What You Will See   

The Rogers Gallery of Contemporary Indian Art includes paintings, sculptures and other creative works. Rotating exhibits from this collection are always on display. Donated by Clarence and Margaret Rogers, these works of art represent the talents of many people with a wide range of styles and subjects. A majority of these works were created by descendants of the Southeastern Indians, many of whom now live west of the Mississippi due to the removal of their ancestors during the Trail of Tears in the 1800s.

Another permanent exhibit is "Tools of the Trades", the Sellars Collection of Antique Hand Tools. Acquired by Marietta businessman Alan Sellars, this astonishing exhibit includes thousands of tools dating from as early as the 17th century. The individual panels depict a wide variety of trades -- and the design of each panel is a work of art in itself. Why tools? Because they tell the story of the rise of craft and technology in western Europe and North America.

The Bennett Museum has a large collection of artifacts representing the Amerindian cultures that preceded the European arrival in the Southeast. Projectile points, atalatyl weights, chunky stones and pottery shards are among the cultural remains of ancient cultures. In the Long House are artifacts and text panels telling the story “Of Sky and Earth,” a narrative of the earliest encounters between Europeans and the peoples of the southeast with accompanying artifacts. This is funded by Georgia Power.

The museum’s giant Estelle Bennett Hughes HDTV Theater shows an award-winning film, "The Southeastern Indians", which gives visitors some background into the history of these native people.  The Hall of the Ancients offers more detailed historical information about the Indians and settlers. This venue offers beautifully designed dioramas depicting more than 12,000 years of regional history, as well as interactive computers with touch screens that are easily used by adults and children alike. The centerpiece of this room is a massive petroglyph donated to Reinhardt College. This ancient and mysterious carved rock was found years ago on the Cline property in the Hickory Log area of Cherokee County.

The many other artifacts displayed in this room are part of four large collections totaling more than 6,000 items from northwest Georgia. These artifacts were donated to the Funk Heritage Center from the collections of Margie and Tommy Dunn, Buck Cheeves, Hank Hitt, and Jack Richardson. The more significant pieces are exhibited chronologically and described in detail. Starting with the Paleoindian era and moving through the Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian and Historic periods, the Hall of the Ancients depicts the lifestyles and tools of our indigenous peoples.

Located on the grounds of the Funk Heritage Center is another major attraction, the Appalachian Settlement. Designed to interpret the pioneer experience, the Settlement includes authentic log cabins and other 19th century farm buildings that have been moved from their original locations in the exhibit area, then faithfully reconstructed and furnished. The structures in our village include a settler’s cabin, woodwright’s cabin,  blacksmith shop, syrup mill, grain crib, ’tater house, and threshing floor, as well as a truss bridge and a kingpost bridge.