Rankin Garden & Atrium

Rankin Gardens & Atrium at Columbus State University is a historic event venue housed in a building that dates to 1864, rebuilt in brick following a fire in 1878 and operating as the Rankin Hotel for roughly 100 years. The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites and Places in 1977. Over that century, it welcomed guests including Oscar Wilde, John Philip Sousa, and William Jennings Bryan. Today it offers more than 8,200 square feet of brick-lined event space in downtown Columbus, Georgia, accommodating up to 175 guests for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, vow renewals, holiday parties, corporate luncheons, and other private gatherings. The venue includes a private interior courtyard — the Rankin Garden — along with a covered open-air atrium, a Tea Room that seats 30 guests, and the Rankin Livery, a covered space that once housed horse and carriage for hotel visitors. Wrought iron balconies and aged brick archways carry the building's Victorian character throughout. The venue books one event per day, ensuring dedicated staff attention and full flexibility around setup and timing. Catering is provided exclusively through Classic Fare Catering, the venue's on-site partner.