Holiday Closing Schedule 

Thanksgiving Eve (11/27/24) – Open half day
Thanksgiving Day and Day After (11/28-29/24) – Closed Christmas Eve (12/24/24) – Open half day
Christmas Day and Day After (12/25-26/2024) – Closed
Year’s Eve (12/31/2024) – Open half day
New Year Day and Day After – (01/01/2025 – 01/02/2025) – Closed

Happy Holidays!

 

It has been a great year at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center. Our 169 in 169 fundraiser officially ended on November 15th, but it has not stopped the community from continuing to support the museum. So if you missed the deadline and you still want to give, we welcome your support! Like many in the River Region, the Laney Museum was not immune to the devastation of Hurricane Helene. We did receive some damage to the museum, however it has not stopped us for continuing to serve the community as we remain open for tours and special events. On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, I would like to wish everyone a joyous Thanksgiving with family and friends and happy holidays. If you thought the Laney Museum had it going on in 2024, then be prepared to be blown away in 2025. The best is yet to come!

2024 – A Prolific Year! 

 

As the year 2024 ends, The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is proud to share that the museum has served the Augusta Community throughout the year with over 70 programs, exhibits, and community outreach events, in addition to the museum’s tours. As a cultural center, the museum strives to honor the legacy of Miss Lucy Craft Laney through innovative, informative and inspiring programming, which in turn contributes to the vibrancy of the community.

Giving Tuesday  

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is proud to announce it provided over 70 programs, exhibitions, and activities throughout 2024 for the Augusta Community. We look forward to more enriching and exciting programs in 2025. You may help the museum with its 2025 programming and #GivingTuesday goal of $10,000 by making a donation at https://tinyurl.com/LaneyMuseumGiveTuesday2024 .

 

Thank you for your continued support!

Brunch with Santa  

Arts and Crafts with Delta Academy and Top Teens of America, Augusta Chapter

December 7, 2024 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Event is Free to the Public
Brunch will be served

Holiday treat bags for kids and raffles for everyone!

To RSVP please call 706-724-3576
RSVP Deadline: November 29, 2024

First Tuesdays Journaling Club  

 

In September, the museum launched its First Tuesday’s Journaling Club, led by award-winning writer Cheryl Corbin (Olivia Gaines). Journaling topics to date have been “gratefulness” and “mindfulness”. December and January themes are “reflective journaling” and “goal journaling”, respectively. Corbin says “Mindful journaling can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. This practice can help increase self-awareness, reduce stress, and improve emotional well-being.” Register for the December and January journaling sessions by visiting https://tinyurl.com/LaneyJoumalClub. First Tuesday of each month. $10 per session. 5:30- 7:00 p.m.

Community Luncheon Series

Wednesday, December 11, 2024
11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Guest Speaker:  Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr.
Special Guest:  The Augusta Chorale of Georgia

 

The Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr. celebrates 17 years as the Senior Pastor/Teacher of The Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church of Augusta, Georgia. Under his dynamic leadership and vision “one church in multiple locations” was birthed which now encompasses over 15,000 partners to include our TAB Global audience with multiple weekly services, virtually and in-person. Dr. Goodman has preached and studied in the Holy Land.

 

He has authored four books: You Can’t Run from Purpose, Road to Recovery, The Flip Side of Favor and It’s Complicated.

 

Cost is $15,  Deadline to RSVP and pay is Monday, Decmeber 9,2024. Please call 706-724-3576 or email Cynthia Riley at  cynthia@lucycraftlaneymuseum.com to register.

Last Chance to See Men on the Bag Experience in 2024!

Sunday, December 1, 2024, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Augusta’s Black Caddies – The Men on the Bag experience brings to life the rich history and pivotal role Black Caddies played in assisting the world’s top golfers in winning the most famous golf tournament in the world: The Masters. See experienced actors portray such notable caddies as Willie “Pappy” Stokes, called the Godfather of caddies, and Willie Frank “Cemetery” Perteet, the personal caddie of President Eisenhower.

 

You will also have a chance to meet one of our “living legend” caddies to include Tommy “Burnt Biscuit” Bennett, Jim “Big Boy” Dent as well as many others. The famous pimento cheese sandwich and drinks will be served. 1.5 hour Augusta’s Black Caddies Experience.

