A History of the
Gainesville-Hall County Black History Society, Inc.
A casual conversation pertaining to the feasibility of compiling and publishing an African- American pictorial history of Hall County resulted in the founding of the Gainesville -Hall County Black History Society. In March 2002, as a consequence of their conversation, Ella Jean Wilmont Smith and Linda Rucker Hutchens contacted and invited citizens representing Hall County's African-American community to serve on a Black History committee.
The first organizational meeting was held on Saturday, April 20, 2002 at 11:00 am in the Hall County Library Headquarter's conference room. Original elected officers were: Linda Hutchens, Chairperson; Ella Jean Smith, Co-chairperson; Bobbie Jean Cox, Secretary; Gladystine Green, Assistant Secretary; Charles R. Morrow, Treasurer; Walter J. Rucker, Legal Consultant; and Nathaniel Shelton, Photographic Consultant.
Original members and contributors were: Mary Render Acree, James Brooks, Jerry Castleberry, Gary M.Cox, Linda Cheeks Carruth, Doris W. Evans, Samuel B. Evans, Myrtle Figueras, Una W. Fortson, Jennie Harris, Patricia B. Hudson, Berlinda Lipscomb, William H. Maxey, Willie Mitchell, Major Nelson, Adrian Niles, Beverly Randolph, Donna Stringer, Doris Thomas, Walter Thomas, Frances L. Williams, Alphia Wills, James Wills, Catherine Wilmont, and Tiffany Young.
The official name of the organization, the Gainesville-Hall County Black History Society (GHCBHS) was determined. The organization's purpose was expanded to include the study, collection, display, preservation, compilation, and dissemination of pertinent and significant African- American historical data and artifacts.
In late 2002, the Gainesville-Hall County Black History Society collaborated with the Hall County Library System to write a Federal Library Services and Technological Act (LSTA) grant. The grant was awarded in the amount of $20,000.00. The portion of the grant allotted to GHCBHS was used to purchase equipment to copy and preserve the more than 500 African-American Community photos and documents collected by GHCBHS members.
The Gainesville-Hall County Black History Society was first incorporated on January 8, 2003. In 2004, the Hall County Library and the Gainesville-Hall County Black History Society began construction of a public accessible website. In addition, the organization completed its first publication, a 2004 Hall County Black Heritage Calendar. The calendar was followed by a pictorial history of Hall County's African- American community. Published in the late Spring of 2004, this book Hall County, Georgia was written by Linda Rucker Hutchens and Ella Jean Wilmont Smith as part of Arcadia Publishing's Black America Series.
Since its inception, the Gainesville-Hall County Black History Society has published yearly calendars and has participated in numerous community programs and presentations. In 2006, the organization sought and was granted tax exempt (501C3) status. GHCBHS established its own website in 2007, sponsored a youth workshop during the summer of 2008, and obtained its own telephone to enhance communication in June, 2009.
Now led by officers: President- Rickey D. Young, Vice President- Emory Turner, Secretary- Bobbie Jean Cox, Treasurer- Linda Rucker- Hutchens, Parliamentarian- Martha Mays, Membership Chair- Theresa Puryear and a host of various Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs.
Community and financial support are essential to providing historical, civic events and support programs throughout our community. We are eager for new members, sponsors and community partners to help us spread our mission and events to men and women across Hall County and beyond.
We’ll use the information you provide io ensure the best member of our team gets back to you in a timely manner. Thank you for your interest in supporting our mission!
GAINESVILLE- HALL COUNTY BLACK HISTORY SOCIETY INCORPORATED IS A 501C3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION. TAX ID: 20-0323247
P.O. BOX 423 GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA 30503
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