From storied theatres that once hosted musical greats like Louis Armstrong, to beautifully maintained Colonial-era gardens, there’s no shortage of historical meeting and event venues across Georgia.

These types of spaces not only offer attendees a unique perspective into the event’s destination, they can also be a welcome reprise from cookie-cutter meeting and conference rooms.
We break down some of the most popular, renowned and historic event venues in Savannah, Atlanta, Macon and Athens that date as early as 1819. We also journey to the coast of Georgia to Sea Island, a private island that celebrates 92 years since it opened its first hotel, The Cloister, in 1928.

Macon
Home to 15 historic districts, Macon is a meeting planners’ dream for hosting events in historic venues. The Armory Building was completed in 1885 and was the first permanent home of volunteer military unit the Macon Volunteers. Restoration was completed in 2006, and the building is now known as the Armory Ballroom. It has the capacity for 300 attendees.

You can also find one of Georgia’s most historic houses in Macon: Hay House, which was established in 1855 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974. Built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, the distinguished structure boasts 18,000 square feet over four levels.

Rooms on the main level and downstairs can be used for meetings. For the latter, the summer dining room offers 330 square feet, and the summer living room offers 480 square feet. Both rooms can be set up with tables and chairs in various positions. A larger room available upstairs, the music room, boasts 1,104 square feet. And the double parlor offers 817 square feet. Downstairs, the scullery includes 500 square feet and tables that can’t be removed, but can be moved in various positions.

“All of these spaces are not just historic in their descriptions, but they’re visibly historic—they all have really beautiful historic architectural features,” said Trish Whitley, director of sales and services for Visit Macon.

The Douglass Theatre was founded in 1911 by Charles Douglass, a prominent black entrepreneur in Macon. The theatre was the “premier movie theatre and vaudeville hall open to African-American citizens in the city,” according to its website.

“It was one of the few places where African-Americans could perform during that time,” Whitley added. “Little Richard and Otis Redding got their start there.”

The space is also available for meetings, banquets and lectures, with a 314-seating capacity in the theatre. There are also two dressing rooms, a green room, a full sound and lighting system and technical staff available upon request. Planners can also rent the 1,500-square-foot annex that can seat 125 or hold 250 standing.

“We have unique meeting spaces, and we’re also very easy to get to,” Whitley said. “And being south enough of Atlanta, we’re very affordable, from accommodations to food and beverage.”

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