The BATL Organization

BATL offers tours throughout the year, typically the second Saturday of every month. Sign up below, spaces are limited!!!

OCTOBER TOUR
October 22nd 11am, the Frontlines Walking Tour , an offshoot of our original and "staple" tour offering, The Front Lines Walking Tour travels along the front lines and to other focal points in historic East Atlanta, providing a comprehensive yet localized view of the Battle along its most contested land. Attendees will hear the human stories of the battle as well as get a sense of the troop movements from our trained tour guide. Chip Miller who has also led the BATL runners tour will be giving the tour at a slower pace. Chip lives on the battlefield in Candler Park and has been a volunteer with BATL for several years. The tour takes about an hour and a half in an easy walk along the frontlines of the historic battle and areas behind and in front of the lines where troops were on the move on July 22, 1864. Visitors will hear stories of the men who fought in this historic battle that changed the course of US history. The tour starts in front of the coffee shop at the corner of Flat Shoals Avenue and Glenwood Avenue SE.

NOVEMBER TOUR
November 19th, 10am, the Battle Began Here tour focuses on what happened in the Kirkwood area. Attendees will hear the human stories of the battle as well as get a sense of the troop movements from trained tour guides. The walking tour cover a roughly 10 block route Many guests from the metro area as well as from other states and other countries, too – have been entertained in past years by the sweep of this piece of history. Please note that these tours last approx. 1hr 30min bring water and stay hydrated it is summer in Atlanta! The tour meets at the Southeast Corner of Rogers St and Arizona Ave. DECEMBER HOLIDAY TOUR
Saturday December 31st, 11am, the Frontlines Walking Tour, perfect for entertaining out of town company or restless students home from school, The Front Lines Walking Tour travels along the front lines and to focal points in historic East Atlanta, providing a comprehensive yet localized view of the Battle along its most contested land. Attendees will hear the human stories of the battle as well as get a sense of the troop movements from our trained tour guide. Many of you know Mary Elizabeth Ellerd from her time at East Atlanta Veterinarian Clinic. She will lead this tour. The tour takes about an hour and a half in an easy walk along the frontlines of the historic battle and areas behind and in front of the lines where troops were on the move on July 22, 1864. Visitors will hear stories of the men who fought in this historic battle that changed the course of US history. The tour starts in front of the coffee shop at the corner of Flat Shoals Avenue and Glenwood Avenue SE. Tickets available on this site will be required.

JANUARY BIKE TOUR
Saturday January 21st, the Battle of Atlanta Bicycle Tour allows you to escape cabin fever. The tour will begin from the plaza at the East Atlanta Library at 1pm and go out across the 3 square mile battlefield stoping at historic sites along the 7-8 mile route ending roughly around 4pm. Noted Guide Jonah McDonald will lead the expedition sharing his interesting knowledge of the battle and the land it was fought on. This tour is most like the experience that many would have had in 1864 only instead of a horse, participants will be on a bike. They get to cover more ground in a shorter time, seeing more and hearing more of the story. Bikers will need a ticket, available on this site, as well as a bike and a helmet. The deadline for ticket purchase will be January 19 to allow for changes due to inclement weather. The rain, snow, ice date will be January 28..

FEBRUARY OFF THE ROAD AND IN THE WOODS TOUR
Saturday, February 18, 2017 (bad weather date 2/25). Go on our first Terry's Mill Run "Off-road" Hike to explore an important site of the Battle of Atlanta and East Atlanta History. Winter is the best time to go with fewer brambles, insects and other pests , but it still will require good all terrain shoes and clothing to protect from briars. We will follow the creek across the bed of the lake that was there in 1864 to the start of the mill run and the location for the famous mill. You'll hear stories of the Terry family and the men who encountered this barrier to their engagement in the Battle of Atlanta. The hike will be led by East Lake historian and neighbor Tom Harding assisted by BATL chair Henry Bryant.

MARCH PHOENIX FLIES TOUR
Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 3pm, BATL will offer a free Frontlines Tour as part of the Atlanta Preservation Center's annual Phoenix Flies event. There will be exciting tours and lectures all over Atlanta offered at no cost. As we partner with the Preservation Center, there will be limited spots for the BATL tour which regularly fills up each year. Advance Reservations with the Atlanta Preservation Center are required 404-688-3353. The tour will finish in time to enjoy dinner in the East Atlanta Village afterwards.

APRIL BATL BEGAN HERE TOUR
Saturday, April 8, 2017 10:30 AM The Battle Began Here tour focuses on what happened in the Kirkwood area. Attendees will hear the human stories of the battle as well as get a sense of the troop movements from trained tour guides. The walking tour cover a roughly 10 block route Many guests from the metro area as well as from other states and other countries, too – have been entertained in past years by the sweep of this piece of history. Please note that these tours last approx. 1hr 30min bring water and stay hydrated! The tour meets at the Southeast Corner of Rogers St and Arizona Ave.

BATL FRONTLINES TOUR
Saturday, May 13, 2017 10:30 AM O The BATL Frontlines Tour is a walking tour of the battlefield in East Atlanta. It is also BATL’s oldest with the most experienced tour guides. Visitors will hear a lot about the movements in the battle, the personalities of its major players and a lot about local history and how it interweaves with the historic battle. Tours begin in the East Atlanta Village, are an easy walk and take around an hour and a half. Tickets and Reservations are required. JULY ARTIST TALK AND ART SHOW
THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 7:00PM TALK and SATURDAY JULY 22, 2017 3:30PM RECEPTION The July 158^th Battle of Atlanta Anniversary brings a special Artist Talk at the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum on July 20^th , an Art Show in June and July at the East Atlanta Library, and an Artist Reception at the East Atlanta Library on Saturday July 22^nd at 3:30pm. The artist is Florida State University faculty member, department head and photographer Jeff Beekman. He has traveled to various Civil War battlefields and created works that compare and contrast the scenes with current culture in moving ways. The actual anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta is on July 22^nd and there will be a special Frontlines Tour offered as part of this year’s Commemoration.

AUGUST BATL IN REVERSE TOUR
Saturday, August 26, 2017 2:00pm The Battle in Reverse Tour (From Beginning to end and back again) will be announced for August 26th. This will be a longer hike taking the reverse approach to events of that fateful day in July when the Battle of Atlanta changed American History. Stay tuned to the website for information about this tour and other coming programs. Also you can watch the Porch Press for more BATL program announcements

BATL's Mission
BATL seeks to connect residents and visitors to Southeast Atlanta’s past; and promote learning through cultural tourism. The BATL event is a showcase for the diverse contributions of Atlantans to our communities since the Civil War, and highlights the roles of African Americans and women.

BATL also supports the implementation of a multi-purpose, interpretive trail connecting the neighborhoods of East Atlanta and Kirkwood.

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