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This October, a piece of Atlanta film history returns to The Georgian Terrace.

As part of our 115th anniversary celebration, we are thrilled to partner with the Gone With the Wind Museum at Brumby Hall and Gardens in Marietta to showcase two of the most recognizable costume designs associated with Gone With the Wind: Scarlett O’Hara’s dramatic burgundy “Red Party Dress” and the legendary green drapery dress.

For a hotel so closely connected to one of the most famous moments in Atlanta film history, we can think of few more fitting ways to celebrate 115 years of stories on Peachtree Street.

The Georgian Terrace and the 1939 Atlanta Premiere

Long before Atlanta became one of the world’s major film and television production destinations, Hollywood descended upon Peachtree Street for the Atlanta premiere of Gone With the Wind.

The film premiered at Loew’s Grand Theatre on December 15, 1939, and The Georgian Terrace played its own starring role in the festivities. The premiere brought the film’s director and nearly all of its stars to The Georgian Terrace for a gala premiere party, placing the hotel at the center of one of Atlanta’s most memorable cultural moments.

More than eight decades later, visitors can still walk through the same historic hotel on Peachtree Street.

And this October, two unforgettable Scarlett O’Hara looks are helping us tell that story again.

A Special Partnership with the Gone With the Wind Museum

We are especially excited to present this anniversary display in partnership with the Gone With the Wind Museum at Brumby Hall and Gardens, an institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the history surrounding Margaret Mitchell’s novel, the 1939 film and its enduring cultural legacy.

Located in historic Brumby Hall in Marietta, Georgia, the museum houses an extensive collection of Gone With the Wind memorabilia, including costumes, rare artifacts, original Walter Plunkett costume sketches and pieces connected to the film’s historic Atlanta premiere.

The partnership brings together two Atlanta-area destinations with unique connections to the story: a museum dedicated to preserving its history and the hotel that helped welcome Hollywood to Atlanta for the film’s legendary 1939 premiere.

The Red Party Dress

Few costumes capture Scarlett O’Hara’s personality quite like the striking burgundy gown associated with one of the film’s most memorable scenes.

Costume designer Walter Plunkett created Scarlett’s wardrobe to do far more than dress the character. Her clothing helped communicate changes in circumstance, confidence and status throughout the story.

The dramatic burgundy ball gown—often called Scarlett’s “red party dress”—was designed in deeply saturated velvet and embellished with ornate details, including beadwork and feather trim.

The result was intentionally impossible to ignore.

In the film, Rhett Butler insists Scarlett wear the conspicuous gown to Ashley Wilkes’ birthday party. Against the more restrained clothing surrounding her, the rich color and extravagant silhouette make Scarlett stand apart from everyone else in the room.

The original burgundy ball gown worn by Vivien Leigh is today preserved as part of the David O. Selznick collection at the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

The Legendary Green Drapery Dress

Then there is the dress that became a piece of movie history.

Faced with desperate circumstances, Scarlett looks at the green velvet curtains hanging at Tara and sees something entirely different: a new dress.

The resulting green curtain dress, also known as the drapery or portieres dress, became one of the most recognizable costumes in American cinema.

Designed by Walter Plunkett, the ensemble uses rich green velvet to create the appearance of an extravagant dress fashioned from household draperies. Curtain-inspired details—including the memorable tassels—complete the transformation.

The costume is memorable not simply because of how it looks, but because of what it represents within the story: Scarlett’s determination and resourcefulness as she transforms what remains around her into exactly what she needs.

Decades later, the green drapery dress remains one of the costumes most closely associated with Gone With the Wind and Hollywood’s Golden Age.

See the Dresses at The Georgian Terrace This October

Throughout our 115th anniversary celebration this October, guests and visitors will have the opportunity to see these two legendary Scarlett O’Hara dress designs on display at The Georgian Terrace, presented through our special partnership with the Gone With the Wind Museum at Brumby Hall and Gardens.

Their arrival brings together two chapters of Atlanta history.

The Georgian Terrace first opened its doors in 1911, quickly establishing itself as one of Atlanta’s grand hotels. Twenty-eight years later, the excitement surrounding the Atlanta premiere of Gone With the Wind brought Hollywood stars, filmmakers and guests through those doors.

Now, 115 years after the hotel opened, we're celebrating the people, stories and unforgettable moments that have unfolded here.

The dresses are part of that celebration—and another reason to step inside, explore the hotel and experience a piece of Atlanta history for yourself.

Continue the Story at the Gone With the Wind Museum

For guests who would like to explore even more Gone With the Wind history during their visit to Atlanta, the story doesn't have to end at The Georgian Terrace.

The Gone With the Wind Museum at Brumby Hall and Gardens is located in Marietta, approximately 20 miles from The Georgian Terrace. Housed within historic Brumby Hall, the museum features an extensive collection celebrating Margaret Mitchell’s novel and the film, including original and rare memorabilia, costumes, artwork and Walter Plunkett costume sketches.

Visitors can also explore the surrounding gardens and see pieces of the original Tara film façade displayed at the Carriage House.

For fans of the film, classic Hollywood, costume design or Atlanta history, a stay at The Georgian Terrace paired with a visit to the museum offers a unique opportunity to experience two destinations connected to the Gone With the Wind story.

115 Years of Stories on Peachtree Street

The Gone With the Wind premiere is only one chapter in The Georgian Terrace's remarkable history.

Since 1911, the hotel has welcomed generations of Atlantans, travelers, performers and notable guests. Arthur Murray taught dance lessons here before building his famous dance-school empire. Hollywood arrived for the Gone With the Wind festivities in 1939. Walt Disney later stayed at the hotel during another Atlanta film premiere. And decades later, the building became home to the legendary Electric Ballroom, which welcomed some of the biggest names in music.

Through it all, The Georgian Terrace has remained one of Peachtree Street's most recognizable landmarks.

This October, we invite you to help us celebrate 115 years of history, hospitality and stories—and experience a little Hollywood history along the way.

Visit The Georgian Terrace this October to see the Gone With the Wind dress display and discover the stories behind 115 years of an Atlanta icon.