A walk through the new museum reveals stunning photographic displays, cases of historical artifacts and mannequins who help tell the tale of Cherokee County.
But the new museum is anything but archaic and dusty. Instead, it employs the latest technology to reveal the past in a thoroughly modern way.
With the use of five Apple iPads on interactive kiosks, visitors can learn about gold mining, slavery and the Trail of Tears among other topics.
To further enhance the experience, the museum will offer some real life stories from Cherokee County residents.
Hear from Little Fourkiller, a 10-year-old Native American about what his time in Cherokee County was like.
Or visit with Clara Bedell, a young 18-year-old woman who lived in Canton and Waleska in 1902 and wrote down her life experiences at Reinhardt Normal School in a diary that survived time.
William Grisham, one of the founding fathers of Canton, and Magnolia Thomas, an African-American teacher in Woodstock in 1930, also share their stories.
While all of north Georgia shares a history, Cherokee County has many unique aspects that make it a central locale and its people an integral part of the state's narration.
Of course, as a native, I personally love our past. From the days of the Cherokee Indians to the gold rush to the cotton mill to today's suburban community, Cherokee County is special in my eyes.
But whether you have lived here a lifetime or only a short time, the new museum opens doors on our history and invites you into an exciting experience.
If you haven't been into the white marble courthouse in downtown Canton where the museum is housed, then it in itself is worth a visit.
The museum is housed in the front office where the probate court offices were once located.
In the early 1990s when plans to build the new Justice Center were on the drawing board, the fate of the building that almost defines our county seat's downtown area was uncertain.
Fortunately, the building was saved, and the county restored it to its historical 1928 glory and authenticity, while giving it new life as offices for various organizations.
The Cherokee County Historical Society eventually located there, as well as the county's state court, U.S. Congressman Tom Price's local office and other entities that serve the community.
The building at one time housed the jail as well, and it is a museum of sorts of its own these days up on the fourth floor of the building.
The main courtroom, the scene of a multitude of court dramas big and small over the decades, was put back to a somewhat original state.
The building stands as a monument to our history, its white marble fa ade telling of the times when marble was a significant product of the community, hinting at the importance of Cherokee County in state commerce and business and reminding us of the glamour of the days before the Great Depression.
So it is a proper home for the new museum that tells of our past.
Of course, no project like this gets done without many hands and minds.
Cherokee County Historical Society Executive Director Stefanie Joyner and archivist Megan Nepper worked non-stop for months to ensure the success of the new museum.
The duo breathed life into the project and literally brought the space into existence as a wonderful living monument to our history.
Legions of volunteers participated in the project, and even as I write, they continue to put the finishing touches on the project.
The Downtown Development Authority of Canton helped with the Visitor's Center, which will offer information about what the city, county and surrounding area, as well as the state has available for those visiting.
Best of all, the museum opens today to the public, and admission is free.
So stop by the old white marble courthouse from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and step back in time.
You'll be glad you did.
Rebecca Johnston is former editor of The Cherokee Tribune.
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