Join us for a tour that recaptures the first baseball game in Atlanta and examines the lives of the players taking part in this historic game.

Imagine looking west beyond the main gates of Oakland to a lush patch of green grass complete with a baseball diamond. Beyond the playing field is a city devastated and still emotionally smoldering from General Sherman’s fires. Red flags hang from the doors of homes housing people with smallpox. It is May 12, 1866, and the city desperately needs something to celebrate. On this day, the Gate City Nine and the Atlanta Baseball Club took to the field to play the first baseball game in Atlanta.

This tour starts at 11:00 AM. Please arrive a few minutes early to check in at the Oakland Store, located inside the Visitor Center (374 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, SE). Restrooms, snacks, and water are available at the Visitor Center.

Spaces are limited, so we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. 

Historic Oakland Foundation Members

Historic Oakland Foundation memberships include free tickets for Oakland Tour. Check your membership level before you purchase. Individual members receive one (1) ticket, dual members two (2) tickets, and family memberships four (4) tickets. Members should enter the email address associated with their membership to receive access to free tickets.

Accessibility

Not all areas of Historic Oakland Cemetery are wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you need an accessible route when purchasing your ticket by emailing info@oaklandcemetery.com. There is designated parking for vehicles with a disability permit by the Visitors Center. Please be aware that the main entrance of the Cemetery is paved with cobblestones and the East Gate entrance has a step.

ASL interpreter available if given three days (72 hours) notice before the start of the tour.