We’ve passed by the Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton, Georgia, hundreds of times without really noticing what was there. However, as we drove through the area on I-75 last week, we took time to notice. And what we found is well-worth a stop-off on the way south.
The Georgia Museum of Agriculture, originally known as the Agrirama, first opened in 1976 and was developed through Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC). The living museum opened with five historically-accurate areas. Today, the complex showcases residences, farmsteads, a historic rural town, an industrial site, a grist mill, and a sawmill. The museum also features a peanut exhibit, a country store, a museum of exhibits, an art gallery, and a Vulcan steam train.
Traditional farmstead
The traditional homestead features six buildings and demonstrates the difficulties of subsistence farming in the 1870s. Three cabins, a schoolhouse, and a chapel can be toured.
Progressive farmstead
The progressive farmstead features the Gibbs’ family farm and home, the Carvey House and the Davis Grist Mill. This exhibit shows how technology made the work of the farmer easier and more profitable.
Industrial sites complex
The industrial sites complex showcases businesses that provided support for the farmers. The area includes a train station and a Vulcan steam train, a sawmill, a turpentine still, Cooper Shed where wooden barrels and other wood products were made, a blacksmith shop, and the woodworking or “variety works.”
Main Street
While many mill towns had company stores or commissaries to provide for their needs, other towns had individual stores and shopkeepers who owned their own businesses. On Main Street are the Commissary, the Print Shop, the Feed and Seed Store, the Vet Infirmary, the Drug Store, and a lawyer’s office.
Early 20th Century
The final area, Early 20th Century, highlights the technological advancements as well as advancements in the areas of medicine, leisure, and agriculture. It includes a cotton gin, a Masonic Lodge, a barbershop, a doctor’s office, the home of “the town father,” and a moonshine shack.
Other attractions
We loved the country store and it’s also the gateway to the exhibits and farmsteads. Other options include the art museum, a nature preserve, and an agricultural exhibit on where our food comes from.
The Georgia Museum of Agriculture provides entertainment and educational opportunities galore. You can easily spend hours here, or do a brief stopover to break up the drive. I strongly recommend Pit Stop Barbecue located across the road from the exhibit.
The museum is located at 1392 Whiddon Mill Road in Tifton. The country store is open Monday – Thursday from 9 am – 5 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 9 am – 6 pm. The museum exhibits are open Tuesday – Friday from 9 am – 3 pm and on Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm. Restrooms are available in the country store and on-site. Food is only available in the drug store during regular exhibit hours.
Admission prices vary, depending on the day. On Tuesday – Friday, admission is: adults $7, senior adults $6, and ages 5-16 $4. Under 4 is free. On Saturday, admission is: adults $7, senior adults $8, and ages 5-16 $5. Under 4 is free. Note the Vulcan steam train only runs on Saturday.
