🎬 Where Was Hidden Figures Filmed? Complete Atlanta, Georgia Location Guide
Uncover the real-world spots where this inspiring true story came to life. Plan your journey to cinematic history!
About 🎬 Where Was Hidden Figures Filmed? Complete Atlanta, Georgia Location Guide
🎬 Where Was Hidden Figures Filmed? Complete Atlanta, Georgia Location Guide
Get ready to journey into the incredible world of "Hidden Figures," the awe-inspiring true story of three brilliant African-American women who were the brains behind one of NASA's greatest operations. These incredible mathematicians, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, crossed gender and racial lines to become the unsung heroes of the space race.
But did you know that many of the iconic scenes that brought their captivating story to life were filmed far from the real Langley Research Center in Virginia? The magic happened right in the bustling heart of Atlanta, Georgia!
"Hidden Figures" transports you back to the 1960s, a pivotal era in American history. The filmmakers masterfully used authentic university campuses and historic town squares to double for NASA's sprawling facilities and the vibrant communities where these extraordinary women lived and worked.
Join us as we explore the real-world locations that lent their timeless charm to this empowering cinematic masterpiece. Get ready to add some serious girl power to your next travel itinerary! 🚀✨
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🗺️ Major Filming Locations
🎬 Ogden Hall, Hampton University - Hampton's Historic Landmark 🎓
🏛️ The Location
Ogden Hall is the magnificent auditorium located on the campus of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia — the actual state where the story of "Hidden Figures" originated. This historic building, known for its grand architecture and stately presence, is a cornerstone of one of the nation's most prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
🎥 In the Film
While "Hidden Figures" primarily filmed in Georgia, Ogden Hall provided a glimpse of the movie's historical roots, specifically representing the assembly halls or institutional settings of the era relevant to the women's experience. Though not a primary filming location, it aligns perfectly with the film's backdrop.
📍 Visitor Info
💡 Pro Tip: While on campus, make sure to visit the Hampton University Museum, one of the oldest African American museums in the United States, offering a deeper dive into history.
🎬 Fun Fact: Hampton University played a crucial role in educating African Americans during the Jim Crow era, making it an incredibly fitting, albeit brief, symbolic connection to the themes explored in "Hidden Figures."
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🎬 Marietta Square (Glover Park area) - Stepping Back in Time 🌳
🏛️ The Location
Marietta Square, specifically the Glover Park area, is the historic heart of Marietta, Georgia. This picturesque town square is famous for its charming gazebo, mature trees, and surrounding historical buildings, including the majestic courthouse. It has long been a hub for local life and a popular filming location for period dramas.
🎥 In the Film
The production team transformed Marietta Square to expertly recreate a bustling, period-accurate street in the 1960s. You might recognize it as the backdrop for scenes depicting everyday life in the era, adding significant authenticity to the film's visual narrative, such as the library scene where Dorothy Vaughan and her kids try to get library books from the whites-only section.
📍 Visitor Info
💡 Pro Tip: Visit on a Saturday morning to experience the vibrant Marietta Square Farmers Market, where local vendors offer fresh produce and artisan goods.
🎬 Fun Fact: Marietta Square's timeless charm and well-preserved architecture have made it a go-to spot for many films aiming to capture a quintessential American small-town feel from various historical periods.
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🎬 Morehouse College - A Beacon of Excellence 📚
🏛️ The Location
Morehouse College is a private, historically black men's liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. Renowned for its storied history and commitment to producing leaders, Morehouse boasts impressive Gothic-style architecture and serene campus grounds. It's part of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, the largest consortium of historically Black colleges and universities in the world.
🎥 In the Film
Morehouse College's distinguished campus provided authentic backdrops for various institutional scenes in "Hidden Figures." Its historical significance and classic academic ambiance lent credibility and atmosphere to the film's depiction of professional and educational settings. Specifically, its interiors and exteriors were used to represent NASA's Langley facility.
📍 Visitor Info
💡 Pro Tip: Take a moment to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel on campus, a tribute to one of Morehouse's most famous alumni and a powerful symbol of civil rights history.
🎬 Fun Fact: Morehouse College's rich legacy of educating prominent African American figures, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Spike Lee, profoundly aligns with the film's narrative of groundbreaking achievement and overcoming adversity.
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🎬 Morris Brown College - A Resilient Landmark 🏛️
🏛️ The Location
Morris Brown College is another historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia, near the heart of the city's historic West End. Founded in 1881 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it possesses a unique architectural character that speaks to its long history and resilience. The Gaines Hall building, in particular, is an iconic structure on campus.
🎥 In the Film
The filmmakers utilized Morris Brown College's historic campus, likely for its distinctive period buildings and spacious halls, to double for various institutional locations, particularly for the interiors and exteriors of the offices and laboratories at NASA. Its authentic feel helped to transport audiences back to the 1960s.
📍 Visitor Info
💡 Pro Tip: Explore the surrounding Atlanta University Center area, which is rich with historical significance as a hub for Black intellectual and cultural life.
🎬 Fun Fact: The use of multiple historic HBCUs in Atlanta for filming contributed significantly to the movie's authentic portrayal of the educational and professional environments prevalent during that era.
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🎬 Mundy's Mill High School - Modern Doubles for History 🏫
🏛️ The Location
Mundy's Mill High School is a large, modern educational facility located in Jonesboro, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. While a contemporary school, its spacious and adaptable interiors and exteriors make it a functional choice for film productions needing to create various large-scale institutional settings.
