Preserving the past, powering the future: NS helps reunite Georgia’s railroad history

Norfolk Southern is once again making history more accessible. Thanks to a $500,000 contribution from NS, the Atlanta History Center and the Georgia Historical Society have completed a landmark archival exchange — preserving Georgia’s rich heritage and making it easier to explore.

Why it matters: This unprecedented collaboration reunites collections that have long been separated, ensuring Georgia’s history is protected and available to researchers, students, and the public for generations to come.

What’s included in the exchange:

• Atlanta History Center acquired the Central of Georgia Railway Collection from the Georgia Historical Society — nearly three football fields of records. These will now sit alongside the Southern Railway archives, forming one of the most comprehensive railroad history collections in the U.S. Both railroads are predecessors of Norfolk Southern.
• Georgia Historical Society received 12 major manuscript and photographic collections from the Atlanta History Center, including parts of the Atlanta Olympic Games photo archive and files from the Georgia Film Commission.
• This initiative continues Norfolk Southern’s longstanding partnership with the Atlanta History Center. In 2021, we donated the complete collection of Southern Railway archives, dating back to 1828. With the addition of the Central of Georgia Railway records, that story is now more complete, offering a deeper look at how rail transformed the Southeast.

The Central of Georgia archives arrive at the Atlanta History Center. Photo courtesy of the Atlanta History Center.

What they’re saying:

“By reuniting collections that have been scattered for decades, we’re opening new doors for researchers, students, and history lovers everywhere.” — Sheffield Hale, President and CEO of Atlanta History Center.

“This agreement demonstrates two nonprofits working together for the greater good. Norfolk Southern is playing a vital role in that.” — Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society.

“The story of railroads underscores how rail transportation spurred Georgia’s development by connecting cities, fueling commerce, and shaping communities throughout the Southeast. Supporting this unprecedented exchange not only honors our heritage, but it also reinforces Norfolk Southern’s commitment to connecting people, places and history.” — Kristin Wong, Director NS Foundation & Community Impact.

For more information, visit the Georgia Historical Society’s website.

A Central of Georgia heritage unit pulls intermodal freight across the U.S. Photo courtesy of Norfolk Southern.