Historic Site
(706) 864-2257
Twenty years before the famed 1849 gold rush in California, thousands of prospectors flocked into the Cherokee Nation in north Georgia, marking the true beginning of our country's first gold rush. Their dramatic story is told inside the historic 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, the oldest courthouse in Georgia.
Dahlonega prospered with this mining activity, and a U.S. Branch Mint opened in 1838, coining more than $6 million in gold before closing in 1861. The museum's exhibits include a set of these coins, a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle used to blast soil from mountainsides, a film and gift shop. Visitors can also explore the courthouse features, including beautiful wooden chapel seats from 1889 and the judge's chambers. The town of Dahlonega is a popular destination for gold panning, shopping and sightseeing.
NOTICE: Some exhibits are on the second floor and are not wheelchair accessible. Guidelines from the National Register of Historic Places prevent the addition of an elevator to this building.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM-5 PM; Sunday 10AM-5PM
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Admission: $3.50-$5.
Group rates available with advance notice.
www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/DahlonegaGoldMuseum
Selected as a "Readers Choice" site in Georgia Magazine, October 2009.
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Note: Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site has no reservable facilities.
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Events
Bear on the Square Mountain Festival
Friday, Saturday & Sunday Apr 16, 2010 until Apr 18, 2010
| Old time and bluegrass music will fill the Historic Public Square in Dahlonega. There will be on-stage performances by local, regional, and national musicians and the marketplace features traditional mountain art and crafts. Be sure to tour the Gold Museum as part of your music filled weekend. $3.50 - $5 706-864-3513. |
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Appalachian Jam
Saturdays 2 PM - 5 PM until Oct 9, 2010
 Every Saturday starting April 17 until October 9, come listen to the sounds and songs of yesteryear. North Georgia's mountain music singers and pickers will appear on the grounds of the historic Dahlonega Gold Museum. Enjoy acoustic and old-time strings as the sounds of yesterday fill the air. 706-864-3513. |
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A Day In A Miner's Life
Saturday, Jun 5, 2010 9 AM to 4:45 PM
| Peek back at life in the 1830s with demonstrations on gold panning, blacksmithing, shingle making, pioneer tools, candle making, folk toys, spinning, pine needle basket making and more. $3.50-$5. 706-864-2257. |
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A Tribute To Georgia Authors
Saturday, Jul 24, 2010 9 AM to 4:45 PM
| Meet local and national authors who will bring their newest releases and older favorites. They will be glad to sign copies and add personal notes. $3.50- $5. 706-864-2257. |
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Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega
Saturday & Sunday Oct 16, 2010 until Oct 17, 2010
| Celebrate the 1828 discovery of gold that started the first gold rush in the United States... $3.50 - $5 706-864-3513. |
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Dahlonega Gold Museum Christmas Open House
Sunday, Dec 5, 2010
| As part of Dahlonega's Old Fashion Christmas, the Gold Museum has free admission on the first Sunday in December. Come learn about America's first gold rush while enjoying warm apple cider and cookies. Afterward, enjoy the sites and sounds of Christmas on Dahlonega's historic town square. 706-864-2257. |
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Specials
