Augusta Museum of History

Emerson Boozer Jersey
In continuing with the Augusta Museum of History’s focus to collect and preserve artifacts connected to notable people from Augusta, the Museum has received a signed New York Jets jersey and print from football great Emerson Boozer. Boozer played for the 1961 – 62 Lucy Laney High School State football championship team and was named Most Valuable Player of the championship game. Boozer had a stellar career as a half-back in New York with the highlight being a Super Bowl win in 1968 over the Baltimore Colts.

Last Man’s Club Collection
George Lenz Jr. has recently donated to the Museum a collection of documents, programs, and posters dealing with the Richmond Hussars Last Man’s Club. The Last Man’s Club was formed in 1929 from the veterans who had served in the Richmond Hussars in the Mexican Punitive Expedition in 1916 and who were incorporated into Company C, 106th Field Signal Battalion during World War I. The purpose of the Last Man’s club was to meet every year until the last living member of the group would toast his fallen friends. The club met every year in Augusta until 1989. The last man was the donor’s father, George Lenz Sr.

Governor’s Chair
Governor Carl E. Sanders has donated a collection of material to the Augusta Museum of History along with this unique chair. The collection includes photographs of himself with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, campaign ephemera, books, and awards.

Governor Sanders enacted major reforms in Georgia’s education, government, and economic development. He was born in Augusta in 1925 and attended the University of Georgia. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Sanders returned to UGA and graduated with a law degree. While practicing law in Augusta he became active in politics and soon and was elected to the office of Governor.

Titleholders Collection
In the history of golf in Augusta on of the most compelling stories is of the women’s Titleholder golf tournament. The tournament was held at the Augusta Country Club from 1937 to 1966 and in Florida in the 1990s. The Titleholders was one of the premier women’s golf tournaments in the country and an important part of Augusta’s history. The Women’s Titleholders Golf Association recently donated the organization and tournament operation records to the Augusta Museum of History as well as pins patches, and posters from past tournaments. This collection has been processed and made available to researchers.

Augusta Yankees Baseball - 1961
Made by Rawlings, this official Southern Athletic League baseball was signed by the twenty-six members of the Augusta Yankees. A number of the players later moved up to the major leagues.

Confederate Copper Funnel -1863
Used to load gunpowder into artillery shells, this funnel is made of copper to prevent sparks. This type of tool was made at various Confederate arsenals to help with the dangerous process of making ammunition.

George S. Turner Clock - ca. 1840
During the antebellum period, Southern clockmakers purchased the internal clock works from Northern makers such as Seth Thomas. The Southern clockmakers then built the cabinets and sold completed clocks. George Turner was one of several Augusta clockmakers.

Girl Scout Uniform - 1942
Mrs. Frank B. Williams wore this Girl Scout uniform in the 1940s. The uniform is noteworthy for its condition and the variety of insignia. In addition to the uniform Mrs. Williams also donated a large variety of other Girl Scout equipment items.

Our Big Book Reader - 1955
A part of popular beginning reader books, known as Dick and Jane, this oversized book was used to teach reading to groups of children. The book covers included a folding stand to allow the teacher to set the book up on the floor.

Camp Hancock Newspaper - ca. 1918
The Caisson was the newspaper of the Ordnance Training Camp of Camp Hancock. This is the first edition of the newspaper printed to serve the soldiers being trained to handle ammunition and the maintenance of army equipment.

Hat - ca. 1937
Official Boy Scouts of America hat in the Montana Peak style. This hat belonged to John Phinizy.
Donated by Mrs. Katherine Mackie

Painting - ca. 1975
oil on canvas
This rendition of the Ezekiel Harris House was painted by former Georgia first lady, Betty Foy Sanders. At the time, Mrs. Sanders lived in Country Club Hills and often passed by the Harris House.
Donated by Mrs. Betty Foy Sanders and Mr. Carl Sanders, Jr.

Purple Heart - ca. 1943
This Purple Heart was awarded posthumously to Harrell S. Steed. Mr. Steed was a native Augustan, a Georgia Power employee, and a local disc jockey. In World War II he became an enlisted Marine Corps pilot. In March 1943 he went missing in action in the Solomon Islands.Donated by Mr. Warren G. Davis