A powerful moment in Griffin’s history was commemorated on Saturday, July 19, as community members, historians, and civic leaders gathered for the unveiling of a Historic Marker at the future site of Our Legacy Museum, located at 547 North 3rd Street. The event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate the African-American heritage of Griffin-Spalding County.
The marker honors the legacy of the Griffin School, one of Georgia’s 243 Rosenwald Schools built with support from the Rosenwald Fund; a visionary partnership between Booker T. Washington and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald that transformed education for African-American children in the segregated South. The Griffin School, later known as Fairmont High School, played a vital role in vocational and academic training for Black students from its founding in 1929 until school integration in the early 1970s.
Among the distinguished guests was Dr. Dorothy Canter, a leading advocate from the Rosenwald National Park Campaign, who spoke passionately about the national significance of Rosenwald Schools and the importance of preserving their legacy. “This marker is not just a tribute to a building,” Dr. Canter said. “It’s a tribute to the generations of students, educators, and families who believed in the power of education to uplift communities.”
The unveiling ceremony also featured remarks from Spalding County Commissioners, presentations of concept plans for the museum, and community engagement activities. Though the museum exhibits are still under construction and expected to open in 2026, the event offered a glimpse into the vision behind Our Legacy Museum; a cultural institution dedicated to sharing the stories of Griffin-Spalding’s African-American community within a regional and national context.
The marker was erected through a collaborative effort involving the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Spalding County, the Fairmont Alumni Association, and the Our Legacy Museum Steering Committee. It stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Rosenwald Schools and the community’s commitment to honoring its past while building a more inclusive future.