Dahlonega Gold Museum

Ask yourself this history question, "Where was the first gold rush?" Was it in California, Alaska or Georgia? If you said California or Alaska, you would be WRONG.  The first Gold rush was actually in Dahlonega, Georgia.  California was up next in the gold rush followed by the Alaskan Gold Rush. When you enter the Dahlonega Gold museum you will step back in history.  Here you will see various tools and methods used in to mine gold.  In fact, one of the first things you will see is a safe containing various amounts of real gold. Nuggets, flakes, and even spun gold.  However, no photography is allowed of the safe. The Gold Museum is located in the Lumpkin County courthouse, which was built in 1836.  The bricks were made of clay from the nearby area which contain small flecks of gold to this day.  Once you collect your jaw from the floor looking at all the gold in the safe, make your way to the next room where you will see actual scales used to weigh the gold.

Now, because of the Georgia gold rush, the U.S. Gold Mint was established in Dahlonega where U.S. gold coins were minted for distribution.  During the War of Northern Aggression (as known by the old timers in North Georgia) the mint was captured by the Confederates. After the War Between the States, the mint became the main academic and administration building to North Georgia College, and the Dome of the building is pure gold.  While your here, you will also see the method miners used to separate the gold ore from all the other rock. Once you're done with the first floor, make your way up to the second floor, which used to be the courtroom.  Here you can watch a small video further explaining the Dahlonega gold rush.  Also on the second floor you will find the hydraulic water pump used to wash away rock and expose new gold ore veins not otherwise accessible. Unfortunately, the scars of the hydro pump can still be seen today.

Once your done with the exhibit, be sure to visit the gift shop to purchase actual gold. Be warned however, since this is real gold, it will be priced accordingly. For example, a simple small panning dish refrigerator magnet, containing real gold flakes, cost about $3.50. Other items such as a gold pen, little vials of gold flakes and even a gold leaf necklace will cost more.  The shop does have other items such as coin value guides, history books, t-shirts, and even mining helmets with a flashlight for the kids.  The gold museum may be small, but the value of its legacy is rather rich....pun intended.

Entertainment: 3
Educational: 4
Price: 4
Cafe: N/A
Gift shop:  4
Overall: 4
Additional Information


Address:
NOTE! If you try to plug in the actual address of the museum, your GPS will not recognize it. The address given is the visitor center. The museum is located right across from the Visitor Center.

13 South Park St. Dahlonega, GA 30533


Prices
Adults: $6
Seniors: $5
Youth: $3.50
Children: Free
Military discount: 15% off

Hours of Operation
Monday - Saturday: 9 A.M - 5 P.M.
Sunday: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.

For more information visit: http://www.gastateparks.org/DahlonegaGoldMuseum