The Patch Works Art & History Center

Because...

...In 2024, The Patch Works will actively work toward BUILDING A NEW HOME!!!

Yes, it’s true! We want our beloved museum back, so that we can once again exhibit our amazing collection of historical artifacts, photos, videos, and documents! We’ve already identified potential locations and financial partners, but in order to put this plan in motion…

...The Patch Works first needs to hire an architect.

Generating a realistic site plan for our Forever Home – one that would be located inside the Cabbagetown Landmark District – requires an architect who understands what it takes to design a world-class museum while also adhering to the guidelines that govern this historic neighborhood.

After this first step, The Patch Works will then start a capital campaign... next year, check our website regularly for updates.

If all goes according to plan, the museum could open in 2025!

But in the meantime, The Patch Works will still need to cover its 2024 overhead costs, which have increased to $13,850 a year.

The costs are for:

• Collections Storage in a secure and controlled environment (MAJOR price increase)
• Internet and Phone Services
• Insurance – for our collections AND for… WALKING TOURS!

Yes, once again, The Patch Works is offering WALKING TOURS!

Even without its brick-and-mortar museum, The Patch Works has been fully committed to preserving the stories of historic Cabbagetown Atlanta and keeping the community's residents engaged. Between its educational online content, collaborations with other leading preservation organizations, support of neighborhood projects and live events, and guided walking tours, The Patch Works continues to excel.

2023 was a very good year! The Patch Works:

• Won an award from the Resurgence Grant Fund: Out of 2,400 applicants, The Patch Works was one of only 500 Atlanta businesses (including for-profit organizations) to receive funding from this Invest Atlanta program that went toward recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
• Installed a Historical Marker from the Georgia Historical Society: In 2022, the Georgia Historical Society rewarded The Patch Works with an official marker dedicated to Jacob Elsas and Fulton Bag & Cotton Mills and their impact on the State of Georgia, the United States, and even the world. The historical marker was installed in May 2023 outside the back gates of The Mill.
• Supported neighborhood events: Forward Warrior, The Cabbagetown Tour of Homes, Chomp and Stomp, and the Cabbagetown Concert Series are just some examples. In addition, The Patch Works once again co-hosted the Cabbagetown Reunion Day Festival, which has been held continuously since the early 1970s!
• Brought back the Cabbagetown O-Games: We’re all still recovering…
• Supported and collaborated with Atlanta’s students, educators, and historic organizations: In 2023, The Patch Works assisted Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University students and professors with historical and architectural research. In addition, The Patch Works teamed up with the Atlanta Preservation Center, Easements Atlanta, Historic Oakland Foundation, NPU-N, Cabbagetown Neighborhood Improvement Association, The Stacks Condominium Owners Association, and representatives of the City of Atlanta to act as a Consulting Party on several occasions, providing critical feedback on proposed projects that could potentially damage historic preservation efforts in the community for many years to come. For more information on this topic, please contact The Patch Works directly.
• Co-Chaired The Stacks Arts & Artifacts Committee: The Stacks – the name of the condominium side of the rehabilitated Fulton Bag & Cotton Mills – has created a committee that is focusing on improving how the history of The Mill is presented to the public (by adding more artifacts, photos, didactic signage, etc.). In addition, it will install art exhibits around the mill community. The goal is to create a space that truly offers the rich history of The Mill to all who enter.
• Offered Walking Tours of The Mill and Cabbagetown:  The Patch Works started offering regular guided tours once again, participating in collaborative events such as the Atlanta Preservation Center's annual Phoenix Flies and the Cabbagetown Tour of Homes.
• Wrote history articles for the Cabbagetown Neighbor:  Since 2021, The Patch Works has been writing informative yet fun history articles for Cabbagetown's monthly newsletter, the Cabbagetown Neighbor. Who says learning can't be enjoyable???
• Added more digital content to its website: more videos, photos, history articles, and news!

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.