Athens, Georgia, has plenty of things to do and to experience during Black History Month. Each year, we look forward to celebrating and honoring African-American heritage and the numerous contributions Black Athenians have made to our community.
Did you know?
- 2021 is the 60th Anniversary of desegregation at UGA? Special exhibits celebrate this milestone.
- The Morton Theatre is one of the few remaining vaudeville theatres built, owned and operated by a Black man, Pink Morton?
- The Morton Theatre housed Georgia's first black female dentist, and a black pharmacy?
- Pink Morton is among many distinguished Black Athenians buried at Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery?]
- Learn more about Black Heritage in Athens
In addition to special events and exhibits, we invite you to take this opportunity to go on a self-guided tour of African-American Heritage in Athens to visit many of the important sites. So, make plans now to make the most of Black History Month in Athens, Georgia!
New Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery Tour
For Black History Month, University of Georgia's Department of History and Franklin Residential College are sponsoring a walking tour and cemetery clean up on Feb. 20 at Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery, a historic African American Cemetery in East Athens. Historians at UGA have been documenting the experiences of Black Athenians, including new data and surveying of local black cemeteries, including Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery. A new walking tour has been developed and Black History Month is the perfect occasion to explore this historic Black Cemetery where notable Athenians are buried, including Pink Morton, who built, owned and operated the Morton Theatre. UGA students involved in this project will give tours at the direction of Dr. Benjamin Ehlers. Franklin Residential College students will also be working to maintain the cemetery; visitors are welcome to pitch in with these efforts, but it’s not required. Learn more, below:
