African American Museum

Twelve years ago, a group of determined pillars of the community came together to establish the foundation for this museum. Their mission was to preserve the cultural heritage of communities who attended the Cornelia Regional [Colored] School (CRCS); an “equalization” school built and maintained by Boards of Education in Banks, Habersham, Rabun, and White counties from 1955-1966. The school was built to avoid integration of the high schools of Banks, Rabun and White counties. Students from these counties were bused to Cornelia Regional [Colored] School, when entering high school.

"The state of Georgia, through its equalization schools, attempted to improve black schools but not so much as to upset the status quo among whites. State officials mostly intended to demonstrate to the federal courts that Georgia was in step with the “separate but equal” doctrine, which it had vigorously denied for the previous half century."

Equalization Schools in Georgia's African-American Communities, 1951-1970

HABERSHAM COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, iNC.

A self-guided museum that requires several visits!