Decatur in the Modern Era: Blair to Sharian
This Jane’s Walk, taking place in Downtown Decatur, focuses on themes of Art & Architecture and History & Culture.
What does "modern" look like when it's almost 90 years old?
Join Helen McGaughy and Marissa Howard for a walk through a sleek chapter of Decatur's architectural history. The tour begins at The Blair Building, Decatur's bold pink 1939 Streamline Moderne landmark, and winds through Downtown Decatur to the Fairview Building and the Sharian Building — all examples of the clean lines, curved corners, and forward-looking design that defined the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Along the way, the group will step inside select buildings for a closer look at preserved details and interior spaces, and explore how these structures fit into Decatur's broader architectural story. Co-hosted with the DeKalb History Center.
About the Walk Leader
Helen McGaughy supports Gene Kansas Commercial Real Estate properties through historic research, creative development, and property management, and specializes as a broker in preservation and adaptive reuse projects. GK|CRE projects include the preservation of the Blair Building, the Atlanta Daily World Building, and the VA-HI Building, among others. Learn more at theblair.community.
Marissa Howard has served as Programs and Membership Coordinator at the DeKalb History Center since 2017, leading walking tours throughout DeKalb County covering local history and roadside architecture. Learn more at dekalbhistory.org.
About Jane’s Walk
Jane’s Walk is an annual global festival honoring the legacy of urbanist, activist, and writer Jane Jacobs with free, citizen-led walking tours through the neighborhoods that lend so much character to our cities.
The festival promotes civic engagement and encourages leaders and participants to share stories about their communities and use walking as a means of connecting with their neighbors.
The Details:
Distance of Route: 0.8 miles
Duration of Walk: 90 minutes
Walk Language: English
Accessibility: Terrain: Combination of paved and unpaved. This event is NOT wheelchair accessible.
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes
In heavy rain, the walk length may be shortened but will not be canceled.
Know Before You Go Details will be included in your confirmation email.
Registration: FREE
Become a MODA Member
Click here to learn more about MODA Membership!
Questions? Contact Public Programming & Membership: felicia@museumofdesign.org
Accessibility: Designers with different styles of learning or special needs are welcome in MODA public programs. We will be able to most effectively help everyone learn and enjoy this experience if we know about those needs in advance of the program. Please email the primary walk leader with questions or information.
Cancellation Policy: MODA reserves the right to cancel a program if the minimum enrollment requirements are not met. If you need to cancel your plans for any reason, we kindly request that you notify us 48 hours prior to the event start. By doing so, we can release your seat to another individual interested in joining us for this Jane’s Walk!
Photo Disclaimer: Pictures and videos will be captured during MODA public programs and may be published on the official website, social media, and newsletters of the Museum of Design Atlanta. If you do not wish to appear on these platforms, please write to felicia@museumofdesign.org.
