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The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center
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The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center is dedicated to African American history and art in Augusta. The museum opened in 1991 in the former home of Lucy Craft Laney, located across from the original site of Haines Normal and Industrial Institute in the Laney—Walker North Historic District. The mission of the museum is to promote the legacy of Lucy Craft Laney through arts and history.
Lucy Craft Laney was born in 1854 in Macon, Georgia. Through the kindness of her slave owner’s sister, Miss Laney learned to read and the importance of giving and sharing. In 1869, she entered the first class of Atlanta University and graduated with only three other students. Soon after, Ms. Laney began her teaching career in Macon and Savannah but eventually settled in Augusta. Encouraged by Christ Presbyterian Church, she started a school for black children which opened in 1883. Located in the basement of the church, the school had little money and only six students, but it grew rapidly.
By 1885 with 234 students, the school needed a larger facility. Ms. Laney appealed to the national Presbyterian Church to no avail. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Laney received word that Francine Haines, President of the Woman’s Department of the Presbyterian Church, had donated $10,000 for the school. Chartered in 1886 and named after its benefactor, Haines Normal and Industrial Institute opened in a building on Gwinnett Street (Laney—Walker Boulevard). Students at Haines learned classics such as Latin, algebra, art, music, various trades, and even sports. The first black nursing school in Augusta, the Lamar School of Nursing, started at Haines.
The Haines Normal and Industrial School closed in 1949. Most of the buildings were razed, and the Lucy Craft Laney Comprehensive High School was erected on the site. The Cauley—Wheeler Memorial Building constructed in 1924 is the only remaining building from Haines and serves as headquarters for the Haines Alumni Association.
Throughout Miss Laney’s life until her death in 1933, her accomplishments and dedication to education earned her many honors, including honorary degrees from universities. Gwinnett Street was renamed Laney—Walker Boulevard honoring her and Rev. Dr. Charles T. Walker, founder of Tabernacle Baptist Church. She has the distinction of being one of only a few African Americans to have their portrait hanging in Georgia’s State Capitol. Miss Laney is also a “Georgia Women of Achievement” recipient.
