Renovations Project

The renovations here at the museum are progressing very well.  The Scope of the Project consists of both interior and exterior work to the museum and conference center. Specifically, the work involves the following: removing old roof and applying new roof for museum and conference room; repairing, waterproofing, painting siding and foundation; ensuring for the integrity of interior and exterior walls, floors and all foundations; sanding/finishing all wood floors; replacing ceiling in conference room; new flooring in conference room; installing new LED/museum quality lighting; upgrading existing HVAC and ductwork; upgrading all attic installation; upgrading electrical system and electrical panel; repairing basement ceiling and water closet; replacing windows; technological upgrades to include equipment and software; renovations to ensure compliance with ADA codes/regulations for bathrooms, ramps and sidewalks.

The museum’s current audio-visual system does not interface with the internet or have wireless access points for internet on all floors. Thanks to a grant from the Creel-Harrison Foundation, we are also upgrading all of the museum’s audio-visual equipment and date points to all areas of the museum and conference center. This will allow the facilitation of more effective tours, classes and professional presentations that are in-line with current technology. Grant funds will also be used to purchase 2 new laptops.

We are super excited!  It is going to be absolutely beautiful when renovations are complete. Stay tuned for more exciting news on the museum’s renovations and the date for the grand re-opening.

Lucy Craft Laney Museum Giving Tree

The “Giving Tree” is a new sculpture that is being designed for the Museum. It will be placed in the main entrance and will provide 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.

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

To find out how you can help the Museum and get your leaf, acorn or stone, call Linda Johnson at 706-724-3576.

Upcoming

Quilting the HBCU Experience Exhibit

On display in early 2022! The date will be determined based on completion of the Museum Renovations.

The exhibit will feature quilts that represent many of the historically black colleges around the country as well as quilts inspired by the African-American Greek-letter organizations.

2021 History Symposium 

Friday, November 12 at the Morris Museum of Art
6:00 pm

Edward J. Cashin Memorial Woodrow Wilson Lecture: “Baptists and Bootleggers: Prohibition in the South.” Kathryn Smith is a journalist by training and a historian by avocation. Her books include the biography of President Roosevelt’s private secretary Marguerite LeHand, titled “The Gatekeeper,” and “Gertie” the biography of Aiken-born heiress, adventuress, philanthropist — and spy — Gertrude Sanford Legendre. Kathryn is a Georgia native who has lived for many years in Anderson, S.C.

Saturday, November 13 at the Morris Museum of Art

9:30 am
“Roaring and Resisting::Augusta in the 1920s: Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell has M.A. and  Ph.D. degrees in history and currently serves as the Director of the Augusta University Center for the Study of Georgia History and as the Augusta University Historian.  She has studied, written about, and spoken on Augusta history four decades. She was twice president of the Georgia Association of Historians.

10:30 am
“The Golden Blocks in the Jim Crow Era: 1920-1929”: Mr. Corey Rogers is a native of Augusta.  He has B.A. and M.A. degrees in history.  Since 2004 he has served as Historian of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and is the former Chair of the Georgia Historical Society Marker Review Committee for the State of Georgia. He currently serves as the Vice-President of the Augusta African American Historical Society.

11:30 am 
“The New and the Nostalgic:  Building Augusta in the 1920s”: Ellen Neal Pruitt is a licensed architect with Studio 3 Design Group and has practiced architecture in Augusta for over 35 years.  With a love for the rich architectural heritage of this area, she has worked on such iconic buildings as the Old Government House, the Cotton Exchange, Rosemary and Lookaway Halls, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and recently the Augusta Jewish Museum.  She has spoken and written on architectural history for Augusta University, Historic Augusta, local schools, and various civic groups.

Laney Walker Bethlem Heritage Festival

Celebrate the rich heritage and history of Laney Walker and Bethlehem. Visit our arts and craft area, medical village and local artists selling beautiful art pieces. Enjoy free family entertainment and more with live bands and musicians, a kids fun zone with petting zoo and inflatables, and onsite food trucks.

November 20 | Dyess Park | Augusta GA

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.

Book a Tour of the Historic Golden Blocks

The Golden Blocks Tour includes 33 key locations that comprise The Golden Blocks in the Laney-Walker District of downtown Augusta. Highlights include The grave site of Lucy Craft Laney and the Black History Museum that is located in her home; the grave site and home of Reverend C.T. Walker; Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company National Office; the Golden Blocks Legacy Mural; Golden Block Marker for the Burruss Sanitarium; the historic Lenox Theater and Mother Trinity CME Church, established in 1840.

The Lenox Theater

One of the most iconic businesses of the Golden Blocks era in Augusta was The Lenox Theater.  In its ongoing efforts to document the stories of The Golden Blocks, The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is looking for personal remembrances connected to the Lenox Theater.  If you remember going to the Lenox and would not mind sharing your story please call Corey Rogers at 706-724-3576 or e-mail him at ocur761@gmail.com.

To schedule a guided tour please call the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History at 706-724-3576.

Autumn is in the air!

A Note from Linda Johnson, Executive Director

This is one of my favorite times of the year and I am looking forward to cooler temperatures and seeing the leaves change to beautiful fall colors. As we come toward the end of this year, we have had a successful year, in spite of the barriers imposed because of COVID-19. Our “Friends of the Museum” have increased and we are so thankful for our supporters. The tour groups were smaller than usual; however, we were able to accommodate everyone and all visitors received a world class tour for all scheduled exhibits. The Annual Golf Tournament was a success and the golfers and volunteers had a wonderful time at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course. The 15th Annual Heritage Gala was virtual this year and was a HUGE success thanks to our many supporters.

We were able to start our new Self-Guided Tours prior to closing for renovations and we are excited for you to experience this new addition when we re-open to the public. The popular Trolley Tours are no longer in operation in Augusta, but we are looking for ways to provide this type of tour for our visitors. Stay tune for more information. Finally, our seasonal Azaleas are in full bloom and they are beautiful.

Best Regards,
Linda F. Johnson, Executive Director

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