Atlanta Feature

Gone With the Wind enthusiasts coming to Atlanta for the first time are often disappointed to discover that Scarlett O'Hara's beloved plantation, Tara, was no more real than Scarlett herself. But history buffs can find antebellum treasures in towns like Marietta and Kennesaw (about 20 mi northwest of Atlanta) and Roswell (about 23 mi north of Atlanta).

Marietta Museum of History. The Marietta Museum of History, on the second floor of the historic 1845 Kennesaw House, traces the history of Cobb County. 1 Depot St., Marietta, GA, 30060. 770/794-5710. www.mariettahistory.org. $7. Mon.-Sat. 10-4.

Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum. Props, costumes, and artifacts here pay homage to the movie and Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel. 18 Whitlock Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30064. 770/794-5576. www.gwtwmarietta.com. $7. Mon.-Sat. 10-5.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield. The 2,884-acre Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield was the site for crucial battles in 1864. The National Park Service maintains 16 mi of well-used hiking trails. A small museum has uniforms, weapons, and other items from the era. 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr., Kennesaw, Atlanta, GA, 30152. 770/427-4686. www.nps.gov/kemo. Free. Park: Dawn to dusk. Visitor center: Daily 8:30-5.

Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The fascinating Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History is the home of the General, a locomotive stolen by Union forces from the Confederates during the Civil War. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw, GA, 30144. 770/427-2117. www.southernmuseum.org. $7.50. Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 11-6.

Barrington Hall. Completed in 1842, Barrington Hall is widely recognized as one of the nation's best examples of Greek Revival architecture. 535 Barrington Dr., Roswell, GA, 30075. 770/640-3253. www.barringtonhall-roswell.com. $8. Mon.-Sat. 10-3, Sun. 1-3. Tours on the hour.

Bulloch Hall. Mittie Roosevelt, mother of President Teddy Roosevelt and grandmother of Eleanor Roosevelt, lived in this Greek Revival house (1839) as a child. It has a nice museum shop. 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell, GA, 30075. 770/992-1731. www.bullochhall.org. $8. Mon.-Sat. 10-3, Sun. 1-3. Tours on the hour.

Archibald Smith Plantation. The original furniture of the Archibald Smith family fills the plantation house here. 935 Alpharetta St., Roswell, GA, 30075. 770/641-3978. $18. Mon.-Sat. 10-3, Sun. 1-3. Tours offered on the hour.