APS To Unveil Archives and Museum
APS / APS
Atlanta Public Schools will unveil its new Archives and Museum Friday, June 7. The project celebrates more than 140 years of history which for some, may reveal surprises.
APS unveils Archives and Museum
The museum is the first of a two phase project by the Atlanta Board of Education to house and archive the history of Atlanta Public Schools. It will trace the first 100 years or so of APS‘ history, says Dr. Howard Grant, executive Director for the Board of Education.
“We have artifacts, we have newspaper clippings, we have many photographs that trace our history from our first school buildings to our former board members from the 1800’s, 1900’s.”
Despite the recent cheating scandal, Grant says APS has a broad and important history. “In spite of the most recent history we’ve been making, it’s important for people to understand and appreciate the rich history that we’ve had.”
Atlanta public education goes back to 1866, he says, starting with public education for black students. “And it wasn’t until a white Catholic Priest, that actually came in and wanted to establish a public school system that was inclusive of all students, black and white, and that’s when they started the first Board of Education in 1869 and petitioned the City Council.”
The museum explores everything from Margaret Mitchell’s role in public education, to the first long distance telephone call, which was made from APS. They have the actual phone there. And scattered throughout the museum you’ll find evidence of WABE, since 1926, since APS was the first school system to have its own radio station. The board of education still holds WABE’s license .
Dr. Grant says, “It all started with the whole technical and vocational-tech curriculum put forward in Atlanta public schools early on.”
The museum will be open for tours after Friday. Phase two of the archive project will be the electronic side, including a searchable website.
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