Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Sept. 15.
Emery Thomas Auditorium National Register Listing Pending Review
Public is encouraged to submit comments.
On Friday, October 29, 2021 the Georgia National Register Review Board Meeting will be held virtually from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Six properties will be considered for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places by the Georgia National Register Review Board including Dublin’s Emery Thomas Auditorium.
The Emery Thomas Auditorium is being nominated at the statewide level as the only remaining building of the first and only 4-H Center built exclusively for African American youth in Georgia. Sponsored by the City of Dublin, the nomination of Emery Thomas Auditorium allows the building to receive recognition, planning consideration, eligibility for federal tax credits, eligibility for grant assistance, and technical assistance.
“The Emery Thomas Auditorium is an important, but often overlooked part of Dublin’s history. The Register listing is a great step in getting the recognition it deserves. The City of Dublin has worked diligently on compiling the application since October of 2017. Many people went above and beyond to make the nomination successful, especially Deborah Stanley, Steve Brown, Katy Morton, and Ethos Preservation. They deserve our thanks,” said Lance Jones, Dublin City Manager.
The public is encouraged to participate by submitting comments or questions no later than October 26, 2021 to:
Dr. David Crass
Division Director and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Historic Preservation Division
60 Executive Park South, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
If you wish to attend the virtual meeting, contact Christy Atkins at 404-486-6369 or
Christy.atkins@dca.ga.gov to receive the meeting details and guidance on attending the meeting.
The Emery Thomas Auditorium was constructed in 1956 as an addition to the campus of the Dublin 4-H Center, which was established approximately 16 years earlier. Until the formation of the Dublin 4-H Center, there were no comparable sites available for use by African American youth involved in 4-H in Georgia. Following the construction of the auditorium, dining hall, and three cabins, the Dublin 4-H Center was officially dedicated November 15, 1957. After the Civil Rights Act of 1964, African American youth in Georgia were integrated, after which all members were invited to attend the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton. As a result, attendance in Dublin declined and in 1968 ownership of the Dublin 4-H Center site was reverted back to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Named for Emery C. Thomas, Laurens County’s first African American Extension agent, the auditorium retains many of its original features including milk globe light fixtures and limestone exterior trim. Today, Emory Thomas Auditorium serves as a special events center, hosting weddings and other events on the grounds of Riverview Golf Course.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Dublin-Laurens County Chamber of Commerce
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