The Leon and Rachel Gathany Museum of Natural History

07/29/2026

Our new friend, Emmett, visited the The Leon and Rachel Gathany Museum of Natural History and had his picture taken with Winnie the Pooh.

07/27/2026

We are setting up a Winnie the Pooh statue at the museum for photo ops.

A soldier bought a bear cub at a train station on his way to the front. Harry Colebourn was a Canadian vet who named the orphaned cub Winnipeg, after his hometown.

She became his regiment's mascot, sleeping under his cot while the troops trained for WWI.

When his brigade shipped out, he left her at a London zoo. She was so gentle that keepers let a boy named Christopher Robin climb inside her enclosure to feed her by hand.

He renamed his teddy bear after her, and Pooh was born.

07/26/2026

Leon Gathany's collections are featured in The Leon and Rachel Gathany Museum of Natural History.

The museum had over 30 visitors yesterday, July 25th, including 7 children who completed the Scavenger Hunt. The Scavenger Hunt is a 15 question exercise that can be answered by touring the museum, reading the display labels and writing the answers. The Hunt is designed to improve reading, writing and knowledge. Completion of an age appropriate number of questions results in an award.

Thanks to our volunteers who work to keep the museum open on weekends. For a guided tour or field trip during the week contact Richard Gathany at (404) 273-6880 or [email protected].

07/17/2026

The Leon and Rachel Gathany Museum of Natural History is seeking volunteers to open the museum on weekends during the summer. Located on the Toccoa Falls campus, the museum is supported by The Leon and Rachel Gathany Museum Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization.
Volunteers are needed to open and close the museum following well documented procedures.
To volunteer contact Richard Gathany at (404) 273-6880 or [email protected]

07/13/2026

We had a outstanding weekend with almost 70 visitors. Thanks to our volunteers.

We still need volunteers for July and August weekends. Contact Richard Gathany at 404-273-6880 or [email protected] to vounteer.

06/30/2026

Museum will be closed on Saturday July 4 as the Falls will be closed for the holiday.
However the Falls and museum will be open on Sunday July 5.

We are in need of a Volunteer to staff the museum on Sunday July 5th. If you can volunteer contact Richard Gathany at (404) 273-6880 or [email protected]

06/20/2026

The museum will be closed tomorrow June 21 in observance iof Fathers Day. The Falls is also closed.

06/10/2026

Currently we have scheduled a Volunteer orientation for 2:00pm on Saturday June 13th.

An alternate session has been scheduled for 3:00pm on Tuesday June 16th.

Contact Richard Gathany at (404) 273-6880 or [email protected] for additional information.

06/07/2026

We had good attendance at The Leon and Rachel Gathany Museum of Natural History today June 6 as we had over 40 visitors. Five children participated in the scavenger hunt and received a reward for completing the hunt.

The scavenger hunt is 20 questions that are answered by touring the museum, reading the display information and writing the answers. The exercise is fun and improves reading, writing and scientific information. A museum medallion is awarded to those children who complete an age appropriate number of questions.

We still need volunteers this summer. Please contact Richard Gathany at (404) 273-6880 or [email protected] for additional information.

06/05/2026

Just a reminder that orientation for new museum volunteers is tomorrow June 6 at 2:00pm at The Leon and Rachel Gathany Museum of Natural History.

The museum is located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College at 989 Forrest Drive at the end of the Gate Cottage parking lot.

Contact Richard Gathany at (404) 273-6880 or [email protected] for additional information.

If you cannot make this session there will be alternate times. Call to arrange a session.