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:

• May 27 & 28, 2023
• June 10 & 11, 2023
• July 22 & 23, 2023
• August 19 & 20, 2023
• September 16 & 17, 2023
• October 21 & 22. 2023
• November 11 & 12, 2023
• December 16 & 17, 2023

Call 706-724-3576 or visit www.LucyCraftLaneyMuseum.com 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.

REGISTER NOW!

Lucy Craft Laney Museum’s
7th Annual Golf Tournament

Support the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History All Funds raised will go towards the Museum’s Administrative House renovation project.

MAY 20, 2023
at the Municipal Golf Course

• Four-person best ball tournament (Captain Choice)
• Location: The Augusta Municipal Golf Course Late Registration: 7AM-7:30AM
• Tee-time: 8:30AM – Shotgun Start

Golfer’s Entry Fee:

• $85 EARLY BIRD: Now – May 19th
• $95 per player: Day of Tournament

Early Registration includes One Museum Tour Admission Golf Tournament Reception on May 19th from 6:00 – 9:00pm at the Laney Museum

Call 404-488-3207 to reserve your spot or register,
or click link below, then on the date on the registration page.

Greetings from the New Executive Director

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History opened to the public in June of 1991.  Since then, the museum has endeavored to honor the legacy of Lucy Craft Laney through art, history and the preservation of her home.  Since its opening the museum has grown and will continue to grow for decades to come.

As the new Executive Director of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, I intend to keep telling the stories of Lucy Craft Laney and her contemporaries.  I will continue to forge the much-needed partnerships that have made the museum a success for over thirty years.  It is important to highlight that it was the vision of the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and Delta House, Incorporated that have made the Laney Museum the largest African American museum in the River Region and one of the most respected cultural institutions in the state.

There are some things that are tried and true and I look forward to continuing some of our community favorites:  the monthly community luncheon, the annual Black History Quiz Bowl; the Historian Awards Program and our annual Golf Tournament to name a few.  But I also look forward to resurrecting some of our previous programs, like the This Place Matters Preservation Conference; and new programming like HBCU Day at the Laney Museum.

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 imprint in the Laney-Walker Historic corridor, and we continue to tell the stories of Augusta’s rich historical legacy.

Corey Rogers, Executive Director

Golden Blocks Mural Ribbon Cutting

Friday, May 26, 2023, 11:00 am
1119 James Brown Boulevard

A ribbon cutting and business opening celebration will be held Friday, May 26, 2023 at 11:00 am for the newest Golden Blocks mural, “Women of Empowerment”, located at 1119 James Brown Boulevard, the recently renovated space now home to The Lucky Spot neighborhood corner store. Guest speakers include Mayor Garnett Johnson, Senator Charles W. Walker, Commissioners Jordan Johnson and Francine Scott, Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse, RCBOE Board Member Shawnda Griffin, Housing & Community Development Director Hawthorne Welcher, Jr., Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History Executive Director Corey Rogers, Greater Augusta Arts Council Project Manager Pax Bobrow, and Mural Artist Salonika Rhyne.

The Golden Blocks project highlights the rich cultural legacy of the historically Black neighborhoods of Laney Walker and Bethlehem, in public spaces, inviting lifelong residents, newcomers, and visitors to enjoy the revitalization of the area while celebrating its past. It is an ongoing collaboration between the Greater Augusta Arts Council, the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, and Augusta Housing & Community Development (AHCD), with this mural made possible through support by the Walker Group, which owns the building where the mural is located. This project is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

As part of this project, local muralist Salonika Rhyne was commissioned through a competitive call for art to create a mural, titled “Women of Empowerment”, celebrating six women leaders in education in the historic Golden Blocks of Augusta.  These include Ursula E. Collins, Rosa C. Tutt, Marjorie B. Carter, Margaret L. Laney, Rosa T. Beard, and Ruth B. Crawford.

Mayor Garnett Johnson stated, “I’m elated to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the ‘Women of Empowerment’ mural and The Lucky Spot corner store. As a native East Augustan and small business owner, I’m proud of the revitalization and growth happening in the Laney Walker corridor.”

Golden Blocks project leaders have provided the following statement: “It is through the marriage of public history and public art in Augusta that our missions support each other to promote vibrant art, history and neighborhood reinvestment.”

Find out more about the Golden Blocks Project at https://lucycraftlaneymuseum.com/golden-blocks/.

Teaching children the value of ART, HISTORY and PRESERVATION

Free Summer Art Camp

Summer is coming, and you know what that means? It’s almost time for Summer Art Camp! This year at our free camp, enjoy learning about art from local artists Salonika and Baruti!

Camp dates:

June 12-16 – Elementary School Age,

9am to 12:30pm

June 19 – 23 – Middle School Age,

9am to 12:30pm

Lunch will be provided every day, and there will be many exciting things going on including sign language class taught by Sara Cooks!

See the animals of the Georgia Ecology Lab

Sign language class from educator Sara Cooks

Popcorn and a movie and many, many more activities

Space is limited, so for more information and to reserve your child’s space for Summer Art Camp, please call 706-724-3576 today!

June Community Luncheon

June 14, 2023
11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Come out and hear from the legendary Men on the Bag!

The June Community Luncheon will feature some of Augusta’s legendary caddies and the people who knew them best.

Deadline for registration and payment for luncheon is Monday, June 12th, 2023.  To reserve a seat please call 706-724-3576

Laney Museum Charleston Day

August 26, 2023
Sign Up Today!

Explore Charleston with Us!

Join The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History on its out of town day-trip to Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday, August 26.

Enjoy the featured destination of the newly opened International African American Museum! Also shop and enjoy lunch in the Charleston City Market.  Bus leaves from and returns to the Laney Museum of Black History.

If you have questions please call Cynthia Riley at 706.724.3576 or email cynthia@lucycraftlaneymuseum.com

Farewell But Not Goodbye From Linda Johnson

This is an exciting time for us at the museum.  There are three things I want to share with you. First, I will be going back into retirement, effective May 1, 2023.  I have truly enjoyed my time as Executive Director and getting to work with our museum supporters over the last 3 years. My task of overseeing the museum’s renovations and ensuring for its financial stability has been completed.  The museum is now viable for future generations to enjoy. Your continuous support and dedication to help preserve the legacy of Ms. Laney has truly warmed my heart.

Second, we have a new interactive experience at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. The experience, Augusta’s Black Caddies – Men on the Bag, is a one-of-a-kind experience that tells the story of our hometown legends, through a dramatic performance.  This experience brings to life the rich history and pivotal role that Augusta’s Black Caddies played in assisting the world’s top golfers in winning the most famous golf tournament in the world: The Masters. Their stories need to be told and we are honored for the opportunity to share their amazing stories. Starting in May, these experiences are scheduled twice a month, on Saturday and Sunday, at 3:00pm. I am asking you to please support this wonderful new experience by using the QR Code on page 2 of the newsletter, or you can go to the museum’s website and book for one of the first two experiences (May 27 or May 28 at 3:00pm). The schedule of experiences for the remainder of the year is included on page 2.

I’d like to give a special thank you to Mr. Tyrone Butler and the Augusta Mini Theatre Arts & Life Skills School for our Artistic Direction. I am truly grateful for your support of this experience.

Third, please help me congratulate our new Executive Director, Mr. Corey Rogers, who is very well known in the Augusta Community.  I look forward to supporting him in my new role as a museum volunteer and I am confident that he will take the museum to new heights with new and innovative programs.

Blessings always,

Linda Johnson

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