LECTURE
Preserving Black History Sites in Georgia
May 8, 2026 | 6:30pm
William Root House
Join Mary Wilson Joseph, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office, for an insightful update on the mission to protect Georgia’s Black heritage. Drawing on 20 years of museum experience and a specialized background in preservation, Mary serves as the primary liaison for the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network. During this presentation, Mary will outline the resources provided by the state’s Historic Preservation Division, highlight notable African American landmarks across Georgia, and discuss why local community engagement remains the cornerstone of preservation. Space is limited. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased online in advance.
GET TICKETS
FUNDRAISER
Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 9, 2026 | 11am-12:30pm and 1pm-2:30pm
William Root House
Join us for our annual Mother’s Day Tea Party at the William Root House. This family-friendly event will take place indoors, or in the Root House gardens (weather permitting). Guests will enjoy a variety of finger sandwiches and pastries, and a selection of teas. Each reservation includes a farmhouse table and seating for four guests. Guests are encouraged to have fun dressing up! Space is limited. Table reservations are $180 per table (seats four guests). Reservations are required.
RESERVE A TABLE
Preservation Awards & Member Reception
May 14, 2026 | 6:00pm
William Root House
We hope you can join us at the William Root House for our annual member appreciation event on May 14th. We’ll be celebrating some of our recent accomplishments and honoring and recognizing individuals, businesses, and organizations who are making a difference in the community through historic preservation. Admission is free. No RSVP is required. This is a great opportunity to bring guests and introduce them to our organization!
LECTURE
Talking Trash: Power and Gender in Post-Reconstruction Atlanta
May 16, 2026 | 6:30pm
William Root House
What can 20,000 pieces of 130-year-old trash tell us about the women of 19th-century Atlanta? Uncovered during the construction of the MARTA rail lines in the 1970s, the artifacts of Site 9DA89 reveal a story you won’t find in history books. Join archaeologist Brenna Munson as she explains what these discarded household items tell us about female identity, domesticity, and social change in post-Reconstruction Atlanta. Brenna will discuss how women used their homes to defy one-size-fits-all expectations of femininity, race, and class in the Urban South. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased online in advance.
GET TICKETS
FREE ADMISSION DAY
Juneteenth
June 19, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm
William Root House
In 1860 Marietta had 297 households and a population of approximately 2,600. Of the 297 households, 137 (46%) held slaves. Marietta’s slave population in 1860 was 1,175, meaning that almost 45% of Marietta’s total population was enslaved. The same census shows that there were four enslaved people at the Root House property - two men and two women, ages 35 to 73. Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth, an annual celebration of the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the U.S. in June 1865. Visitors will learn about the history and significance of the holiday through tours, crafts, and living history demonstrations. We are pleased to offer free admission to this program.
LECTURE
The Life and Art of Nellie Mae Rowe
June 20, 2026 | 6:30pm
William Root House
Join Nellie Mae Rowe’s great-great-niece, Cathi Perry, for an intimate discussion about how Rowe turned a life of domestic labor shaped by segregation into one of joy and free-spirited creativity. Learn how she transformed her Vinings home into a “Playhouse” using vivid drawings, sculptures, and found-object art—an act of personal expression that established her as one of the most significant self-taught Black folk artists of the 20th century. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased online in advance.
GET TICKETS
FUNDRAISER
Independence Day Fireworks Viewing Party
July 4, 2026 | 6:00pm-9:30pm
William Root House
Enjoy Marietta’s amazing fireworks display from the best viewing spot in town - the William Root House gardens! Bring your own table decor, beverages, and food. A prize will be awarded to the table with the best decorations. Guests will have access to the restroom in the Root House Visitor Center during the event. Reservations fill up quickly each year, so don’t wait! On-site parking for one vehicle is included with this reservation. A four-person table reservation is $300. A six-person table reservation is $450. Space is limited.
RESERVE A 4-PERSON TABLE
RESERVE A 6-PERSON TABLE
FUNDRAISER
Mount Vernon Dinner
July 10, 2026 | 6:00pm
William Root House
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we invite you to step back in time for an evening of culinary history. Experience the flavors of the 18th century with a curated menu inspired by George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Savor a multi-course dinner rooted in 1776, reimagined for 2026. While iced tea will be served, guests are welcome to bring their own beverages to enjoy. Join us for an unforgettable evening! Table reservations are $360 per table (seats four guests). Space is limited. Reservations are required.
RESERVE A TABLE
LECTURE
Researching Historic Buildings
August 6, 2026 | 6:30pm
William Root House
Every building has a story, from a turn-of-the-century storefront to a 1960s ranch house. But how do you find it? Join historic preservation consultant Kendra Waters of Verity Works to learn the professional techniques for uncovering your property’s past. Drawing on her experience with over 50 preservation projects, Kendra will guide you through the “detective work” of physical investigation and archival research. Learn about the Cobb County-specific resources you can use to help trace the lineage of your home or business. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased online in advance.
