About the Museum
Documents James Brown's hometown from Native American settlement through Masters Golf Tournament. Collections include Civil War history, textile manufacturing, and music heritage.
As Augusta's oldest historical agency since 1937, the museum curates the largest and most significant historical collection in the Central Savannah River Area. The permanent exhibition "Augusta's Story" takes visitors on a 12,000-year journey through regional history, featuring more than 10,000 artifacts. The museum serves as a vital research and resource center for historians, media organizations, and the public, preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Central Savannah River region.
The museum's crown jewel is its James Brown exhibit, celebrating the Godfather of Soul who grew up in Augusta during the Great Depression. Interactive kiosks showcase Brown's horn-driven funk music and his evolution as a performer, while ever-changing displays feature his costumes, family photos, and original vinyl albums. The golf history exhibition explores Augusta's global connection to the Masters Tournament, featuring five life-size statues of golf's greatest players. Additional highlights include the Local Legends exhibition honoring area entertainers and athletes, the Transportation Corridor showcasing 150 years of regional transit history, and remarkable artifacts including a 1902 Crestmobile, an 1890 steam locomotive, an antique cotton gin, and Civil War relics.
Exhibits and Collections
The museum's collections represent the 12,000-year past of Augusta and the Central Savannah River Area through two- and three-dimensional objects, photographs, archives, and a rare books library. The award-winning permanent exhibition "Augusta's Story" anchors the visit, with highlights that include a 12-pounder bronze Napoleon cannon tube, a reconstructed 56-foot Petersburg boat, and an 1869 steam fire engine.
- The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown — a first-of-its-kind exhibition featuring rare, memorable, and personal artifacts that tell the story of Brown's rise to worldwide fame.
- Celebrating a Grand Tradition — exploring the history of golf in Augusta, the people who changed the game, and the courses that made the region a golf destination.
- Transportation Corridor — following more than 150 years of regional transportation history, including the 1917 steam engine "Old 302."
- Signature, Special, and Online Exhibitions — including Local Legends, Protect and Serve, and the online Camp Hancock: WWI in Augusta.
The museum also hosts annual programs and events such as the Jimmie Dyess Symposium, Night at the Museum, the Holiday Gingerbread Village, and All Aboard! The Museum Express, along with guided, self-guided, audio, and customized Primary Source tours.
Planning Your Visit
The Augusta Museum of History is located at 560 Reynolds Street in downtown Augusta, near the Savannah River. To learn more about current exhibitions, programs, group tours, and event rentals, visit the museum's official website at augustamuseum.org.
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