Title Page of GHS's First Publication. 1840 Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, volume one

Telling the Story of Georgia for Nearly Two Centuries

The Georgia Historical Society has been publishing Georgia history almost since its founding and it remains committed to this vital part of our mission. In 1840, in an effort to facilitate research on Georgia history and increase access to its collections, GHS launched an ambitious publications program, which initially consisted of transcribing and publishing many of its most significant manuscripts.

Just one year after its founding in 1839, GHS published its first book of transcribed primary materials; the following year, it broadened its scope by publishing the first scholarly history of the state, William Bacon Steven's two-volume History of Georgia. Since that time, more than 100 books and pamphlets have been published by GHS, including more than twenty volumes in its popular GHS Collections series.

In 1917 GHS further expanded its publications program by launching The Georgia Historical Quarterly, a scholarly publication featuring articles, book reviews, photo essays, and edited primary materials related to Georgia history. Today, the Quarterly is recognized as the journal of record for Georgia history and as one of the finest state historical publications in the nation, for which it received a Governor's Award in the Humanities in 2000.

To complement the Quarterly, GHS recently unveiled Georgia History Today, a popular history newsmagazine dedicated to examining the ongoing presence of the past. Georgia History Today explores efforts underway around the state to promote history, including articles on some of the fascinating documents and artifacts in our collection, historic sites, new books being published, and the programs and activities of our affiliates throughout Georgia. It also focuses on the many Georgians who are making a difference in how history is preserved and taught, both through their time and their resources.

The Georgia Historical Society remains as committed to publishing Georgia history today as it did when it produced its first volume nearly 175 years ago.

This website is made possible in part by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this site do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.