Mamie Hillman has been working to “unearth the narratives” of Greene County’s Black heritage for more than 25 years.
And Oglethorpe County residents are interested.
Around 20 people gathered Tuesday at the Oglethorpe County Library for the monthly Historic Oglethorpe County meeting to hear a presentation from Hillman, founder and director of the Greene County African American Museum.
Hillman told her story of growing up at the height of segregation, as well as her inspiration behind creating the museum, which opened its doors on Oct. 16, 2021 with the intention of spreading awareness, both the good and the bad.
“I went through segregated schools and our teachers had no idea of the narratives,” said Hillman, who was raised in White Plains. “Our parents had no idea. So we did not know that there were men and women doing wonderful things in the community.”
Hillman was spurred by a desire to pay tribute to the “Original 33” — the first 33 Black members of the Georgia General Assembly, who were expelled from the Capitol because of their color in 1868.
Among these 33 was Abram Colby of Greene County, who had a story that Hillman said “pricked (her) heart.”
Hillman also wanted to start identifying Black burial sites outside of Penfield Cemetery, where Black residents were historically buried without markers beyond the cemetery gates.
The contents of the museum include artifacts, photographs, books and household items, which Hillman has collected over the course of her life.
Historic Oglethorpe County members witnessed this knowledge on a visit to the museum last May.
Jean and Richard Westmacott, who live in Stephens and are active members of HOC, heard the museum was displaying an exhibition based on Richard’s book, African-American Gardens and Yards in the Rural South.
They decided to visit and took the opportunity to bring along some HOC members.
“Mamie just gave a wonderful tour,” Westmacott said. “She was very open about what had happened, but she didn't over-dramatize things either, and she was incredibly friendly, and she seemed delighted that we had come, that we were interested.”
Westmacott announced at the end of Hillman’s presentation that HOC would donate $100 to the museum.
“I think we should look at the whole history of our county, and that should include Native American history, African American history, European history, etc.,” Westmacott said. “I think we have to be open to the good and the bad in our own history, be honest about it, so we can learn from mistakes.”
Hillman said she hopes for a continued relationship.
“We need to learn to dialogue and collaborate together, because we can accomplish more together than we can separate,” she said.
The Greene County African American Museum is located at 1415 Northeast St. in Greensboro. Send an email to mamie@gcaam.org to make an appointment. For more info, go to gcaam.org.