In the small town of Harlem there's a small museum dedicated to one of the silver screen's largest stars.
The Laurel and Hardy Museum receives about 300 visitors during a normal month, said Scott Dean, a former Harlem mayor.
The Columbia County town of about 2,800 residents attracts about 700 visitors during Masters Week and nearly 40,000 during the Oliver Hardy Festival held each October.
Opened in July 2002, the Laurel and Hardy Museum became an immediate tourist destination and sparked a downtown revitalization effort in Harlem, Mr. Hardy's birthplace, Mr. Dean said.
Harlem is about 20 miles west of Augusta and has an image of its native son painted on the water tower.
During March, the museum welcomed visitors from Scotland, Canada, Mexico, California, Wisconsin, Texas, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada, Virginia, West Virginia, Oregon, North Carolina and Missouri.
"It is the only museum of its kind in America," Mr. Dean said. "There is one other Laurel and Hardy museum in England (Mr. Laurel's native country), but nowhere else in the states can you find a museum dedicated to Oliver Hardy."
Museum displays include life-size statues of the comedic duo, figurines, movie posters, photos, postcards, T-shirts, photo albums, marionettes and ventriloquist puppets.
The museum even sells Oliver Hardy coffee that one can sip through the ceramic derby of an Oliver Hardy mug.
Once a U.S. Post Office, the museum maintains a small theater to show Hardy's films, including such classics as Babes in Toyland, Flying Deuces, Way Out West and Sons of the Desert .
"We have just about everything they ever made," Mr. Dean said. "We even have cartoons with them."
Movies are available for viewing anytime during the museum's hours of operation, which are from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The Laurel and Hardy Museum is at 250 N. Louisville St.
Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.
MY AUGUSTA
For a week when guests are frequent, we asked several well-known local figures to share some of the favorite places they show. This week, watch for more stories to see what they had to say.
April 06, 2008: Janie Peel, commercial real estate broker 
April 07, 2008: Brian Graham, Professional Disc Golf Association
April 08, 2008: Terry Elam, Augusta Technical College
April 09, 2008: Scott Dean, former mayor of Harlem
April 10, 2008: Becky Shealy, Augusta Aviation
April 11, 2008: Mike Stacy, marina manager
April 12, 2008: Clay Boardman, building redeveloper
April 13, 2008: Allen Dean, U.S. Army Corps of EngineersYOUR AUGUSTA
Readers share favorite places to take guests:
"My husband and I run the (canal) tow path on the weekends as frequently as possible, even in the summer heat. There is just something so peaceful about gazing at the water as you trudge along. We always sign the guest book to ensure that the 10,000 signatures needed to receive federal funds are assured."-- Susan Dillard
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LOCAL PLACE? Why not share it: bill.kirby@augusta chronicle.com
icon.