GET TICKETS
Preserving Black History Sites in Georgia
May 8, 2026 | 6:30pm
William Root House
Join Mary Wilson Joseph, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office, for an insightful update on the mission to protect Georgia’s Black heritage. Drawing on 20 years of museum experience and a specialized background in preservation, Mary serves as the primary liaison for the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network. During this presentation, Mary will outline the resources provided by the state’s Historic Preservation Division, highlight notable African American landmarks across Georgia, and discuss why local community engagement remains the cornerstone of preservation. Space is limited. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased online in advance.
GET TICKETS
FUNDRAISER
Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 9, 2026 | 11am-12:30pm and 1pm-2:30pm
William Root House
Join us for our annual Mother’s Day Tea Party at the William Root House. This family-friendly event will take place indoors, or in the Root House gardens (weather permitting). Guests will enjoy a variety of finger sandwiches and pastries, and a selection of teas. Each reservation includes a farmhouse table and seating for four guests. Guests are encouraged to have fun dressing up! Space is limited. Table reservations are $180 per table (seats four guests). Reservations are required.
RESERVE A TABLE
Preservation Awards & Member Reception
May 14, 2026 | 6:00pm
William Root House
We hope you can join us at the William Root House for our annual member appreciation event on May 14th. We’ll be celebrating some of our recent accomplishments and honoring and recognizing individuals, businesses, and organizations who are making a difference in the community through historic preservation. Admission is free. No RSVP is required. This is a great opportunity to bring guests and introduce them to our organization!
LECTURE
Talking Trash: Power and Gender in Post-Reconstruction Atlanta
May 16, 2026 | 6:30pm
William Root House
What can 20,000 pieces of 130-year-old trash tell us about the women of 19th-century Atlanta? Uncovered during the construction of the MARTA rail lines in the 1970s, the artifacts of Site 9DA89 reveal a story you won’t find in history books. Join archaeologist Brenna Munson as she explains what these discarded household items tell us about female identity, domesticity, and social change in post-Reconstruction Atlanta. Brenna will discuss how women used their homes to defy one-size-fits-all expectations of femininity, race, and class in the Urban South. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased online in advance.
GET TICKETS
FREE ADMISSION DAY
Juneteenth
June 19, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm
William Root House
In 1860 Marietta had 297 households and a population of approximately 2,600. Of the 297 households, 137 (46%) held slaves. Marietta’s slave population in 1860 was 1,175, meaning that almost 45% of Marietta’s total population was enslaved. The same census shows that there were four enslaved people at the Root House property - two men and two women, ages 35 to 73. Join us as we commemorate Juneteenth, an annual celebration of the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the U.S. in June 1865. Visitors will learn about the history and significance of the holiday through tours, crafts, and living history demonstrations. We are pleased to offer free admission to this program.
LECTURE
The Life and Art of Nellie Mae Rowe
June 20, 2026 | 6:30pm
William Root House
Join Nellie Mae Rowe’s great-great-niece, Cathi Perry, for an intimate discussion about how Rowe turned a life of domestic labor shaped by segregation into one of joy and free-spirited creativity. Learn how she transformed her Vinings home into a “Playhouse” using vivid drawings, sculptures, and found-object art—an act of personal expression that established her as one of the most significant self-taught Black folk artists of the 20th century. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased online in advance.
GET TICKETS
FUNDRAISER
Independence Day Fireworks Viewing Party
July 4, 2026 | 6:00pm-9:30pm
William Root House
Enjoy Marietta’s amazing fireworks display from the best viewing spot in town - the William Root House gardens! Bring your own table decor, beverages, and food. A prize will be awarded to the table with the best decorations. Guests will have access to the restroom in the Root House Visitor Center during the event. Reservations fill up quickly each year, so don’t wait! On-site parking for one vehicle is included with this reservation. A four-person table reservation is $300. A six-person table reservation is $450. Space is limited.
RESERVE A 4-PERSON TABLE
RESERVE A 6-PERSON TABLE
FUNDRAISER
Mount Vernon Dinner
July 10, 2026 | 6:00pm
William Root House
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we invite you to step back in time for an evening of culinary history. Experience the flavors of the 18th century with a curated menu inspired by George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Savor a multi-course dinner rooted in 1776, reimagined for 2026. While iced tea will be served, guests are welcome to bring their own beverages to enjoy. Join us for an unforgettable evening! Table reservations are $360 per table (seats four guests). Space is limited. Reservations are required.
RESERVE A TABLE
LECTURE
Researching Historic Buildings
August 6, 2026 | 6:30pm
William Root House
Every building has a story, from a turn-of-the-century storefront to a 1960s ranch house. But how do you find it? Join historic preservation consultant Kendra Waters of Verity Works to learn the professional techniques for uncovering your property’s past. Drawing on her experience with over 50 preservation projects, Kendra will guide you through the “detective work” of physical investigation and archival research. Learn about the Cobb County-specific resources you can use to help trace the lineage of your home or business. Tickets are $15 and must be purchased online in advance.
GET TICKETS
