770.536.2575www.quinlanartscenter.org Road Atlanta 
This major motorsports facility is located in scenic natural surroundings.
The 2.54-mile track attracts top international racing stars of sports
cars and motorcycles. Smithgall Arts Center / Arts Council Depot 
This 1914 train station is the home of the information center for the arts for Gainesville, Hall County and northeast Georgia; the Arts Council, and an umbrella organization for the community's 25+ arts and arts-related organizations. |
|
|
 
|
Homepage
| © 2008 Hall County Government | |||
|
|
||