Augusta, GA
Lucy C. Laney Museum teaching MLK’s ties to Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are once again being celebrated across the nation today.
The civil rights icon is the only non-president with a federal holiday named in his honor.
On Monday, we learned the Lucy Craft Laney Museum is working to teach that history.
King was assassinated in April of 1968 when he was just 39 years old. He would be turning 96 this month.
King’s home congregation was in Atlanta – and just a few hours away, Augusta is full of history and ties to MLK as well.
History – we’re surrounded by it.
“One of the great things about Augusta is that we have a long legacy of civil rights here,” said Corey Rogers, a historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History.
Names like reverend C.S. Hamilton and Lucy Craft Laney. Then there’s one name connected to Augusta in more ways than one.
“His entire family would often come here to Augusta for different Baptist conventions and different conferences that were being held here,” said Rogers.
Growing up, Dr. King and his family would stay at the Bohler House on Phillips Steet.
Far from his last stay here.
“Dr. King came here in 1962 with other civil rights leaders like Wyatt Walker, and they came here to talk about voter registration and voter education,” said Rogers.
Fast forward six years later.
“His return trip was geared around the second march on Washington, which was being framed as the poor people’s march,” said Rogers. “So he was crisscrossing Georgia, rallying people. Rallying the grassroots, getting them ready for this second march on Washington. Unfortunately, about a week and a half after leaving Augusta, he would be assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.”
Times have changed since – but one thing remains constant.
“Connecting people with their civil rights roots, telling them about the richness of Augusta and how the students at Paine College, the preachers in Augusta, the students from Augusta, came together and affected change in our city,” said Rogers.
Ensuring generations to come remember those who came before.
“It’s incumbent upon us to dig a little bit deeper,” said Corey Rogers, a historian at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. “Find out those connections between Dr. King and other civil rights leaders in those respective towns and share those stories because everybody, every town, every city has a very unique story to tell as it relates to civil rights and Dr. King.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Construction continues on the James Brown Linear Park in downtown Augusta, with ceiling tiles now installed inside the park structures.
The tiles feature designs showcasing the Godfather of Soul from different years in his career.
According to the city, the completed park will include an interactive water feature that will “dance” to Brown’s greatest hits. A statue of the music icon will return to a new stage at the park.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
World7 minutes agoTwo-train crash leaves at least 1 dead, 89 injured as emergency crews rush to chaotic scene
-
Politics10 minutes agoDouble endorsement drama: Trump backs second candidate in red state’s GOP gubernatorial runoff
-
Health15 minutes agoMeasles-infected traveler may have exposed passengers at LAX and nearby hotel, health officials warn
-
Sports22 minutes agoWorld Cup Red Cards: 2026 Has More Red Cards Than Each Of Last 2 World Cups
-
Technology25 minutes agoChina’s brain chip breakthrough raises big questions
-
Business30 minutes agoRanch lovers can soon travel with a TSA-friendly kit of the popular American dressing
-
Entertainment37 minutes agoAt the Fonda, Jane Remover’s violent yearning heralds a new kind of stardom
-
Lifestyle40 minutes agoBeer, with a twist? SoCal dads find solidarity through an unexpected activity
