TIME MACHINE

OCT. 24, 1933

Lucy Laney, one of the most celebrated educators in Augusta history, died on this day, but left a lasting impact on her community.

Born in Macon the child of former slaves, Laney came to Augusta and in 1883 began work on the area's first school for black children in the basement of Christ Presbyterian Church. It evolved into the Haines Normal School, chartered in 1886, which graduated its first class in 1888.

Kindergarten and nursing programs began in 1890 and 1892. Laney, who never married, was known for her intelligence, her kindness, her energy and a fierce independence that allowed her to succeed in an era when it was usually difficult for a woman, and almost unheard for a black woman, to get so much done.

She lived at the site of today’s Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History at 1116 Phillips St. until her death. Her funeral, held Oct. 29, was the scene of a massive turnout of Augustans, both black and white.