African-American Alliance: Museum moving forward after new lease
By W. WINSTON SKINNER
winston@newnan.com
The African-American Alliance has a new lease with the city of Newnan and is moving forward with fundraising, membership and operations of the museum.
AAA has operated a museum in a shotgun house adjacent to the Farmer Street Cemetery for several years. The museum is a repository of information about black residents of Coweta County throughout its history.
Issues have been resolved, and a new lease was approved by the Newnan City Council several weeks ago. “We do have a lease. Everything is settled, and we’re good to go,” said Toni Teagle, AAA president.
Teagle said the group is working on increasing membership, raising money, getting involved in the community – and continuing to operate the museum which is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m and Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
“The door’s open,” Teagle said. “We’re up and running.”
One of Teagle’s top priorities is growing membership. “Our membership is low a little bit,” she said.
AAA offers three levels of membership – student, $10; individual, $20; and family, $25. Dues may be sent to AAA, 92 Farmer St., Newnan, GA 30263.
“We have levels of membership that make it easy for people to join,” Teagle said.
Teagle said she hopes someone will donate a new computer to the research center “to bring things up to par.” Copier supplies – such as ink and toner – are also an ongoing need.
She has talked with Central Educational Center staff about spiffing up the AAA website. “We need to come up to date,” Teagle said.
The museum has been serving as a site for meal distribution as part of the summer program sponsored by Bridging the Gap. AAA is a sponsor of The Worship Experience, which will be bringing Vickie Yohe to the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts on Lower Fayetteville Road on Sunday.
Tickets to the Centre event are for sale at the AAA Museum, at Morgan Jewelers at Ashley Park, at Envogue Styling Salon and online at www.the-worship-experience.whindo.com .
Tickets are $15 in advance and will be $18 at the door at the 6 p.m. concert.
Michael El Daico will be worship leader, the St. Smyrna Choir and Dancers, T&I, True Image and Felice Messam will also be sharing their gifts.
AAA is also making plans for a membership festival in the near future. Teagle said the organization is working with the community – “trying to get some things up and moving.”
