The Columbus Region

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CULTURAL RECREATIONAL AMENITIES

Historical Interest	Columbus State University
Museums	UPtown
Theatres	Organizations

Black Heritage Tour
Columbus GA
Notes the significant contributions of Columbus, Georgia's African-American heritage at 28 sites including the home of Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Mother of the Blues, and others such as painter Alma Thomas and master bridge builder Horace King.

Historic Columbus Foundation, Inc.
The Rankin House
1440 2nd Avenue
P O Box 5312
Columbus GA 31906
Susan Lawhorne
706-322-0756
www.historiccolumbus.com
The Columbus Historic District is an area of properties that range from Federal cottages to Victorian homes. The Historic Columbus Foundation offers a Heritage Corner walking tour that includes five historic house museums ranging from the 1820s to the 1870s. It is also the largest contigous historical district in Georgia.

 

Trolley Tours
Metra Transit
Director (706-653-4410)
This tour is available through Columbus' public transportation system. It covers the downtown area -- business district and historic district. Once aboard the trolley, the driver will activate an audio playback system that briefly covers each point-of-interest. A detailed brochure is available at the Visitors Center on Bay Avenue for those who wish to do a driving tour on their own.

Linwood Cemetery
721 Linwood Boulevard
Columbus, GA 31901
706-321-8285
www.historiclinwood.org
This historic cemetery began functioning in 1828, four months before the creation of the city. There are numerous monuments, many surrounded by architectural antique cast iron and wrought iron fences, and impressive statuary.

Columbus Museum
1251 Wynnton Road
Columbus GA 31906-2898
Charles T. Butler, Director
706-649-0713
www.columbusmuseum.com
This museum is unique in the southeast for its focus on both American art and regional history. The museum features changing art exhibitions, 300 years of American and fine and decorative art in 15 galleries and two permanent galleries: Chattahoochee Legacy (the history of the Chattahoochee Valley) and Transformations (a hands-on discovery gallery). There is also a café and a museum shop. The 86,000-square-foot facility is the second largest art museum in Georgia.

National Infantry Museum
Baltzell Avenue, Bldg. 396
Fort Benning GA 31905-5273
Frank Hanner, Director
706-545-2958
www.infantry.army.mil/museum/index.htm
This museum traces the evolution of the infantry from the 16th century to the present. It contains military artifacts, weapons and equipment used by U.S. Army infantrymen and an exhibit on the history of Fort Benning. There's also a souvenir store, an audio-visual program, the Chattahoochee Choo Choo and the Airborne Gallery, a diorama of a paratrooper landing in enemy territory. In addition, funds are being raised for the construction of the National Infantry Museum Complex at an estimated $70 million.

Port Columbus Civil War Naval Center
1002 Victory Drive
Columbus GA 31902-1022
Bruce Smith
706-327-9798
www.portcolumbus.org
Port Columbus Civil War Naval Center is the only museum dedicated to a comprehensive look at this fascinating aspect of the Civil War. The collection is anchored by two of only four Civil War Navy vessels on public display: the ironclad ram Jackson and the gunboat Chattahoochee. Along with the ships, Port Columbus contains a collection that features many of the most rare and significant Civil War Naval artifacts in the world.

W. C. Bradley Company Museum
1017 Front Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901
706-571-6041
This museum houses a collection of 120 pieces by local and national artists depicting both the history of the W. C. Bradley Company as well as scenes from this part of Georgia and Alabama. The museum is open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.
Admission is free

Bradley Theatre
1241 Broadway
Columbus GA 31901
706-321-9098
Box Office: 706-321-8425
Located in the Historic UPtown Columbus Landmark District, the Bradley Theatre was opened to the public by Paramount Pictures on July 2, 1940. Named after the founder of the Columbus-based W. C. Bradley Co., the theatre was designed in the grand tradition of the Golden Age of motion pictures utilizing neo classical and art deco architecture. The theatre possesses one of the most impressive stages and proscenium arches in the country. Currently, the theatre hosts concerts, theatre, corporate functions and a variety of special events. Tours by appointment only.

Chattahoochee Theatre Ensemble, Inc.
4530 Conisburgh Way
Columbus GA 31907
JJ Musgrove, Producing Artistic Director
706-507-3475
www.ctetheatre.org
A newcomer to the "scene," the Chattahoochee Theatre Ensemble (CTE), is a professional theatre experience for the communities of Columbus, Georgia, and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley area. The CTE is dedicated to providing individual artistic growth within a collaborative environment, not only to CTE staff and personnel, but also to its audience and patrons. To this end, CTE will explore various theatre genres including, but not limited to, musical theatre, contemporary plays, children's theatre, murder mystery dinner theatre and producing new works by local playwrights.

