Walking Tour Explores Blandtown's History and Gentrification

Artist Gregor Turk and author Dr. Rhana Gittens Wheeler lead a tour of the rapidly changing Atlanta neighborhood.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 6:00pm

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The Atlanta Preservation Center is hosting a walking tour of the Blandtown neighborhood in Atlanta's Westside, led by artist Gregor Turk and author Dr. Rhana Gittens Wheeler. The tour will explore the history of the former African American community and examine the cultural gentrification of the area, as documented in Wheeler's recent book "Ghosts of Atlanta". The tour starts at one of the last remaining original Blandtown homes, which has been converted into an artist studio featuring artwork inspired by the neighborhood's transformation.

Why it matters

Blandtown, once a thriving African American community, is now experiencing rapid development and gentrification, leading to the displacement of longtime residents. This tour aims to shed light on the neighborhood's history and the impact of these changes, raising awareness about the challenges facing similar communities across Atlanta.

The details

The walking tour will be led by artist Gregor Turk and author Dr. Rhana Gittens Wheeler, who will guide participants through the Blandtown neighborhood and share insights from Wheeler's book "Ghosts of Atlanta", which examines the cultural gentrification of the area. The tour will start at one of the last remaining original Blandtown homes, which has been converted into an artist studio featuring artwork created in response to the neighborhood's transformation.

  • The walking tour will take place on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 2 pm to 4 pm.

The players

Gregor Turk

An artist who will be leading the walking tour of Blandtown.

Dr. Rhana Gittens Wheeler

An author who recently published the book "Ghosts of Atlanta", which examines the cultural gentrification of the Blandtown neighborhood, and will be co-leading the tour.

The Atlanta Preservation Center

The organization hosting the walking tour of Blandtown.

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What they’re saying

“Blandtown on Atlanta's Westside is booming, but few know the neighborhood by its proper name nor its history.”

— Gregor Turk, Tour Leader

“Her recent book, Ghosts of Atlanta, in part examines Blandtown's cultural gentrification.”

— Dr. Rhana Gittens Wheeler, Tour Leader and Author

What’s next

The tour is currently full, but interested participants can sign up for the waiting list. They will be notified if a spot becomes available.

The takeaway

This tour highlights the importance of preserving the history and cultural identity of neighborhoods like Blandtown, which are facing the challenges of rapid development and gentrification. By shedding light on these issues, the event aims to raise awareness and inspire action to support the long-term residents and communities impacted by these changes.