MACON, Ga. (WGXA) — Local leaders and officials held a press conference to honor the original Tubman African American Museum in Macon before crews demolished it.
The museum’s executive director, Harold Young, described the demolition as “both an emotional and historic moment,” as Macon-Bibb said goodbye to the original building.
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The structure, located at 340 Walnut Street in Macon, had been vacant since the Tubman’s relocation to Cherry Street in May 2015 and it first opened its doors in 1985.
Crews demolish the original Tubman Museum on Walnut Street in Macon on Nov. 6, 2025 (Jordan Stevenson/WGXA).
Young spoke about how the building was originally bought by the pastor of Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church, Father Richard Keil, in 1981 to fulfill his dream of establishing a museum to celebrate and preserve African American culture and heritage.
“I recently spoke with Father Keil, and he shared that he is very satisfied with the demolition of the old building,” said Young. “He’s proud that we now have such a beautiful facility that truly reflects the spirit and purpose of the original dream.”
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