Cyclorama completes its final turn in Grant Park

ATLANTA — After 94 years in the same spot, the Atlanta Cyclorama took its final turn in Grant Park Tuesday.

The historic painting, donated to the city in 1893, will soon be moved to its new home at the Atlanta History Center.

Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum has been located in Grant Park, near the entrance to Zoo Atlanta, for decades. The painting inside the museum has been in Grant Park since 1893. The Diorama was added years later in 1936. It has been housed in its current building since 1921.

People from all over came to the museum Tuesday to see a part of history.

”I remember (it from) when I was a kid, and so we wanted to see it while it was still at Grant Park,” says Frank Cook, who brought his daughters Zoe and Annabelle to see the painting on its final day.

“I just saw the history and it’s really cool,” says Zoe Cook.

Measuring 42 feet tall, the painting depicts horseback attacks and brutal combat that took place during the Battle of Atlanta. It was a very sentimental day for visitors, who were reminded of the family trip or field trip when they first saw the massive painting.

A.J. Glaister, who came with his parents 40 years ago, says, “I wanted to be here on the last day.”

“It's a little nostalgic, a little heartbreaking. Just another piece of Atlanta moving out to the suburbs,” says Mike Phillips.

The painting will carefully be moved to a new space at The Atlanta History Center on West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. Safely moving the nine-ton painting could cost around $11 million. All of the money that will be used for the move was raised by a private fund.

Before Atlanta history marches on, the painting will undergo two years of painstaking restoration. The restored attraction will offer visitors 8 feet of sky that has been missing for generations.

Access to the Cyclorama will be covered by the Atlanta History Center’s regular admission, which currently costs $11 to $16.50.

WSBTV