Lonnie and Karin Mimms on Building the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art and Receiving the GNFCC North Fulton Pioneer Award (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 113)
Lonnie and Karin Mimms, founders of the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art in Roswell, joined host Kali Boatright on GNFCC 400 Insider to discuss the museum’s growth, its newest Apple exhibit, and their recognition with the Greater North Fulton Chamber’s 2026 North Fulton Pioneer Award.
What began as Lonnie’s childhood fascination with computers grew into one of the world’s most significant private collections of computing artifacts. Rather than keep that collection private, the Mimms family built a museum designed to preserve technology history, tell the stories behind the machines, and inspire future innovators.
The conversation also explores why the museum has expanded beyond computers to include art, space exploration, supercomputing, education, and design. Karin Mimms shares why the museum’s broader identity led to the rebrand from the Computer Museum of America to the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art.
Kali, Lonnie, and Karin also discuss iNSPIRE: Fifty Years of Innovation from Apple, school field trips, summer camps, volunteer and internship opportunities, Museum After Hours, and the museum’s growing role as a Roswell and North Fulton destination.
The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
- Lonnie Mimms’ childhood interest in programming and electronics grew into one of the world’s most significant private collections of computing artifacts.
- The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art reflects a broader mission that connects technology, art, science, design, education, and storytelling.
- The iNSPIRE Apple exhibit gives visitors a relatable look at 50 years of innovation, from early computers to products that changed daily life.
- The museum is built to inspire young people, families, artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about what innovation makes possible.
- Lonnie and Karin Mimms were honored with the 2026 North Fulton Pioneer Award for creating something new, lasting, and meaningful for the region.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction to GNFCC 400 Insider
00:46 Lonnie and Karin Mimms and the 2026 North Fulton Pioneer Award
02:37 Lonnie’s early fascination with programming and computers
04:29 Electronics kits, Radio Shack, and a bedroom microcomputer
05:36 How a private collection became a public museum
06:39 Why technology and art belong together
08:16 The plumbing crisis that nearly delayed the museum’s opening
09:25 The staff, volunteers, and grit behind the launch
11:33 Why Roswell and North Fulton became the right home
13:30 Inspiring young people through exposure to technology and art
16:14 Why the stories behind the artifacts matter
17:40 iNSPIRE: Fifty Years of Innovation from Apple
18:50 A museum experience for three generations
19:34 Bringing pieces of Paul Allen’s Living Computer Museum to Roswell
21:26 Upcoming events, including David Pogue, camps, talks, and rotating exhibits
23:42 Volunteer and internship opportunities
25:37 Lonnie’s hope for the museum’s legacy
26:35 Karin on the work, risk, and persistence behind the dream
29:07 How to visit, follow, and support the Mimms Museum
30:26 Why the museum surprises people who think it is “just for nerds”
32:04 Closing thoughts from Kali Boatright
Mimms Museum of Technology and Art
The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art in Roswell was founded by Lonnie and Karin Mimms to preserve the history of computing, celebrate the connection between technology and art, and inspire future generations of innovators. Built from Lonnie’s more than 40 years of collecting and Karin’s background in education and storytelling, the museum brings together rare computing artifacts, immersive exhibits, art, design, software, documents, and cultural history.
The museum began with pop-up exhibits before opening its permanent Roswell location in 2019 as the Computer Museum of America. In 2025, it rebranded as the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art, reflecting a broader mission that reaches beyond computers alone. Its collections include everything from room-size supercomputers and personal computers to operating systems, games, engineering drawings, corporate records, marketing materials, and art shaped by technology.
At its core, the Mimms Museum exists to preserve the past in a way that sparks curiosity about the future. Its mission is to educate and inspire visitors of all ages by showing how human creativity, problem-solving, engineering, and artistic expression have shaped the digital world we live in today. The museum also emphasizes making technology careers more accessible, especially for students and underserved communities.
Website | YouTube | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast
The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.
The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.
As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.
GNFCC promotes the interests of its members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.
For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.
