The Patch Works Art & History Center

Why donate to The Patch Works? Because…

The Patch Works Keeps History Alive!!!

For more than 140 years, Cabbagetown has played a crucial role in Atlanta. Known since the 1970s as Cabbagetown, it began in the 1880s as Factory Lot, followed shortly after as Fulton Mill Village. For over a century, Fulton Mill Village was a strong-willed and staunchly independent mill town that formed around one of the country's most successful cotton bag companies: Fulton Bag & Cotton Mills. For generations, the mill-era residents lived in a unique, closely-knit community nestled within Atlanta's city borders.

With the factory's closure in 1981, the community transitioned from a working-class neighborhood into an artist's community... still strong-willed, staunchly independent, and very close-knit. Now, visitors from all over the world flock to Cabbagetown to experience first-hand its public artwork on display.

Cabbagetown As Pioneer...

In the late 1800s and into the early 20th century, The Mill's success helped rebuild a war-torn Atlanta, infusing Atlanta with essential institutions that will operate for many generations to come:

• The Georgia Institute of Technology
• Grady Memorial Hospital
• Westview Cemetery
• The Temple Atlanta
• And more

Today's 21st-century Cabbagetown now offers one of the country's most extensive contiguous mural exhibits and hosts some of the city's most beloved annual public festivals and events:

• Forward Warrior
• The Stacks Squares Mural Project
• Chomp & Stomp Bluegrass and Chili Festival
• The Cabbagetown Concert Series
• And more

Cabbagetown was Atlanta's First Historic Landmark District

In the 1970s, Atlanta's historians and preservationists grew increasingly alarmed about the city's habit of razing its historic structures and even entire neighborhoods. In 1975, a small group of local historians recognized the importance of Cabbagetown's history and sought to save it from the destruction other old communities had experienced. In 1976, because of their efforts, Cabbagetown was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1979, it became Atlanta's first Historic Landmark District, a designation that provides the neighborhood with the highest level of protection – based on national standards – which will ensure that Cabbagetown is preserved well into the future.

Preservation Succeeds Only if People Know Their History

The Patch Works Art & History Center strongly believes that effective preservation must start at the local level. Communities must take action to keep their stories alive.

Any city – not just Atlanta – can get overwhelmed by the magnitude of its collective neighborhood stories. Sometimes, tangible and intangible histories get lost simply because municipal resources aren't available to understand and maintain them.

This is why The Patch Works wants to see community-based museums across Atlanta. When enough of these localized museums are developed, they can tell the greater story of the city by connecting as an educational network. And The Patch Works will assist any neighborhood that wishes to make this happen.

The Patch Works NEEDS a New Home!

We are actively on the hunt for a new location. It has been far too long, and people are clamoring to see our collections, hear live music, listen to guest lectures, and participate in workshops.

Your generosity will help create a "Forever Home" for The Patch Works!

What The Patch Works Has Been Doing in 2024

• Speaking engagements: The Patch Works was invited to speak about Cabbagetown history by WREK, GA Tech, the Buckhead Heritage Group, Kiwanis Club of Atlanta, and Peachtree Hills Place (among others).
• Supporting and/or hosting neighborhood events: Forward Warrior, The Cabbagetown Tour of Homes, Chomp & Stomp, the Cabbagetown Concert Series, the Cabbagetown O-Games, and the Cabbagetown Reunion Day Festival, which has been held continuously since the early 1970s!
• Supporting and collaborating with Atlanta’s students, educators, and historical institutions: The Patch Works often assists Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University students and professors with historical and architectural research. In addition, The Patch Works collaborates with the Atlanta Preservation Center, Easements Atlanta, Historic Oakland Foundation, NPU-N, Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association, The Stacks Condominium Owners Association, and the Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts.
• Offering Walking Tours of The Mill and Cabbagetown:  The Patch Works regularly provides guided walking tours to the public. We also participate in events like the Atlanta Preservation Center's annual Phoenix Flies and the Cabbagetown Tour of Homes.

For more information on the projects currently in development, please feel free to contact us at The Patch Works!

The Patch Works Art & History Center is a US 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization and a 509(a)(2) Public Charity. Donors can deduct contributions made to The Patch Works under IRC Section 170.