Augusta Historic Site Secured Research Grant

Historic Augusta Inc. received a grant to document African American roles during the Civil War era.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in African-American

Screen-print poster illustration of a weathered wooden crate on a floor, evoking a sense of quiet historical archival research. — Historic Augusta Inc. secured a $1,000 grant from the Southeastern Museums Conference to document African American history in 1860s Augusta. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Historic Augusta Inc. has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Southeastern Museums Conference to research African American history in 1860s Augusta. The funds will support a museum internship for Mercer University graduate Peyton Millwood.

Why it matters

The project addresses a historical gap, as detailed records regarding the lives and contributions of African Americans who worked in Augusta households during the Civil War era have remained difficult to document.

Historic Augusta Inc. secured the $1,000 Handumy Jean Tahan Museum Fund Internship Grant. The research focuses on the 1858 to 1870 period, specifically within the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson.

The players

Historic Augusta Inc.

This is a preservation organization dedicated to protecting the historic buildings and sites within the Augusta community.

Peyton Millwood

She is a Mercer University graduate selected to serve as the museum intern for this research initiative.

Woodrow Wilson

He served as the 28th President of the United States and spent part of his childhood in an Augusta home that now serves as a museum.

Southeastern Museums Conference

This organization serves as a regional network of museum professionals that provides funding and support for cultural heritage institutions.

The details

Intern Peyton Millwood will utilize the funding to conduct in-depth research on African Americans employed by the Wilson family. The initiative aims to produce a scholarly report that will allow the organization to broaden the historical narratives presented to visitors at the site.

1858-1870: Timeframe when African Americans worked for the Wilson family in Augusta.
1860s: Primary period of research focus for the new internship project.

Culture Shift

This project represents a wider move toward correcting historical omissions in regional heritage sites by elevating previously marginalized voices. By focusing on household workers rather than just political figures, the institution follows a pattern set by the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson to broaden its historical scope.

Residents and visitors will eventually see updated exhibits and expanded storytelling at the local historic site as a result of this research. This effort provides the public with a more complete understanding of 19th-century life in the city.

The takeaway

Local history research projects serve as a vital tool for recovering the forgotten stories of daily life in previous centuries. Readers interested in regional heritage can support such efforts by visiting local museums and engaging with newly expanded exhibit programming.