As the United States mobilized for WWII, Georgians answered their Nation’s call

Southern states were critical to the war effort during World War II (1941-1945), and none more so than Georgia. Over 300,000 Georgians served in the military, and thousands of civilians worked in rapidly expanding wartime industries.

Explore our state’s legacy of inspiring wartime stories at the museums that make up Georgia’s World War II Heritage Trail

As the United States mobilized for war abroad, federal defense dollars flooded the South in the form of military installations and defense contracts. At bases throughout Georgia, servicemen and women were trained in many forms of warfare, to include Infantry, Parachute, Glider, and Armored forces. Innovative tactics and technologies were at the center of much of Georgia’s war effort. As military leaders grasped the importance of new strategies, the training of pilots, paratroopers, and radar operators became a top priority. Once abroad, servicemen from Georgia experienced all the harsh realities of war – from home sickness and combat to capture by the enemy.

Additionally, Georgia threw its industrial might behind the war effort. Citizens on the Home Front actively supported the war by doing everything from buying war bonds to working in the two Liberty shipyards located in the state. Job opportunities opened up for women, African Americans and other groups as industries mobilized, requiring tens of thousands of workers.

World War II Home Front Museum
National Prisoner of War Museum
Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia
Currahee Military Museum
World War II Flight Training Museum
Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame
National Museum Of The Mighty Eighth Air Force
Museum Of Aviation
National Infantry Museum
St Marys Submarine Museum
Thomaston Goes To War

Visit All Of Our Sites

Click on each for more details

Take flight in a World War II airplane, build a Liberty ship, explore a pilot training base, march in the boots of the Band of Brothers, and learn personal stories of courage, character and patriotism. Suggested routes for North Georgia, Middle Georgia, and the Coast make it easy to experience two or three locations over a weekend.

Weekend Routes

The Coast

Middle Georgia

North Georgia

Currahee Military Museum

Toccoa
Location

160 North Alexander Street
Toccoa, Georgia 30577

Phone

(706) 282-5055

Nearest Airport

Toccoa-Stephens County Airport (KTOC)

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Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia Museum

Peachtree City
Location

1200 Echo Court
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269

Phone

(678) 364-1110

Nearest Airport

Atlanta Regional Falcon Field (KFFC)

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Thomaston Goes To War

Thomaston
Location

This trail partner has two sites!

Site 1: Thomaston-Upson Archives
301 S Center Street
Thomaston, Georgia 30286

Site 2: The Upson Historical Society, Pettigrew-White-Stamps House Museum
800 S Church Street
Thomaston, Georgia 30286

Phone

Thomaston-Upson Archives: (706) 646-2437

Pettigrew-White-Stamps House Museum: (706) 601-3610

Nearest Airport

Thomaston-Upson County Airport

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Museum of Aviation & Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame

Warner Robins

Location

1942 Heritage Boulevard
Warner Robins, Georgia 31098

Nearest Airport

Middle Georgia Regional Airport (KMCN)

Nearest Airport

Perry-Houston County Airport (KPXE)

Museum of Aviation

Phone

(478) 923-6600

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Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame

at the Museum of Aviation at their Century of Flight Hanger
Phone

(478) 327-5376

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National Infantry Museum

Columbus
Location

1775 Legacy Way
Columbus, Georgia 31905

Phone

(706) 685-5800

Nearest Airport

Columbus Airport (KCSG)

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National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

Pooler
Location

175 Bourne Avenue
Pooler, Georgia 31322

Phone

(912) 748-8888

Nearest Airport

Savannah Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)

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National Prisoner of War Museum

Andersonville
Location

496 Cemetery Road
Andersonville, Georgia 31711

Phone

(229) 924-0343

Nearest Airport

Jimmy Carter Regional Airport (KAJC)

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World War II Flight Training Museum

Douglas
Location

3 Airport Circle
Douglas, Georgia 31535

Phone

(912) 383-9111

Nearest Airport

Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport (KDQH)

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World War II Home Front Museum

St. Simons Island
Location

4201 First Street
St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522

Phone

(912) 634-7098

Nearest Airport

McKinnon- St. Simons Island Airport (KSSI)

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St. Marys Submarine Museum

St. Marys
Location

102 St Marys St. W
St Marys, Georgia 31558

Phone

(912) 882-2782

Nearest Airport

Jacksonville International Airport (KJAX)

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