The Human Experience Theatre
1047 Broadway
Columbus GA 31901
706-323-3689
The Human Experience (THE) Theatre is a non-profit, community theatre dedicated to preserving and enhancing the theatre arts in Columbus. THE productions include original, traditional, alternative, children's, dramatic, and musical plays in a cabaret-styled setting where you are invited to bring your own dinner.

Liberty Theatre
813 8th Avenue
Columbus GA 31901
Gayle Daniels
706-653-7566
Originally opened in 1924, the theatre hosted movies, concerts, dances and vaudeville acts, including many big-name entertainers, before closing in 1974. A non-profit organization and the city worked to obtain a federal grant in 1993 and the Liberty was restored and reopened in Nov. 1996. Today, the 300-seat theatre is once again hosting a variety of theatre, musical and special events.

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
13 East 10th Street
P O Box 2425
Columbus GA 31902
Otis Burnham
706-653-7993
www.riverarts.net

 

Welcome to a new showplace for the 21st century: a 2000-seat hall for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and touring attractions, a 450-seat recital hall and magnificent organ, an intimate 150-seat studio theater, an uptown home for the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music and support facilities for many regional organizations.

Springer Opera House
103 10th Street
Columbus GA 31901
Paul Pierce, Artistic Director
706-324-5714
www.springeroperahouse.org
Built in 1871, the Springer Opera House is a National Historic Landmark and the celebrated State Theatre of Georgia. The Springer Opera House hosts a regular season of productions, plus a variety of events by local groups.The Springer Opera House is also host of the Youth Theatre Summer Program which sells out every year.

Coca-Cola Space Science Center
701 Front Avenue
Columbus GA 31901
Dr. Shawn Cruzen, Executive Director
706-649-1470
www.ccssc.org
This attraction takes students, visitors, and corporate groups on simulated space missions with the Challenger Learning Center. The Omnisphere Theater, the showcase public portion of the center, is designed for laser light shows, interactive media performances and programs featuring the nighttime sky. It is also a venue for live theater productions, musical concerts and special events. The center also includes a Mead Observatory and a gift shop.

 

Department of Theatre
Columbus State University
4225 University Ave.
Columbus, GA 31907
Dr. Katherine E. Musgrove, Chair
706-568-2048
http://theatre.colstate.edu
The CSU Theatre Department offers a comprehensive undergraduate foundation in theatre, including acting, directing, lighting, computer-aided design, scene design, costume design, stage movement, and children's theatre. CSU Theatre program is small so the undergraduates get hands-on experience in a variety of areas. Our majors receive a solid foundation for their future careers in educational, professional, or community theatre

Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center
Columbus State University
3491 South Lumpkin Road
Columbus GA 31903
Dr. Becky Champion
706-687-4090
http://oxbow.colstate.edu
This unique facility allows visitors to touch a turtle, measure a tree, see a beaver's house or soar with a butterfly. It is a learning center where children and adults can see how the environment shapes our lives by focusing on the Chattahoochee River and adjacent wetlands.

Rankin Arts Center
Columbus State University
1004 Broadway
Columbus GA 31901
706-641-4000
Susan Wirt, Director-706-641-4075
Main Continuing Education Office-706-568-2023
http://rankinarts.colstate.edu
The Rankin Arts Center is the new downtown venue for Columbus State University's Continuing and Regional Education Services. Located in the renovated Rankin Hotel building, the Rankin Arts Center will serve as a focal point for the arts community in the UPtown area by offering classes in visual, performing, communication, literary, heritage, cultural, and culinary arts. The Rankin Arts Center includes a dance/exercise studio, three large art studios, a full kitchen for cooking classes, and multi-purpose studio space. A large lecture hall and conference rooms that preserve the historic integrity of the original Rankin Hotel, with hardwood floors and fireplaces, are also available for meetings and public functions.

Schwob School of Music
Columbus State University
4225 University Ave.
Columbus GA 31907-5645
Dr. Laurence Kaptain, Director
706-568-2049
http://music.colstate.edu
Established in 1969, the Schwob School of Music is recognized regionally, nationally, and even internationally as a center of excellence in music. Our selective student body comes from throughout the U.S., as well as the world. The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, located in the heart of the business district in UPtown Columbus, is the new home of the Schwob School of Music. This facility will be one of the finest music complexes in the country.
(Click on the image to play a track)

UPtown

Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center
801 Front Avenue
Columbus GA 31901
Larry Campbell
706-327-4522
www.columbusga.org/tradecenter
Located on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, this center was a pre-Civil War cannon manufacturer. It also produced farm implements, munitions and weapons used by the Confederacy. The renovation of the facility preserved timbers, exposed beams and old brick walls. The setting adds an historical ambiance to the meeting/dining rooms which can be set up to accommodate the smallest to the largest groups. The Convention Center has undertaken a $30 million expansion project, which will add 1000,000 square feet to the facility.

