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Computer Museum of America Rebrands as Mimms Museum of Technology and Art

The BDPA Legacy

The BDPA Legacy

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

National BDPA, Inc. Celebrates its 50-Year Milestone this year and will host its Golden Anniversary VIP Reception at the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art During BDPACON25 on Friday, August 15, 2025.

ROSWELL, GA – (BDPA Atlanta) – During its BYTE fundraiser, Computer Museum of America revealed an exciting announcement – moving forward, it will operate under a new name: Mimms Museum of Technology and Art. The rebrand marks an exciting new chapter for one of the area’s most popular attractions, reflecting its history, evolution and future. As the nonprofit museum celebrates five years of operation and prepares for expansion in 2026 – including the highly anticipated launch of its iNSPIRE: Fifty Years of Innovation at Apple exhibit – the timing of its transformation is setting the stage for a bold and dynamic future.

Supercomputer Exhibits
A varied collection of supercomputers illustrates how these machines impact our everyday lives from the daily weather predictions, artificial intelligence and cyber security. While in Atlanta, BDPACON25 attendees, BDPA Members, and visitors will see more than 70 supercomputers from the iconic Cray 1A, Connection Machine 2 and Pixar Image Computer, Sun Microsystems to a life size mural of the IBM summit. This year’s exhibit also recognizes Seymour Cray’s contribution as the father of supercomputing. Last year, BDPA Atlanta served as National BDPA’s Host Chapter for SC24, the International Conference for High-Performance Computing (HPC), Networking, Storage, and Analysis.

“Our museum has always been about more than just computers,” said Lonnie Mimms, founder and board chair of Mimms Museum of Technology and Art. “We are thrilled to introduce a new brand that provides us the flexibility to promote the full scope of what we offer, aligning us with STEAM initiatives that are shaping both education and technology – two industries deeply embedded in our mission.”

Computer Technology Receptions & Reunions

Since opening in 2019, the museum has expanded its scope and vision, as well as its on-site offerings, programming and experiences. While technology remains its foundation, the museum’s mission has evolved beyond a singular focus. The Mimms team recognized that technology and art are deeply interconnected, with examples of Innovation Past Forward—the museum’s tagline—reflected in both disciplines.

Initially, the museum featured three main exhibits, A Tribute to Apollo 11, Supercomputing, and The STEAM Timeline. Since then, it has expanded to include an interactive Retro Gaming Corner and unveiled The Enigma Machine exhibit in 2020. iNSPIRE: Fifty Years of Innovation at Apple will open in Spring 2026, spanning an impressive 20,000 square feet, and featuring the world’s largest curation of Apple products, merchandise, early prototypes and uncommon collector’s items. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum now features rotating pop-up exhibits, currently showcasing a Strati 3D car.

BDPACON25 attendees will immerse themselves in a brief history of Rocketry, the race to space, and view dioramas of scenes from Apollo 11 through Apollo 17. BDPA Members and Student I.T. Education & Scholarships (SITES) participants attending BDPACON25 will also experience the type of computers NASA used from an IBM 3420, a front panel of an IBM 360, modular computer systems and more.

Embracing the synergy between art and technology, Mimms Museum of Technology and Art took the opportunity – while introducing its new brand during the BYTE25 event – to unveil its exclusive new Salvador Dalí Exhibit. Event attendees were given a first look at the remarkable collection featuring more than 20 signed Salvador Dalí prints, which opened to the public today. The evening also featured a special Hall of Fame induction ceremony, honoring three trailblazing pioneers in the technology industry: Dr. David Bader, Dan Bricklin, and John Yates. As the second class of distinguished inductees, their contributions have left a lasting impact on the field.

“We remain committed to our core mission of preserving and celebrating the past while embracing the limitless possibilities of the future,” said Rena Youngblood, executive director of Mimms Museum of Technology and Art. “With our new name and several new initiatives planned, we are poised to grow, inspire, and engage the community in meaningful ways, just as technology and art continue to shape our lives.”

About Mimms Museum of Technology and Art

The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art, formerly Computer Museum of America is a dedicated nonprofit with the mission of preserving and showcasing the history of technology, art and its impact on our society. Through interactive experiences, educational programs, and engaging events, The Mimms provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore the evolution of technology and its profound influence on our lives.

About BDPA

National BDPA, Inc. (bdpa.org), formerly known as “Black Data Processing Associates“, was established as a nonprofit entity in 1975 by Earl A. Pace Jr. and David Wimberly. The organization was founded to confront the challenge of underrepresentation in the fields of computer science, data science, and technology. Since its inception, BDPA has expanded into a national organization with over 40 chartered local BDPA Chapters throughout the United States. It continues to provide community programs with Industry and its mission-partners focused on digital workforce transformation, professional development, and leadership training for I.T. professionals and all students “K-through-Grey“.

BDPA and Students @ SC24
Atlanta area high school students meet BDPA™ during SC24, the International Conference for High-Performance Computing (HPC), Networking, Storage, and Analysis.

— Sources and photos: Mimms Museum of Technology and Art and BDPA™


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