A president, a female golfer, a war hero turned pro baseball player and a groundbreaking psychiatrist/New York Times’ bestselling author. They are all part of the fabric of Augusta’s history and are among the people visitors will meet after hours Aug. 14 at the 12th Annual Night at the Museum.
“We look for people who have a really good story to tell. We look for people we have not done before. Augusta Is rich with individuals like that,” said Nancy Glaser, the museum’s executive director.
There are only 80 tickets available for the event, and they sell quickly, Glaser said.
Similar to the movie of the same name, the event takes place after museum hours and the figures from exhibits come to life. Except for some candles and a spotlight on the actors playing the historical figure, the event takes place in the dark.
Groups are small for safety reasons.
Historical figures at this year’s event include Dorothy Walton will be portrayed by Ransom Schwerzler, the executive director of Meadow Garden, the home of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence. In 1779, Dorothy Walton was captured at sea by the British and was held in Antigua through the Christmas season until early 1780 when she was exchanged for two British colonels, according to a news release from the museum.
Artist A.C. Daniel will present David Drake, also known as Dave the Potter, who was known for his skills in pottery. He lived most of his life enslaved by multiple men in the district of Edgefield. Dave is known for writing on his pottery, the initials of his enslaver, the date, short poems and even his name. These powerful words set his pottery apart from other pottery made in Edgefield and in America, according to the news release.
As Katherine Hagler, Caroline Dial will tell the story of Tubman High School after the 1916 Fire, which swept across downtown Augusta burning over 600 buildings from 8th Street to East Boundary including Tubman High School. Five days later, students from Tubman met in the Sunday School Building of First Presbyterian Church on Telfair Street. Katherine Hagler, a freshman at Tubman, spoke during that meeting, encouraging her fellow students and remembering the woman who started the school, Emily Tubman, the release said.
Gary Dennis will bring Lou Brissie, a longtime resident of North Augusta, to life. In 1941, pitcher Lou Brissie attracted the attention of Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics. But Lou’s father and Mack insisted that he attend college first and he headed off to nearby Presbyterian College. With America’s entrance into WWII, Brissie enlisted in the Army in December 1942 and on Dec. 7, 1944, his division was caught in battle. An artillery shell broke both of Brissie’s feet and shattered his left tibia and shinbone. The medics wanted to amputate but Brissie refused, knowing this would end his dreams of playing in the Majors. He underwent 23 surgeries and constant rehab. On Sept. 28, 1947, after pitching in Savannah for the Sally League, Brissie made his Major League debut for the Philadelphia Athletics, the release said.,
Presented by Ben Casella, Dr. Hervey Cleckley was a world-renowned psychiatrist who taught for many years in Augusta at the Medical College of Georgia. His book, “The Mask of Sanity,” was first published in 1941, and quickly became the definitive work of the psychopathic personality with the fifth edition still in print. In 1956, Cleckley and his colleague, Dr. Corbett Thigpen, published “The Three Faces of Eve.” This book was the first book to fully validate the multiple personality disorder. “The Three Faces of Eve” was a New York Times’ best seller, sold more than three million copies. It was made into a film starring Joanne Woodward who received an Academy Award for her performance. The film’s premiere was at the Miller Theater.
Becky Weimar will bring Patty Berg to life. Berg won the first Titleholders Championship at the Augusta County Club in 1937. This tournament was known as the companion to the Augusta National’s Master’s Tournament and was one of very few tournaments for women. Berg went on to win seven total Titleholders and was also one of the 13 women who started the LPGA. Because of the dedication of Berg, Babe Zeharias, Louise Suggs and others, many women’s golf tournaments were created.
Matt Porter will portray Maj. Archibald Butt on the deck of the Titanic after dinner on April 13, 1912. Instead of his military uniform, he will be wearing civilian attire he as he sails back to the United States. He has been abroad for some weeks on diplomatic visits for President William Howard Taft and shares about the strained political scene in America due to disagreements between the current President, William Howard Taft and past President, Teddy Roosevelt, the news release said.
Maj. Gen Perry Smith will portray Dwight D. Eisenhower, who wore many hats during his lifetime. Not only was he a military general and President of the United States, but in Augusta he was known for his love of golf, the Augusta National and his connection to Reid Memorial Church.
Tera Jackson will bring the energy of Sharon Jones to the event. Jones, who lived in New York and North Augusta, was a vocalist who performed with the Dap Kings. The Sharon Jones Amphitheatre was named in her honor.
Jaida Jenkins will present a special tribute to The James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils, also known as JAMP, which started 14 years ago with a handful of students. Jaida Jenkins was one of those students, and she will share what that first year was like and how it shaped her life.
Tours will be at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for active duty military and veterans. (Military discount tickets will require verification of identification at the door) For more information cll (706) 722-8454.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and received the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
