Lucy C. Laney Museum Renovations & New Partnership
Lucy Craft Laney: The Woman & The Landmark
Nestled between Laney-Walker Boulevard and Hopkins Street sits a small house that once belonged to one of Augusta’s most prominent citizens over 100 years ago. The house belonged to Miss Lucy Craft Laney. Today, we recognize Lucy Craft Laney as one of the most influential educational leaders in Georgia. You may have heard this name, especially if you have ventured to downtown Augusta. Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School and Stadium, which sits on the similarly named Laney Walker Boulevard, is named after the prominent educator.
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center now occupies Miss Laney’s old home. Today, curious minds can visit the Museum to take in the life of African American culture and art in four of the Museum’s permanent exhibitions: the Lucy Craft Laney Exhibition; Alice Davis Collection; Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Collection; and Augusta Ebony Legacy Exhibition. In addition, the Museum, which opened in 1991, also hosts yearly exhibitions and fundraising events such as their annual gala and golf tournament.
The Lucy C. Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center is closed for tours as they finish their renovations. Their complete renovation project will include:
- A new roof and roof coating.
- Bringing both the inside and outside of the home to ADA standards.
- Restoring the original flooring.
- A new HVAC system.
These projects have been long in the making for this Historical Augusta Landmark.
New Community Partnership
This August, Walton Options had the opportunity to present a check to the Museum and Conference Center Director, Ms. Linda Johnson, and Board Member, Mr. Leon Maben. With this donation, the Museum will make necessary repairs to their elevator to help visitors with mobility barriers access the three floors of conference rooms and exhibits.
“I am excited for this budding partnership between Walton Options and the Lucy C. Laney Museum.”
-Ebony Rivers, Associate Director
This is a project that has been seven years in the making. In the past, children utilizing wheelchairs have not been able to access the Children’s Academy, located in the basement of the home. Those participating in self-guided tours have only been able to hear about what occupied other exhibits in inaccessible parts of the Museum without ever being able to see it. This will all change now, as the Museum has hit its target goal to install the necessary elements to make the entire building accessible and enjoyable.
“For anybody who has had mobility issues and cannot use steps, and seniors who cannot climb our narrow and low hanging stairs, not having an elevator has been a huge barrier,” says Museum director Linda Johnson. “We are thankful for this new partnership and donation and more members of the community to be able to enjoy the museum in its entirety.”
All renovation projects at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center are expected to be finished by December of 2021. However, until its winter opening, the museum and conference center have online exhibitions that are free to the public.
Augusta’s Golden Blocks Tour is Close to Home
Augusta’s Golden Blocks Tour takes visitors to the various key locations of The Golden Blocks in the Laney Walker District. The Golden Blocks refers to an area of downtown Augusta that serves as the hub for black-owned banks, businesses, theaters, and more during segregation. One of the stops on this tour will take you to the site of what was Bethel AME Church. On the corner of D’Antignac and Ninth, for over 108 years—erected in 1888 and raised in 2006—stood what was regarded as the first African American church established on land purchased by African Americans and is continually owned by them today. But, do you know what sits one block over from this historic treasure? The current and rising building for Walton Options sits in the lot just left to what used to be the place of worship for thousands of members of this community.
The beauty of this virtual tour, which you can take from the comfort of your home or while driving through the city, is that members can see the growth of our community and the land. We are excited to see the completed renovations, which are set to be finished in December, at the same time as our new Center for Disability Rights and Resources will be completed.
“The Lucy Craft Laney Museum is a neighbor to us and a place which some of our consumers and staff enjoy as part of their leisure and recreational goals, and now they have given us new options for others through their virtual tours. We know their goal to get an elevator working again so that all persons can explore their history and programs aligns with Walton Options goal of an accessible community for all, as well as Walton Foundation for Independence’s goal to bring opportunities to those with physical disabilities through engagement in sports, health, and leisure. Being in the midst of a capital campaign ourselves, we understand the expenses that can arise to grow and maintain programs. Finding a way to partner at minimum is a neighborly act, but also helps us both achieve mutual goals that contribute to our community.”
-Tiffany Clifford, Executive Director
Want to know more about the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center? Visit the website HERE.
Want to experience The Golden Blocks Tour? (Please Note: This tour is not available via desktop. You must access this tour via a mobile device) Visit the exhibit HERE.
Interested in learning about Walton Options own rebuilding of the CSRA’s new and only Disability Rights and Resource Center? Visit HERE.