Welcome to a unique museum, classroom, and woodland complex located in
northeast Atlanta. Fernbank is open year round and is owned and
operated by the DeKalb County School System. Public programs at
Fernbank are designed to entertain as well as educate, to promote an
understanding of the upward spirals of science and technology, and to
communicate to each visitor the harmony and order of the natural world.
Exhibit Hall. The exhibit hall offers a wide variety of educational and aesthetic interpretations of the life and physical sciences. Permanent and changing exhibits portray the natural environment and vanishing habitats of the Southeast, and particularly of Georgia, from pre-history to the present day. Beautifully mounted taxidermy specimens and hand-fabricated plants and animals are set against sculptured terrain and painted scenery to depict Georgia's natural history and native elegance.
Highlighting the hall are an authentic Apollo spacecraft and surrounding astronomy displays including a large collection of Georgia tektites. Also prominent are the Okefenokee Swamp, a dinosaur exhibit and Treasures of the Earth, a unique geologic history of Georgia featuring a saber-toothed tiger reconstruction. As Fernbank, the visitors are encouraged to see the world with the eyes of an artist and to understand it with the appreciation of a naturalist.
Planetarium. Explore the mysteries of the universe under Fernbank's 70-foot diameter projection dome, in one of the world's largest planetariums. Marvel at over 9,000 stars of the Zeiss V projector. There will be plenty of room in the 500-seat theater for you to enjoy a fascinating star show, written and produced by the Fernbank staff. Watch for special seasonal children's shows and holiday presentations which have become Atlanta traditions!
Observatory. Fernbank's observatory houses the largest telescope in the world dedicated primarily to public education. The 36-inch reflecting telescope is used in general viewing of celestial objects, photometry of double stars and a variety of student research projects. The observatory has gained national recognition for research and programs involving students and the public in observation of major astronomical events.
Fernbank Forest. The heart of the Center is Fernbank Forest, the "school in the woods" legacy of Miss Emily Harrison, a pioneer conservationist and environmental educator. Self-guided tours along the 1.5 miles of hard-surfaced trails provide a uniquely intimate experience with nature. Individuals and family groups have the opportunity to view undisturbed examples of the area's original vegetation. Seasonal guidesheets identify native flora and fauna in the 65-acre forest. An "Easy Effort Trail" is available for those with physical impairments.
Greenhouse and Gardens. The Fernbank greenhouses and gardens are important instructional environments for teaching students and public visitors about horticulture. The greenhouses contain a diversity of plants, from orchids to cacti, and provide and exciting experience for visitors who are encouraged to enjoy the plants. The grounds adjacent to the greenhouses contain flower beds that are filled with both traditional and new varieties of annual and perennial plants. During the school year elementary, high school and special education students attend formal classes here; each student receives a plant, cutting, seedling or seed at the conclusion of class. Sunday afternoon visitors are also given a small plant.
Rose Garden. The Robert L Staton Rose Garden is maintained by Fernbank staff and vocational horticultural students. The Fernbank Rose Test Garden is part of the official test garden programs of the All-American Rose Selections and American Rose Society organizations and includes entries from throughout the nation.
Home Composting Demonstration Site. Funded under a grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the award-winning site includes numerous types of working compost bins that homeowners can easily make or buy themselves. The site also includes a vegetable garden, a butterfly garden and different species of plants used for landscaping purposes.
Library. Fernbank houses one of the leading science reference libraries in the Southeast. Over 23,000 volumes of books and journals are available. The facility offers unlimited access to scientific information for students, teachers and the general public. A collection of journals, indexes, and reference books and copying, CD ROM searches and automated card catalog services provide a variety of research tools in the natural and physical sciences.
HOURS: Forest: Sunday through Friday 2 PM to 5 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM. Rose Garden: Daily daybreak to dark. Planetarium Shows: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 3 PM; Tuesday, Thursday (summer only) 3 PM; Tuesday through Friday 8 PM; Saturday (Jan - Nov) 11 AM. Observatory: Thursday, Friday evenings 8 to 10:30 PM weather permitting. Library: Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM (Tuesday through Thursday until 9 PM during the school year), Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM.
ADMISSION: Planetarium Shows: $2 adults, $1 students, free for seniors.
DIRECTIONS: From Emory University, take Ponce de Leon Ave east. Turn left onto Artwood Rd. Turn right onto Heaton Park Dr.