Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Columbus Museum

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 25, 2017

1. The Columbus Museum Marker

Inscription.

The Columbus Museum. . , The Columbus Museum traces its history back to the efforts in the 1920s of several local citizens and civic groups to raise awareness of the need for a museum in the city. Formal efforts at establishing the Museum got underway in 1940, culminating with the opening of the institution in 1953. In 1972, it became among the first museums to be accredited by the American Association of Museums., Today, it is one of the largest museums in the Southeast and a vital part of the cultural life of Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley. , The Museum has supported a dual mission focusing on both American art and regional culture since its inception. It has developed outstanding art and historical collections; staged hundreds of special exhibitions; produced numerous publications; and offered a wide variety of educational programs in its effort to enrich the lives of all. The Museum has been involved with numerous archaeological and public history projects throughout the region and has served as a key partner in many community-development initiatives. , Throughout its existence, the Museum has served as a gathering spot for those interested in learning about regional culture and art. It has partnered with the Muscogee County School District to serve thousands of school children as a center for cultural education., Sidebar: , Originally housed in the former home of businessman W.C. Bradley, the Museum has undergone several expansions over the years. The most recent, which brought the total interior floor space to almost 90,000 square feet, was designed to complement the historic home’s Mediterranean Revival architecture., Euphan Collier Stewart helped stage some of the earliest major art exhibitions in Columbus and was a driving force in creating initial interest for a museum in the 1920s. Her sister Georgia Collier Comer left a bequest in her memory that played a critical role in funding the Museum., Columbus native and accomplished artist Edward Swift Shorter headed organized efforts to create a museum for over a decade. Recognized as the inspiration behind the creation of the Museum, he served as its first director and maintained a close connection to the institution after his retirement., Captions: , The Columbus Museum, ca. 1970 , Euphan Collier Stewart , Edward Swift Shorter , Grand opening of new Museum wing, 1963 , Opening of Museum's Indian Gallery, 1957 , Transformations Gallery

The Columbus Museum traces its history back to the efforts in the 1920s of several local citizens and civic groups to raise awareness of the need for a museum in the city. Formal efforts at establishing the Museum got underway in 1940, culminating with the opening of the institution in 1953. In 1972, it became among the first museums to be accredited by the American Association of Museums.

Today, it is one of the largest museums in the Southeast and a vital part of the cultural life of Columbus and the Chattahoochee Valley.

The Museum has supported a dual mission focusing on both American art and regional culture since its inception. It has developed outstanding art and historical collections; staged hundreds of special exhibitions; produced numerous publications; and offered a wide variety of educational programs in its effort to enrich the lives of all. The Museum has been involved with numerous archaeological and public history projects throughout the region and has served as a key partner in many community-development initiatives.

Throughout its existence, the Museum has served as a gathering spot for those interested

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in learning about regional culture and art. It has partnered with the Muscogee County School District to serve thousands of school children as a center for cultural education.

Sidebar:
Originally housed in the former home of businessman W.C. Bradley, the Museum has undergone several expansions over the years. The most recent, which brought the total interior floor space to almost 90,000 square feet, was designed to complement the historic home’s Mediterranean Revival architecture.

Euphan Collier Stewart helped stage some of the earliest major art exhibitions in Columbus and was a driving force in creating initial interest for a museum in the 1920s. Her sister Georgia Collier Comer left a bequest in her memory that played a critical role in funding the Museum.

Columbus native and accomplished artist Edward Swift Shorter headed organized efforts to create a museum for over a decade. Recognized as the inspiration behind the creation of the Museum, he served as its first director and maintained a close connection to the institution after his retirement.

Captions:
The Columbus Museum, ca. 1970
Euphan Collier Stewart
Edward Swift Shorter
Grand

The Columbus Museum and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, December 25, 2017

2. The Columbus Museum and Marker

The marker can be seen in this view to the far left.

opening of new Museum wing, 1963
Opening of Museum's Indian Gallery, 1957
Transformations Gallery

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 32° 28.003′ N, 84° 58.432′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. It is on Wynnton Road west of Blandford Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus GA 31906, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wynnton Community

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(here, next to this marker); The First Breech Loading Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bradley Olmsted Garden (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Elms (approx. half a mile away); William H. Spencer High School (approx. half a mile away); “Columbus Stockade Blues” (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. James AME Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Holsey Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 500 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.