In honor of Black History Month, the Georgia Heritage Room of the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library will exhibit a collection of rare and antique books on African-American history from the Elvin Thompson collection. The exhibit will run through the month of February in the Heritage Room on the 3rd floor. The library is located at 823 Telfair St.
Laney Museum will host it’s Annual Historian Awards program on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 5-8 p.m. Dr. Mallory Millender, former French professor and campus historian for Paine College, will be honored. He continues a quest to uplift and preserve the city’s history by researching the historic institution. This event is free and open to the public.
Reese Library will host a discussion titled “Brown vs. Board of Education: A Panel on School Segregation and Integration” on Wednesday, February 25, at the JSAC Coffeehouse of GRU Summerville campus from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A little over 60 years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that school segregation was illegal in the landmark case of Brown vs. Board of Education. Join us as we listen to the stories of African Americans who experienced school segregation and those whose lives were transformed by school integration. Parking will be free. For more information about this event, please contact Erin Prentiss at 706-667-4912.
Sodexo will host a cooking demo at the Terrace Cafe’s Magnolia/Dogwood Room on Friday, Feb. 27, at noon. The Terrace Café is on the second floor of the Georgia Regents Medical Center.
The Georgia Heritage Room will also present “Slave Songs of Augusta” on Saturday, February 28, at 11 a.m. at the Headquarters Auditorium. The program will be presented by Robert Hester with musical accompaniment by Creative Impressions.
Barnes & Noble will host Black History Month Story Time with Mayor Hardie Davis on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at Augusta Mall. There will be cookies, arts and crafts available for children.
Redcliffe Plantation hosts March 7 event. Tour the historic 1859 mansion at Redcliffe Plantation of Beech Island, S.C. and learn what life was like late in the Civil War for well-to-do Senator’s wife and refugee, Virginia Clay. The 4 p.m. tour is followed by a special presentation and discussion of Mrs. Clay’s popular memoir “Belle of the Fifties” and its vivid descriptions of Redcliffe’s African-American inhabitants. Limit of 35 people. Register in advance by calling 803-827-1473 or e-mailing redcliffe@scprt.com.
Watch for finalized details on the upcoming March Cedar Grove Cemetery tour to be conducted by the History Club of Paine College. For those of you who have visited the past tours, it’s a treat to see the students in fine fashion wear of the times as well as to hear their recitation of some of the more memorable inhabitants of Cedar Grove.