It was the largest classical monument created in the United States since the Jefferson Memorial in 1943.[1] At 82 feet tall, it also surpassed the 77 foot tall Big Chicken and became the largest roadside attraction in Georgia.[2]
The monument celebrates peaceful accomplishment and its supporters see celebrating classicism as celebrating democracy.[1][2] The design was a collaboration of Rodney Mims Cook Jr and Hugh Petter of ADAM Architecture to refine the 10 winning entries from a design in competition in 2000.[3][4] It is a project of the National Monuments Foundation.[2]
History
The Millennium Gate Museum opened July 4, 2008, and cost approximately $20 million.[5] CollinsCooperCarusi, Atlanta were the architects of record. Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill was the curator of the period rooms. Tunnell and Tunnell were the landscape architects. The arch had originally been intended for a location in Washington, DC, but failed to gain sufficient official support.[6]
The design is embellished with sculptural allegory by Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart, telling the story of peaceful accomplishment of the last 2000 years. Stoddart's Peace and Justice Gates flanking the arch were given the 2006 Palladio Award for best American design of a public space.[citation needed]
The arch inscription reads, in Latin: "This American monument was built to commemorate all peaceful accomplishment since the birth of Jesus Christ in the year of our Lord, MM."[6]
The initial response to the museum was mixed, with some critics claiming that the design was inappropriate to the site or the city,[2][7] but the building was gaining acceptance after its first year installed.[6][verification needed]
Design competition winners
The names of the 10 winners of the 2000 Millennium Gate Design Competition are carved into the base of the monument:
The Museum houses 12,000sqft (1,100m2) of gallery space. They are arranged in a series of Savannah double parlors by century, the enfilade created as a result ends at an exedra cloister with a monumental bronze bust of President George Washington.[citation needed]
Beginning with pre-ColumbianNative American history and 16th century Spanish settlement of the coast, the 18th Century Georgia Pioneer Gallery focuses on General James Oglethorpe's creation of the Colony of Georgia. The gallery contains documents and historical artifacts from the American Indian, Spanish, British Colonial, and American Revolutionary periods.[citation needed]
The 19th and 20th Century galleries narrate the story of Atlanta's and Georgia's early history. The exhibition features photographs and artifacts from twenty of Atlanta's pioneering families.[citation needed]
In partnership with Georgia Tech's Interactive Media Technology Center, the museum has created the 21st Century Interactive Gallery, allows visitors to explore Atlanta and how philanthropy has changed the city over time.[citation needed]
