Museum film focuses on black Southern cinema

The theater at the Augusta Museum of History provides visitors with yet another window to the past.

"Our theater seats about 100 people, and it has a full screen like you would see in a movie theater," said Heather Sellers, the museum's education manager. "It's more engaging, especially for school groups, when you have a theaterlike atmosphere, and it's a good way for them to get specialized information."

Each month, a documentary film is shown in the theater. Past films have included Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives; Cartoons Go to War; and The Rise of the Southern Biscuit. This month's film is on black Southern cinema.

"Each of the films relates to the history of the CSRA in some way," Ms. Sellers said. "They are documentary-style films, so it's like seeing history in motion."

The museum will show other videos in the theater for groups of 10 or more, but they must be requested at least two weeks in advance and are subject to availability, she said.

Videos that may be requested include a series called American History Through Southern Eyes, created by Georgia Public Broadcasting, and a 90-minute documentary on James Brown.

"These are really good ways for everyone, not just school groups, to learn more about history in a unique way," Ms. Sellers said.

The history theater is included in the museum's regular admission. During August, admission to the museum is $1. Children 5 and younger will be admitted free.

For more information about the history theater or to make a request, call the (706) 722-8454.

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.