Augusta’s Black Caddies Stories Come to Life with Immersive Experience

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History is pleased to announce the unveiling of their new authentic experience that reveals the history of Augusta’s legendary Black Caddies.

Augusta’s Black Caddies – The Men on the Bag 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.

The Men on the Bag experience will allow the patron to connect with three of the Augusta Nationals legendary caddies:  Willie “Pappy” Stokes, called the Godfather of the caddies; Willie Frank “Cemetery” Perteet, the personal caddie for President Dwight D. Eisenhower; and Willie “Pete” Peterson, who won 5 Masters with Jack Nicklaus.  Artistic direction for Men on the Bag comes from the Augusta Mini-Theater and the narrator for the experience is Augusta native, educator and actor Cheronda Harris.  After experiencing the stories of the three legendary caddies, you will have a chance to meet one of the “living legend” caddies.  Afterwards, the famous pimento cheese sandwich, lemonade and sweet tea will be served.  Guests will also have a chance to meet the living legends, take pictures with them, and have them sign specially made autograph cards just for this experience.

The Black Caddie Experiences are scheduled Saturday & Sunday at 3:00pm on the following dates:

• June 10 & 11, 2023
• July 22 & 23, 2023
• August 19 & 20, 2023
• October 21 & 22. 2023
• November 11 & 12, 2023
• December 16 & 17, 2023

Call 706-724-3576 or click the link below to book your Augusta’s Black Caddies Experience! Individual & Group Bookings are available. For Groups there is a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 50. The one and half hour Augusta’s Black Caddies experience is $25 per person.

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum has served as a cornerstone for the cultural and historical preservation of African-Americans in Augusta and the surrounding area since opening in 1991. In addition to recognizing Black leaders in Augusta, the museum sponsors numerous community outreach initiatives that include exhibitions, lectures, youth camps, and tours of Augusta’s historic Black sites.

Experience the Souls of the Midnight Dreamers

Souls of the Midnight Dreamers is an exhibition celebrating human achievement and the power of dreams that come true. Featuring 36 original paintings and drawings by Augusta-based artist, Francie Klopotic, the exhibition runs September 1 – October 30, 2023 at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History.

An opening Reception will be held Saturday, September 2nd at 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Laney Museum located at 1116 Phillips Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Enjoy live jazz by Bill Karp and refreshments catered by Nancy’s Fancy Feast. Admission is free.

Souls of the Midnight Dreamers showcases portraits of icons like Billie Holiday, John Lennon, Wycliffe Gordon, Bob Dylan, Carl Sagan and more. Each personality featured in the exhibit began their life’s journey with a dream. That dream became an all-consuming desire. They each were souls afire, ignited with a passion that kept them dreaming and doing the work necessary to make their dreams come true. Their successes remind us that we, too, can realize our dreams no matter how big or how small they may be.

Francie Klopotic was born and raised in East Atlanta Village and taught herself to draw faces at the age of ten. A portrait artist for over 45 years, she finds exquisite beauty in the diversity of humanity and has spent most of her life drawing portraits in graphite and colored pencil. In 2018, she began showing her work at galleries and in art shows across the River Region. She has several collectors and many of her works are in private collections across the Southeast, Midwest and New England. In 2021 Francie picked up a paintbrush for the first time and began painting portraits in bold and bright hues. Painting opened up a whole new world for her as an artist, allowing her the ability to fully express her love for Pop Art and pop culture in a new way.  Her influences include Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Peter Max, and Alex Katz. Francie’s goal as an artist is to encourage others to embrace their own uniqueness and to revel in their beauty, for every human is a work of art.

Greetings from the Executive Director

It has been an exciting summer at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center.  Our summer camps were an overwhelming success.  Students, both local and from out of town, came to either the elementary or middle school camp and took part in a variety of educational activities, from art projects with two of Augusta’s finest:  Salonika Rhyne and Baruti “Brutha B” Tucker, to history scavenger hunts, demonstrations from the Georgia Ecology Lab, as well as sign language classes.  We thank our sponsors Commissioner Francine Scott and Piedmont Hospital, as well as many of the parents, grandparents and guardians that made the camp a success.  I also want to acknowledge our camp leaders:  Ms. Destiny Smith and Ms. Olivia Holt for doing an amazing job in keeping the train on the tracks every day.  We are certainly looking forward to next year.

Our next Men on the Bag experience will be Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th at 3:00 p.m. on both days.  Come out to see what all of Augusta has been raving about!

In an era in which certain parts of our society would simply like to forget the past or with the limitations with what schools can teach or are willing to teach, institutions like the Laney Museum are vitally important to understanding the important people, institutions and events that have made Augusta a unique city.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and community supporters, thank you Augusta for your support and we hope that you will continue to support us as we continue to expand our physical presence in the Laney-Walker Historic corridor, and we continue to tell the stories of Augusta’s rich historical legacy.

Corey Rogers, Executive Director

October Community Luncheon

Wednesday, October 11, 2023
11:30 am – 1:00 pm

District Attorney Jared Williams

The October Community Luncheon will feature a discussion with Jared Williams on what the DA’s Office is doing to strengthen the Community.

Deadline to RSVP and pay for the luncheon is the Monday, October 9.  To make a reservation please call 706-724-3576 or email Cynthia Riley at cynthia@lucycraftlaneymuseum.com.

November luncheon on November 8th will Feature The Brown Sugar Stitchers.

Annual Quiz Bowl

March 23, 2024
10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Augusta Public Library, Main Branch, Telfair Street

Deadline for Team Entry is December 1^st.

Team Entry Fee is $15

Organizations interested in registering, please call 706-724-3576