A golf ball? A sequined cape worn by the Godfather of Soul? A picture of Trooper Terry? A sign from Fat Man’s Forest?
Natalie Smith, registrar at the Augusta Museum of History, wants to know what items, people and places symbolize Augusta to its residents.
“I borrowed the idea from the Atlanta History Center,” said Smith referring to an exhibit called Atlanta in 50 Objects.
Smith wants to create an Augusta in 50 Objects’ exhibit that will go on display during the summer, and to help with that she’s developed a questionnaire that’s available at https://form.jotform.com/212286003229044 to find out what types of objects Augustans think sum up the city.
The survey was released Jan. 18, and Smith has gotten a lot of responses that she expected, but others she had to look up to find the answer to.
“I’m from Georgia, but I’m not from Augusta,” she said.
[adrotate banner=”51″]
She expected to hear about The Masters and James Brown as icons of Augusta. The military and cyber also weren’t surprising. But others she’d never heard of included TV personality Trooper Terry and Fat Man’s Forest.
The 10-question survey will be online until March 1. Then she’ll take the top answers and see what items are in the collection that correspond to the list.
Smith said she hopes to be able to highlight lesser-known parts of the museum’s collection in the exhibit. The museum already has a permanent display devoted to James Brown.
When it’s curated, the display will be placed on the second floor of the museum’s rotunda.
If she gets more than 50, Smith said she could create a mix of 3D memorabilia with photographs. The museum holds the photographic collections of Fitz-Symms, Frank Christian and Robert Wilkinson.
Space is one of her main limitations.
Smith said she would love to be able to have some type of event to open the display, but that will depend on COVID-19.
To learn more about the Augusta Museum of History, visit augustamuseum.org.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Managing Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
