Phoenix Flies 2025
Nina and Jacob Elsas from The Patch Works will be leading walking tours at TWO separate sites for this year’s Phoenix Flies! Head to the official program and look for them (AND look at the other great opportunities while you’re there!).
“Why give tours at both of these sites?” you might ask. Because there is a symbiotic relationship between them. The Atlantic/Southeastern Compress & Warehouse would compress and store the cotton used to make bags at Fulton Bag & Cotton Mills.
The description, dates, and times for each tour are as follows:
The Historic Fulton Bag & Cotton Mills Guided Tour
Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts, The Stacks at Fulton Cotton Mill, and The Patch Works cordially invite you to enjoy a guided walking tour of Cabbagetown’s historic Fulton Bag & Cotton Mills, which from 1996 to 2008 was rehabilitated and converted into a residential community. Tours will be led by Jacob and Nina Elsas, who will take guests on a journey that began in 1881 during the New South’s push for industrialization. Learn about “The Mill” – its founding; its years of growth and prosperity, and its eventual downfall; its labor unrest; and its race relations – and also come to better understand the people who once lived in its mill town: Fulton Mill Village.
Learn about The Mill’s significant impact on rebuilding Atlanta after the Civil War and how it influenced labor practices in the South. You will discover a unique gem – the last of its kind in Fulton County – that has withstood natural disasters, abandonment, and, ultimately, the threat of demolition.
StudioPlex on Auburn at The Atlantic/Southeastern Compress & Warehouse Historical Tour
Experience a unique tour of StudioPlex on Auburn at The Atlantic Southeastern Compress & Warehouse building, featuring a journey through its 19th and 20th century histories. Our tour guides will share stories about the people and events that have shaped the building’s evolution, from cotton compress to artist community.
You’ll see the National Register plaques for the first time and get a rare look inside the Water Tower with its commemorative mural. The tour will also include gallery pop-ups featuring acclaimed local artists from the original artists’ community, special guests, and retro cocktails and music.
MORE ABOUT PHOENIX FLIES
The 2025 Phoenix Flies celebration will take place from March 3–28, 2025, bringing together 102 partners to offer over 150 unique events that showcase Atlanta’s rich history and architecture.
The full program, including event details and partner information, can be found here.
All events require registration, which opens on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 10 a.m. via preserveatl.eventbrite.com. Mark your calendar and don’t miss this opportunity to explore and celebrate Atlanta’s heritage!