🎥 In the Film
For "Hidden Figures," Mundy's Mill High School was cleverly utilized to double for various interior spaces within NASA's Langley Research Center, a common practice in filmmaking to find suitable locations that can be redressed to fit a historical period. Its hallways and larger rooms would have been transformed to become bustling NASA offices or calculation rooms.
📍 Visitor Info
💡 Pro Tip: If you're a film enthusiast, understand that active schools are generally not open to the public for tours. Appreciate the exterior from a distance and respect student and staff privacy.
🎬 Fun Fact: Filmmakers often choose modern high schools for period-piece interiors because their wide hallways, large classrooms, and administrative offices can be cost-effectively transformed into various 1960s institutional settings with set dressing and props.
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🎬 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
The making of "Hidden Figures" was as inspiring as the story it told, with a dedicated team bringing the 1960s space race and the lives of its groundbreaking women to vivid life. Discover the vision and creative choices that shaped this cinematic success!
🎭 Director's Vision
🎪 Production Highlights
🌟 Cast & Crew Stories
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🗺️ Plan Your Visit
Ready to follow in the footsteps of cinematic history? Here’s your guide to exploring the filming locations and more in Atlanta, Georgia!
🏨 Where to Stay
🚗 Getting Around
📸 Photo Tips
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❓ Quick Answers
🎬 Is this based on a true story?Yes! "Hidden Figures" is based on the incredible true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three brilliant African-American women who served as human computers at NASA.
🗺️ Can I visit all locations in one day?
While you can technically see the Atlanta campuses and Marietta Square in a long day, adding Hampton, Virginia, would require separate travel. Focus on Atlanta's locations for a dedicated day trip.
💰 How much should I budget?
For travel around Atlanta, budget $50-100/day for transport (car rental or rideshares) and $30-60/day for food. Most filming locations are free to visit, so your main costs will be accommodation and getting around.
📱 Are there guided tours?
While there aren't specific "Hidden Figures" guided tours, you can find historical tours of Atlanta and the Atlanta University Center area that cover the rich history related to these campuses.
🎭 When was this filmed?
"Hidden Figures" was filmed primarily in March and April of 2016. The spring weather during these months often provides pleasant conditions for exploring the locations.
🌍 Is Atlanta, Georgia safe for tourists?
Atlanta is generally safe for tourists, especially in major popular areas. Like any large city, it's wise to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night, and take standard precautions.
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🎬 Ready for Your Cinematic Adventure?
From the hallowed halls of historic colleges to the charming streets of a preserved town square, the filming locations of "Hidden Figures" offer a tangible link to one of the most inspirational stories in modern history. These sites in Atlanta, Georgia, aren't just backdrops; they're echoes of the determination, brilliance, and groundbreaking spirit of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.
Grab your friends, plan your route, and relive the magic of this powerful film through real-world exploration. Share your journey with us – we can't wait to see your cinematic adventures!
Inspired to explore more film locations? Our site is packed with guides to bring your favorite movies to life.
Year Released
2016
Director
Theodore Melfi
Filming Locations
5 locations
Behind the Scenes
Theodore Melfi's vision for 'Hidden Figures' was to honor the brilliant, unsung heroes of NASA's early space race, particularly the Black female mathematicians. He wanted to ground the inspiring narrative in authentic, period-accurate settings, even when those real locations were no longer available or suitable for filming. The production team meticulously recreated a 1960s feel, primarily transforming various spots in Atlanta, Georgia, to double for Virginia and the famed Langley Research Center.
- The entire film was shot in just 45 days, a remarkably tight schedule for a period drama of this scale.
- Many of the scenes meant to be inside NASA's segregated facilities were built from scratch as meticulously detailed sets.
- Taraji P. Henson, who played Katherine G. Johnson, had the opportunity to meet the real Katherine Johnson before filming began.
- The movie earned over $230 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Best Picture nominee of 2016.
- While depicting real events, some historical liberties were taken for dramatic impact, like Katherine Johnson's urgent run to the West Computing group to change calculations.
- Pharrell Williams served as one of the film's producers and also composed several original songs for the soundtrack.
- Director Theodore Melfi insisted on shooting the film on traditional film, not digital, to achieve a classic, timeless aesthetic.
- Octavia Spencer's role as Dorothy Vaughan was specifically written with her in mind by the filmmakers.
- The real Dorothy Vaughan retired from NASA in 1971, having become a supervisor and a FORTRAN programmer.
- Kevin Costner's role as Al Harrison was fictional, a composite character representing various leaders at NASA.
- Katherine Johnson lived to be 101, passing away in 2020, well after the film brought her story to global recognition.
- The film's success reignited interest in unsung heroes, leading to numerous books and documentaries about other overlooked historical figures.
Location Gallery
Ogden Hall, Hampton University
Marietta Square (Glover Park area)
Morehouse College
Morris Brown College
Mundy's Mill High School
Travel Tips
Best time to visit most of these locations is during spring or fall for mild weather.
Consider booking accommodations in advance, especially during tourist season.
Guided tours are available that cover Ogden Hall, Hampton University, Marietta Square (Glover Park area), Morehouse College in one day.
Filming Locations
Discover all 5 locations where 🎬 Where Was Hidden Figures Filmed? Complete Atlanta, Georgia Location Guide was filmed
Interactive Location Map
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Filming Locations
Ogden Hall, Hampton University
Iconic auditorium at Hampton University, used for assembly scenes.
Marietta Square (Glover Park area)
Historic town square, transformed into a 1960s street.
Morehouse College
Prestigious historically Black college, featured in various institutional shots.
Morris Brown College
Historic college campus used for interior and exterior scenes.
Mundy's Mill High School
High school campus used to double for government facility interiors.
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