Columbus Riverwalk
Parks Services
706-653-4189
www.columbusga.org/parksandrec
Featuring red brick and ironwork, the Riverwalk is a popular promenade along the banks of the Chattahoochee River. The 12-mile Riverwalk extends south to the National Infantry Museum and north to the Chattahoochee River Club. A two-mile segment of the Riverwalk continues north from TSYS to Lake Oliver Marina.

UPtown Columbus, Inc.
1017 1st Avenue, Suite 100
P.O. Box 1237
Columbus, GA 31902
Richard Bishop, President & CEO
706-596-0111
www.uptowncolumbusga.com
UPtown Columbus, Inc. is a non-profit certified development corporation serving as the catalyst and facilitator for developing the UPtown area into a 21st century model city where people desire to visit, live, work, shop, dine and enjoy. In addition to offering small business loans and a variety of special events, UPtown Columbus, Inc. is governed by a 25-member board that focuses on financial development, marketing and publicity, master planning and retention/recruitment. UPtown Columbus, Inc. also serves as facilitator of the Business Improvement District (BID).

UPtown Business Improvement District (BID)
1226 3rd Avenue
P.O. Box 1218
Columbus, GA 31902
Col. (RET) Burnet R. Quick, President
706-322-9078
www.columbusbid.com
The new UPtown BID, designed to supplement city services in the Central Business District and market the UPtown Columbus area, was created by the property owners in a 47-block area of UPtown and began operation in January 2000. The BID Ambassadors, affectionately called the Purple People Greeters, and their clean team counterparts armed with Purple Litter Critters, make a significant contribution to the new vitality in the UPtown area by placing special emphasis on cleanliness, security and safety. A 15-member board of directors who represent the property owners governs the BID.

 

Columbus Artists' Guild
6162 Cape Cod Court
Columbus GA 31904
Lois Tryon
706-323-8139
www.columbusartistsguild.org
An organization of visual artists and interested people from throughout the region that pay a nominal fee to meet regularly and participate with others who have the same interests. Artists also receive reduced rates on show entry fees. The Guild also provides resource people to the community, i.e., schools and clubs. Also provides an assistance workshop program for needy high school students.
Free admission to most events, including Arts on the River, an annual event that takes place each October

Columbus Ballet
The Rankin Arts Center
1004 Broadway
Columbus GA 31901
David Herriott
706-641-5030
Founded in 1995, the Columbus Ballet was established to promote classical ballet in the Columbus area. Guest soloists complement the work of the company dancers to provide audiences with a unique cultural experience.

Columbus Boy Choir
The Columbus Boy Choir was established in 1985 to further enrich the musical opportunities available to young people in the Columbus area. During the past fifteen years, the Choir has been steadily building a reputation for high standards of choral excellence. The Choir provides an opportunity for boys to study and perform quality choral literature, to develop singing technique, to augment school and church music programs, and to serve as ambassadors representing the quality of life in the Columbus area through local performances and concert tours.

Muscogee County Friends of Libraries
3000 Macon Road
Columbus GA 31906
706-243-2669
An organization comprised of concerned citizens to serve as advocates to Muscogee County's Bradley Library. They enrich and promote the public library in a variety of ways. There is a membership fee to join this group; however, meetings are open to the general public.

Southeastern Music Center
P O Box 8348
Columbus GA 31908-8348
Dianna Mann Vaughn, Manager
706-649-7244
Established in 1982 to provide young musicians an opportunity to evaluate his/her talent against that of similarly directed students from this area. They assist serious music students in determining music's proper place in their lives by providing them with both educational and performance experience in orchestra and chamber group settings. This musical instruction is offered during the summer school break.

U.S. Army Infantry Center Band Operations
706-545-5313
www.infantry.army.mil/infantryband
The U.S. Army Infantry Center Band's history dates back to 1916. After several reorganizations and re-designations, the band was finally activated once again at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1955, as the 283rd Army Band. Currently the Infantry Band, with its eight performing groups, accomplishes more than 600 military missions a year that support the military and civilian communities in and around Fort Benning.
(Click on image to play an infantry tune)

Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus
P O Box 8612
Columbus GA 31908-8612
Dottie Brown, Executive Director
706-256-3614
The Youth Orchestra and String Orchestra are two separate organizations operating in cooperation with each other under a single board of directors. The goal of both ensembles is to supplement the school music experiences of the most talented string, wind, brass, and percussion players in the Columbus area by performing repertoire of the highest quality and through special master classes and sectionals led by the area's top professionals.