For more than a century, the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center has been a place of inspiration and education for the local community as well as travelers who visit from around the world.

The astounding history of this building represents a commitment to higher education and an ongoing love affair with the arts in Madison for over a century (2020 marks the building’s 125th year!).

Today, the Center enriches the lives of those who visit by presenting high-quality programming and educational opportunities, including:

• a history museum highlighting Madison, Morgan County, and the lower Piedmont region with special attention to the Cultural Center’s 1895 school building, featuring an original 1896 classroom
• a theatre hosting a variety of theatrical productions, performances, classical and popular music as well as non-musical presentations such as storytelling, dance, and humanities lectures
• rotating visual art galleries and a limited permanent collection such as the Arts and Crafts Gallery
• programs specifically designed for school-age children

Among the Center’s signature events held annually are the Do Tell! Storytelling Festival, Madison Antiques Show & Sale, Chamber Music Festival, and – a sell-out favorite for more than 40 years – the Grammy award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony performs an annual holiday concert at the Center’s elegant and original, wooden, apse-shaped theatre. The Center is also responsible for hosting Madison’s renowned Spring Tour of Homes. Learn more about current programming at mmcc-arts.org.

The History of Madison’s First Graded Schoolhouse

The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center is located in Madison’s 125 year-old schoolhouse, which is one of the first graded public schools in the Southeast. In 1895, Madison’s first graded school was built in the iconic Romanesque revival style that was prominent of the late 19th century.

The red brick that is used looms distinct from many of the white columned mansions that were popular in Madison’s earlier architecture. But what truly makes this building unique from many others of the era is that it notably had different rooms for teaching each grade level, grades one through seven, rather than the only one- to two-room schoolhouses that were commonly used for educating children of multiple grade levels. Despite some changes, Madison’s graded school was used to educate children from 1895 to 1957 continuously.

At that point, the population of Madison simply outgrew the schoolhouse and it was left abandoned. In the 1960’s the Morgan County Foundation was founded with the intent of determining the future of this historic building. After a brief transition to a library, on July 6, 1976, the Center made its home in this beautiful historic building and began to delight the community with its programming committed to the arts, humanities, and history of Madison.

Hours*: 

Tuesday – Saturday:

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Admission Notice: The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center is currently not charging admission but instead ask that patrons consider making a donation.

Admissions:

• Adults: $5
• Seniors: $4
• Students: $3
• Children 6 and under: Free
• MMCC Members: Free

*Please refer to mmcc-arts.org for the most up-to-date information on hours, holidays and other possible changes to the schedule.