As early as the 1870s, Burns admirers in Atlanta had been meeting in private homes and hotels to celebrate the birthday of the Scottish poet.

Shortly after the club's formation, plans were made to construct for a clubhouse an exact replica of Robert Burns' birthplace in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland.

The moving spirit behind the club's founding was Joseph Jacobs, the Atlanta pharmacist and drugstore owner at whose suggestion Coca-Cola was first carbonated.

Since its organization, the club's membership has included governors, college presidents, farmers, teachers, clergymen, engineers, lawyers, doctors, artists, salesmen and tradesmen.

Previous lecturers include Atlanta author Margaret Mitchell and Scottish entertainer and goodwill ambassador, Sir Henry Lauder.

The interior of the house is also a close replica of the Scottish cottage, and was divided into the traditional three areas: butt, ben and byre.

While the club is primarily a literary society, many of the members share Burns’ Scottish heritage and display their clan tartan banners, along with several plaques and bas-relief panels situated on plastered walls.

Changes to Burns Cottage include the rear additions of a kitchen, interior porch, restrooms and an external wooden platform used for social events.

Other alterations include the replacement of stone-flagged floors with finished concrete, an additional fireplace in the byre and the sealing up of several small windows.