The David J. Sencer CDC Museum is the public face of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, set inside the agency’s headquarters campus on Clifton Road beside Emory University in Atlanta’s Druid Hills area. A Smithsonian Affiliate with free admission, it tells the story of how disease detectives track outbreaks, contain epidemics, and shape public health worldwide.
The permanent exhibition, The Global Symposium of Public Health, traces CDC’s origins as a 1946 malaria-control unit through its work on smallpox eradication, polio, HIV/AIDS, and Ebola. Visitors encounter artifacts such as an iron lung, vintage field investigation equipment, and materials from global eradication campaigns. Rotating galleries add art and history exhibits on topics from pandemics to environmental health. Short films in the theater give context before you browse, and the compact layout rewards a focused visit of one to two hours.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Because the museum sits within a secure federal campus, plan ahead. CDC’s official visitor page states that all visitors must reserve at least a week in advance and that walk-ins are no longer accepted (source: CDC). Bring government-issued photo ID; international guests need a passport. The museum is generally open weekdays and closed on weekends and federal holidays. Published hours vary across sources, and campus access has changed in recent years, so confirm current hours and status directly with CDC (404-639-0830) before you go. Parking is free. Weekday mornings outside school-group season tend to be quietest. Pair your visit with Emory’s Michael C. Carlos Museum or Fernbank Museum of Natural History nearby.
