The historic Atlanta Cyclorama painting and the famous Texas locomotive will move to the Atlanta History Center, which will construct a new building for the painting and artifacts.
Located in Grant Park next to Zoo Atlanta, The Cyclorama is best known for its painted depiction of the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. The painting debuted in Detroit in February 1887.
The theater rotates in a 360-degree circle, allowing the audience to see the entire 42-foot-tall painting. An introductory film narrated by James Earl Jones sets the scene for visitors before they enter the room that houses the painting; narration on each part of the scene as the room rotates highlights the various events depicted in the painting.
“The relocation of the Atlanta Cyclorama to the History Center represents a unique opportunity to renew one of the city’s most important cultural and historic landmarks,” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a news release. “Under the stewardship of the History Center, the Cyclorama will continue to be a teaching tool, and will be enjoyed by a broader audience of residents, students and visitors alike.”
The move will take two years to complete, and the current Cyclorama building — which dates to 1921 — will be developed into an event space as part of upgrades to Zoo Atlanta. The building will include an overlook of the Zoo’s African savanna exhibit, and renovations will preserve the historic character and aesthetic appeal of the original facility, officials said.
The relocation of the Cyclorama will save the city approximately $1 million a year in operating costs, officials said.
