The past is coming to life again as the Augusta History Museum gears up for its annual “Night at the Museum” show.
Each year the museum presents an elaborate dramatic exhibition in which actors — mostly local performers — portray historical figures who have some connection to the Garden City.
“The lights are going to go off, except for spotlights in 10 locations, five on the first floor, five on the second,” said Nancy Glaser, the museum’s executive director. “In those spotlights, we’re going to have characters from the past, who are going to give four-minute theatre presentations about their particular character.”
The museum hosts up to 80 guests, over two shows, or tours, in the evening: the first at 6 p.m. and the second at 7:30 p.m. One group is treated to drinks and hors d’oeuvres before the beginning of the show, which lasts about an hour. After the first group, the museum makes way for the second round of attendees.
Glaser recalls conceiving the unconventional edutainment tour years ago after watching the “Night at the Museum” fantasy film from 2006, in which a security guard at the Museum of Natural History has adventures with exhibits magically come to life.
“I kind of let this marinate a little bit,” Glaser said. “I thought, ‘I may present this the next board meeting.’ And I did, and they latched on to it. The board of trustees loved the idea. They said, ‘Let’s make it a fundraiser.’”
Money raised for by the show goes toward the museum’s exhibitions, programs and preservation efforts, noted Glaser.
Daniel “D.U.B.” Sapp, a Grammy-winning producer and music educator based in Augusta, will depict James Brown in a musical presentation on how the Godfather of Soul transformed modern music, being a key influence on the development of hip-hop.
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Perry Smith with depict former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a member of Augusta National Golf Club.
This year’s roster will feature eight other personalities from Augusta’s past, including former Julia Dent of Dent’s Undertaking Establishment, a Black-owned Augusta funeral home, NASA astronaut and Augusta native Susan Still Kilrain and writer Margaret Mitchell.
“She didn’t live here, but she came to the Bon Air [Hotel],” said Glaser about the “Gone With the Wind” author. She also notes Alister MacKenzie, who designed the Augusta National Golf Club, has an association to the area.
“Of course, he didn’t live here. He was Scottish. But he came to work with Bobby Jones,” Glaser said. “So they have a connection to Augusta in some fashion.”
The Night at the Museum event will be Thursday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m., and again at 7:30 p.m. at the Augusta Museum of History, 560 Reynolds St. For tickets or more information, visit www.augustamuseum.org.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
