Georgia State Graduates Enrich Atlanta’s Culture Through Walking Tours
Located in the heart of Atlanta, two Georgia State graduates, Lisa Flaherty (M.H.P. ’15) and Amy Durrell (M.H.P. ’22), have taken steps to make the city’s rich culture and history accessible to everyone with the launch of a historical walking tour business called History Afoot Atlanta.
Bringing Atlanta’s History to Life
After launching in September 2022, History Afoot Atlanta has been remarkably successful in hosting tours that visit some of Atlanta’s historical hotspots, such as the Ponce City Market and the Old Fourth Ward, as well as along the Atlanta BeltLine. “Every tour is different,” Durrell said, “It’s all about experiencing a place and sharing the knowledge with other people.”
These educational tours venture more in-depth by highlighting the mid-20th-century achievements of Atlanta’s women, investigating the civil rights movement, and exploring Atlanta’s architectural history and evolution into a bustling transportation hub.
Pivotal Support from Georgia State University
The idea for the unique walking tour was born during their years in the Master of Heritage Preservation (M.H.P.) program at Georgia State University. The program is aimed at preparing students for careers related to the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage. Durrell noted that her professors were the ones who suggested she bring her historian training to the field of guided history tours in Atlanta.
Flaherty and Durrell are not merely conducting successful walking tours; they’re also giving back to their alma mater by hosting special tours for current students at Georgia State University. They also support local history nonprofits by sharing new historical information about the sites they tour.
Making a Difference through Education
“We’re striving to promote the notion that people should be learning about the origins of our city,” said Durrell. In this way, they are doing more than just learning and imparting knowledge with their History Afoot Atlanta enterprise. They are effectively informing locals and visitors about the history of their city, fostering an appreciation for the culture and architecture of Atlanta, and instilling a sense of pride in the city’s heritage.
Their innovative and impactful efforts were acknowledged by Chad Keller, the director of the Heritage Preservation program at Georgia State University, who expressed his admiration for his students’ innovative use of their degree. “Our program prepares students to think creatively about how they can contribute to the work of evolving our collective historical narratives,” said Keller.
