The Athens Historical Society was founded in February 1899 at the behest of Augustus (“Gus”) Longstreet Hull (1847-1909) along with twenty other community members. The goal of the society as founded was to preserve and document the history of Athens. Gus Hull served as the organization’s first president. Hull was the author and editor of numerous books on Athens, but his most well-known work is Annals of Athens, Georgia, 1801-1901, which was published in 1906. This version of the Society seemed to be active for only about a year.

Revived in 1959, the current Athens Historical Society holds quarterly meetings and other events and has published periodicals, books, maps, and videos. Its events often take place at the Athens-Clarke County Library. The Society also sponsors on-site visits to historic properties around the region and hosts social gatherings during the year. In 1989, the Society attained formal non-profit corporate status. A thorough account of the organization’s history can be gleaned from its official papers, held at the Hargrett library, as well as a brief history found at their website.