Dahlonega Gold Museum shines brighter than ever

DAHLONEGA, Ga. - Mention Dahlonega to people here in North Georgia, and one word will most likely come to their minds: Gold.  And now, the rich history of gold in Dahlonega is shining brighter than ever thanks to the newly-renovated Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site.

The Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site officially reopened to the public in June, bringing a new luster to the historic building which served as the Lumpkin County Courthouse beginning in 1836.  The restoration work began in January of 2018, but design planning stretched back several years, with a goal to transport visitors back to the 1940s. 

New museum exhibits focus on the courthouse itself, the period of time known as the Dahlonega Gold Rush, and the local branch of the Federal Mint.  Along with these exhibits, the museum has opened two escape rooms: “Hung Jury” takes guests back to 1855 on a search for hidden clues to crack the code and escape the jury room, while “Mystery at the Mint” brings 1862 Dahlonega to life.

The Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site is located at 1 Public Square in Dahlonega and is open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Sundays.  Admission is $8.50 for adults, $6 for youth ages seven to 17, and free for kids six and under.  Tickets to the escape rooms are $15 per person and reservations must be made in advance. 

Good Day Atlanta’s Paul Milliken is a fun of history, escape rooms, and…gold, of course!  So how could he pass up the opportunity to spend the morning at the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site, exploring all the new additions?