Vidalia Onion Museum

Welcome to the Vidalia Onion Museum. Our 1,300-square-foot space is filled with an array of educational exhibits that highlight everything from the sweet onion's place in pop culture to efforts made to protect the “Vidalia” brand. Touch on any of the green menu bars below for a brief description of each permanent exhibit, then learn more as you walk through the museum itself. Videos in the museum can be viewed when you press the black button.

Living Exhibit

See the real thing actually growing in the smallest registered Vidalia onion field right in front of the museum. This living exhibit is generally from December, when we plant sets or transplants, through harvest in early May.

Recipe for a Vidalia Onion

In this vast hand-painted 3D mural painted from an actual photograph of a field that is ready for harvest, see what makes America’s favorite sweet onion so sweet.

Recipe for a Vidalia Onion

In this vast hand-painted 3D mural painted from an actual photograph of a field that is ready for harvest, see what makes America’s favorite sweet onion so sweet.

Pioneers, Problems & Promise

Journey from the Vidalia® Onion’s humble beginnings when Depression-era pioneers began growing onions to the first modern marketers who began selling processed Vidalia products like sauces and salad dressings. Discover the role the Piggly Wiggly grocery store chain played in the marketing and distribution of Vidalias.

Protecting a Name & its Fame

Read the story of the onion’s fight for its name.
Learn about the struggle and steps taken to ensure
the integrity of the real Vidalia onion.

A Year-Round Job

Get a glimpse into what it takes to produce these prized onions each year. From planting to harvesting and all that happens in between, Vidalia onion farmers have the growing cycle down to a science.

On the Menu

Many celebrities have voiced their love for Vidalia onions. Visitors will find out what folks like Julia Child, Bobby Flay and even the Clintons have to say about the sweet onion pioneer.

Vidalias in Pop Culture

Get the scoop on Vidalia’s popularity across the country and across time. From playing a part in CSI:Miami to being featured in bestselling books, the Vidalia onion has truly been the star of the show.

Modern Marketing

Walk along the Vidalia onion’s marketing route over the years. From the first farmers’ word-of-mouth method to a 2010 partnership with DreamWorks Animation to sponsorship of the 2021 Kentucky Derby, the onion’s ever-growing popularity proves there has always been something to talk about.

Onion Town

Paying homage to the town for which the vegetable was named, note how the city celebrates the onion. From festivals and cook-offs
to beauty queens and cookbooks, the City of Vidalia incorporates the vegetable into everything it does. Visitors will also learn about the economic impact the Vidalia onion has on the state.

Sweet World for Kids

In this hands-on, interactive room created with kids in mind, see the Shrek exhibit, leave a note or picture on the chalkboard, and learn what it means to “grade” an onion.