Produced in conjunction with the Augusta Mini Theater.

Sign up by calling 706-724-3576 or going to TICKETS

Quiz Bowl

Registration is now open for the 2025 Lucy Craft Laney Museum Quiz Bowl.
March 22, 2025, 10 am to Noon Augusta Public Library, 823 Telfair St. Registration fee is $15
For more information and to register please call 706-724-3576.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking. (Photo by Julian Wasser//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

Mark your Calendars for 2025

January Exhibit: Dr. John Hayes Photography
January 20: Martin Luther King Day, Museum open for tours
2025 Ribbon Cutting (TBA): Arts and Entertainment in the Era of the Golden Blocks

Women’s Journaling Club

This fall, the Laney Museum will launch a women’s journaling club held on November 5th, December 3rd and January 7th. Cheryl Corbin, award-winning local writer aka Olivia Gaines, will lead the sessions. Each Session, Corbin will present a new theme and will teach attendees new techniques on documenting their lives.

 

The Women’s Journaling Club is sponsored by the Augusta Literary Society.

Please register online at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum page on EventBrite.com.

Arts and Entertainment in the Era of the Golden Blocks

 

Progress is being made on our latest mural: Arts and Entertainment in the Era of the Golden Blocks. It will feature prominent African American artists, locally, nationally and internationally renowned as well as venues known to promote arts and entertainment in Augusta.

 

Theron Cartwright is the artist for the mural which is located at 12th and Laney-Walker Boulevard. The mural is phase Three of the Golden Blocks Public Art Project, a collaboration between The Greater Augusta Arts Council, The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center, and Augusta Housing and Community Development. Phase One of the Golden Blocks Art Project was dedicated in November of 2019 and currently there are four murals and five sculptures that can be found along Laney-Walker Boulevard as a part of this project.

Augusta's Golden Blocks

Our Giving Tree

The Giving Tree honors all of our cherished supporters who have purchased a leaf or stone. The Giving Tree sculpture provides permanent recognition and advertisement for the museum sponsors and donors at specific levels. Sponsors and donors can help to preserve the legacy of Lucy Craft Laney through art, history and the preservation of her home throughout the year.
Based on the level of giving, sponsors/donors will receive an engraved leaf (bronze, silver, or gold), an acorn, or a large stone. Contact Corey Rogers at 706-724-3576 to find out how you can be a part of the Giving Tree!

Sponsorship Levels/Giving Tree Presentation (Leaf)
$10,000+ Presenting/Platinum Large Stone
$5000 Diamond/Ornate Acorn
$2500 Emerald/Acorn
$1000 Gold/Gold Leaf
$500 Silver/Silver Leaf
$250 Bronze/Bronze Leaf

The People, Businesses and Institutions of Augusta’s Golden Blocks 

During the time of segregation, the area nicknamed the Golden Blocks was the heart of Augusta’s black business community. In the Laney Walker and Bethlehem neighborhoods, black-owned banks, insurance companies, theaters and other businesses worked to offset discrimination and thrived, creating a strong sense of community. Find out more about the people who were a key part of Augusta’s Golden Blocks.

Schedule a Tour

Guided tours through the museum’s permanent exhibitions – the Lucy Craft Laney Exhibition, the Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Exhibition, the Alice Davis Collection, and the Augusta Ebony Legacy Collection-provide visitors with an overview of Black Augustans’ contributions at the local, state, national, and international levels. The museum also displays a number of rotating exhibitions which feature well known and emerging artists; and, educational forums with community leaders. The Annual Lucy Laney Craft Quilt Exhibition showcases regional fiber artists. Special exhibitions about entertainer James Brown, golf, and historical milestones are also popular attractions.

 

Guided tours are offered Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at 10:30am; 11:30am & 2:30pm. Self­Guided tours are available Wednesday & Friday at 10:30am; 11:30am & 2:30pm. The museum is closed 12:00- 1pm. Reservations are required. Group tours of 10 or more visitors must be booked in advance and may be offered flexible tour times. The museum is opened Sundays only for special events.

 

Golden Blocks Tour takes visitors to the various key locations that comprise The Golden Blocks in the historic Laney Walker District.  Click Here for a virtual tour.

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