Cultural Event Report: Visiting a Museum
Professor Griffin
Humanities - World Culture I – HUM 111
December 11, 2011

On October 28, 2011 I attended a Cultural Event in my local area at the Augusta Museum of History called “Local Legends exhibition”; which is located in Augusta, Georgia. I attended alone, whereas I seen others coupled there was a large turnout I would say a hundred or people attended the event. My initial reaction upon arriving was did I make the correct choice in choosing this exhibition, Augusta has so many Museums and I didn’t realize it until I started passing back them as I was headed to the Museum of History, I ask myself which cultural event do I want to attend, will this exhibition that I’m attending be interesting and full of attractions that are captivating, exciting and ideal. Throughout, my visit to the Augusta Museum of History the most rewarding experiences that I’ve gathered are quite intriguing. One of which is the exhibition of the late Mr. James brown, known as “The Godfather of Soul.” “World-renowned music star James Brown (May 3, 1933 - December 25, 2006) called the Augusta-area home his entire life. Born in Augusta and maintaining a home in Beech Island, South Carolina until his death on Christmas Day in 2006, Brown maintained a business presence in Augusta while managing a steady international touring schedule. Local honors to the legendary musician include the renaming of the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center to James Brown Arena in September 2006, the renaming of 9th Street to James Brown Boulevard in 1993, and a life-size statue of the singer installed on Broad Street in May 2005.” (http://chronicle.augusta.com/topics/people/james-brown#more) The exhibition featured rare memorable and personal artifacts which vividly tell the story of Brown’s rise to worldwide fame. The exhibit recounts the life of James Brown and highlights the events that led to his global fame. It shows artifacts and costumes from many different decades that were worn by Brown in his performances. One of the more specific artifacts is the ‘King of Soul’ crown that he wore in the 1950s. The exhibit included the programs of the James Brown Memorial Services in December 25th of 2006; these programs are from the memorial services held in New York, Augusta, and South Carolina. Family photos with candid images of Brown and his children, on tour, at home, and during philanthropic activities; Kiosks add interactive features to the exhibit for more enjoyment by the visitors. Interactive kiosks highlight the often imitated, but never duplicated, sound of Brown’s horn-driven funk music and enable exhibit visitors to experience his musical evolution as a singer, composer, and performer. His remarkable legacy is told through oral histories of musicians, politicians, and entertainers. Excerpts of interviews with individuals who owe influence to James Brown and more contribute personal stories and insights into Brown as a performer, philanthropist, and musician. The exhibit also illustrates how Brown used his music and celebrity to positively impact the Civil Rights Movement and race relations of the 1960s. The other great exhibition that was an eye opener to me is the last governor of Augusta Carl Edward Sanders. I often wondered when I passed Interstate 20 I always passed by Carl Sanders Highway and wondered who is this significant gentleman and now I’ve been introduced to the man himself “Carl Edward Sanders, native Augustan and former governor Carl E. Sanders is known for his vision and efforts in those and many other programs that helped make Augusta what it is today. In 1954, Sanders won a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. He won a seat in the Georgia Senate in 1956. He served two years as president pro tempore of the Senate. Sanders defeated former governor Marvin Griffin in the 1962 primary. Sanders was the first Georgia governor from an urban area since the 1920s and he was the first modern Georgia governor nominated in the Democratic Party primary by the popular vote, following the end of the County Unit System. As Governor, Sanders worked to improve education and the environment. Sanders also led the transition toward racial desegregation, cooperating with John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on complying with civil rights laws. Under the term limit law then in effect, Sanders was ineligible to run for re-election. He left office at the peak of his popularity, and turned down several jobs from President Johnson. He returned to run an unsuccessful campaign for Governor in 1970 against future President Jimmy Carter, who is accused by some of employing race baiting tactics to defeat Sanders in the Democratic primary. Carter's campaign criticized Sanders for paying tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. and distributed grainy photographs of Sanders arm-in-arm celebrating with two black men. At the time, Sanders was part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks and the two black men were Hawks players celebrating after a victory. After the loss in the primary, Sanders left electoral politics to concentrate on the practice of law. As of 2007, he is Chairman Emeritus at the law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP. So when driving the stretch of I-20 between Madison and Augusta that bears the name Carl Sanders Highway or enjoying the many benefits of his efforts, we should remember this native son who rose from modest beginnings and did us proud.” (http://chronicle.augusta.com/life/people/2011-11-12/carl-sanders-last-governor-augusta) My overall reaction after attending the event is nothing like I imagined nor like your typical ordinary Museum, yet it was the most exciting and informative visit. The Augusta Museum History didn’t have a store for shopping or a Restaurant or Cafeteria. It was simply the museum that provides a thorough history of Augusta. It’s just a simple walk through two floored Museum with great historical facts of the many happenings in Augusta. I'll admit I didn't make it to some of the exhibits the baseball and golf ones would've been cool but I didn’t make it to the those, instead I was interested most in the James Brown exhibit. They have different outfits and album covers on display. You can even watch some videos and hear some of his music. I was more than ecstatic and enlighten at a lot of the information that I had in taken. I was pleased with the beauty and cleanliness of the Museum this Museum would be best recommend for mature audience and one who is interested in the deeper analyst of the history, events and artifacts found in Augusta Georgia.

References

James Brown. Retrieved from http://chronicle.augusta.com/life/people/2011-11-12/carl-sanders-last-governor-augusta
Carl Sanders: Last governor from Augusta. Retrieved from http://chronicle.augusta.com/life/people/2011-11-12/carl-sanders-last-governor-augusta