Eye on Travel

Eye on Travel – The Whitley Hotel in Atlanta – Pre-Covid-19

Locations in this article:  Atlanta, GA
An Eye on Travel extra… a special show we recorded earlier in Atlanta, from the Whitley Hotel. 

 

 

This week, Eye on Travel comes from the Whitley Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Meredith Evans, Director of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum, speaks about the celebration of presidencies and learning about history through their archives. Sam Massell, President of the Buckhead Coalition and Former Mayor of Atlanta, joins the show and talks about Atlanta’s unbelievable transformation and the “Atlanta state-of-mind.” Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Ph.D., Author & Curator, and CEO of Preserve Black Atlanta, speaks about Atlanta’s young generation of activists that emerged in the 1960s and the unknown names of historic Atlanta. There’s all this and more as Eye on Travel comes from the Whitley Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Ph.D., Author & Curator, Atlanta and the Civil Rights Movement,1944-1968 and CEO of Preserve Black Atlanta, speaks about the young generation of activists that emerged in the 1960s that put a lens on what was happening to African Americans. She reveals what she loves about Atlanta’s narrative, the transformation that comes from people coming together to create social change and why it’s considered to be the epicenter of the Civil Rights movement. Karcheik also discusses the Freedom Fighters, the tangible reminders that people look for when they visit the city and the unknown names of historic Atlanta.

 

Akila Sankar McConnell, Culinary Historian and Author of A Culinary History of Atlanta (American Palate), joins the show to describe her role as a culinary historian and the story behind cultural foods – and guess what, Apple Pie isn’t American, but grits are! She shares other surprising Native American foods that we still eat, how the colonists started changing and renaming foods and how the Civil War plays a role in our culinary history. She reveals Georgia’s most important food and drink, bread riots and the food hall misconceptions. Finally, she takes Peter on a food tour of Atlanta.

 

Sam Massell, President of the Buckhead Coalition and Former Mayor of Atlanta, talks about Atlanta’s unbelievable transformation and working with local non-profit organizations and helping them prosper. He chats about the Atlanta state-of-mind, eating in the city and where he’s taking Peter for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s a family-run Greek establishment where you can’t go wrong. Mayor Massell then dives into the city’s challenges.

 

Lauren Finney, Editor-in-Chief at The Atlantan Magazine, shares the word that truly defines Atlanta, the explosive Atlanta food scene and the special moments that some of local establishments hold. She thinks of Atlanta as a port city – and explains why – and speaks about the city being a hub. Lauren then chats about her favorite places to eat, breaking down the walls of “typical” Atlanta cuisine and destination shopping.

 

Gordon Jones, Senior Military Historian & Curator of the Cyclorama Exhibits at Atlanta History Center, speaks about all things military history in the city – it’s everywhere around us – and Gordon expands on embracing the period, the civil-war exhibition and the Battle of Atlanta. He then shares the history of the Texas locomotive and the outstanding history behind the now out-of-service artifact. Then, more on the museum’s surprises, the turning point that assured Union victory in Atlanta and why it’s so important in today’s political climate to understand history and the world around us.

 

Dr. Meredith Evans, Director of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum, speaks about the celebration of presidencies and learning about history through its archives. Dr. Evans speaks to some surprises and little-known facts that can be learned at the museum. Then, she reveals more on former President Jimmy Carter’s biggest surprises and how Georgia became the “Hollywood of the South” when he was governor.

 

Rand Suffolk, Director at the High Museum of Art, explains the institution’s expansive history, its transformation and the staggering amount of objects housed there. He tells of the South’s increasing reputation for being a hotbed of creativity, its collection rotations and the current exhibitions that are on display. Rand discusses the provocative ideas it hopes to instill in the minds of visitors and the truly eye opening work that was inspired by Atlanta’s own history. He shares that about 50% of the exhibition focuses and highlights women, gays and other minority art. He also talks about how it has incorporated technology to create self-guided tours.

 

Brittany Bowes, Author of 100 Things to Do in Atlanta Before You Die, chats about all things unknown in Atlanta – everything from interactive art gems to Korean spas. She reveals where to get a five-pound slice of pizza (with top secret menu items that require a call ahead). She also shares that there’s a nature preserve in the city with a historic side that not a lot of people know about. It’s 120 acres of nature and history within the city.

 

Shah Adil, Managing Director at the Whitley Hotel, goes back to the extensive history of the hotel, its iconic past and significance in the local community. Shah reveals the story behind the area’s name and the tavern that goes with it. He speaks about the region’s culture and hospitality and how it has been incorporated within the hotel. It has been designed in such a way that the classic Atlanta porch is inside. Shah then discusses room design and why it tried to steer clear from the typical hotel room design.

 

Jeff Morrison, Author of Atlanta Underground: History from Below, discusses being drawn to the railroad history and the junction that the city was built upon. Jeff also speaks to how the city has changed in terms of architecture, the fascinating spaces that still remain and the most surprising aspects of Atlanta.

 

Marc Suennemann, Executive Chef at the Whitley Hotel, shares how he uses local ingredients and starts from scratch when developing the menu. He talks about his “grown up grilled cheese”, what’s flying off the shelves and what has been staying on the shelves — and most likely will be off the shelves completely. He chats about sourcing locally and how to get some German dishes (he’s from Germany) at the Whitley. Then, he explains why although taste palates change, what people like doesn’t really change.