Augusta Museum of History,
Augusta, GA
“One Man, Two Ships: Lessons in History and Courage.” This exhibit pays tribute to Jimmie Dyess, the only person to ever receive the Carnegie Medal and the Medal of Honor; the USS Augusta (CA-31); and the USS Dyess (DD 880). The exhibit includes many items belonging to Jimmie Dyess including his Medal of Honor, Carnegie Medal, marksmanship awards, Boy Scout awards, Clemson class ring and football memorabilia, high school uniform and class ring. The histories of the USS Augusta and the USS Dyess are displayed in pictures, plaques, awards and artifacts from the ships themselves.
There is very exciting news at the Augusta Museum of History. An Augustan, Bill Lesschaft, felt that it was important to preserve the legacy of Jimmie Dyess and to provide young people with a role model whom they may wish to emulate. In the autumn of 2010, Lesschaft led the effort to create an annual Jimmie Dyess Symposium to be hosted by the award winning museum. On the 11th of January, 2011, in the rotunda of the museum, the first annual Jimmie Dyess Symposium was held. Despite terrible weather that closed schools and offices throughout the Augusta area, the attendance was impressive. There was standing room only as the audience listened to the wisdom and wit of the first recipient of the Distinguished American Award, Colonel Jack Jacobs, US Army (retired). It was fitting that Jacobs should be the first recipient of this prestigious award. A military hero who served two combat tours in Vietnam, Jacobs is the recipient of three bronze stars, two silver stars and the Medal of Honor, Jacobs continues to give of himself selflessly to this nation is a wide variety of ways. Every year, on the 11th of January, this symposium will be held and a distinguished American will be honored. On permanent display in the museum will be a large crystal pyramid. On one face, the Medal of Honor will be displayed. On the second face will the Carnegie Medal and on the third side will be the Eagle Scout symbol. At the base of the pyramid will be displayed the names of each recipient. Each recipient will receive a smaller crystal award.
The Augusta Museum is not a one-exhibit museum. The museum has many fine exhibits in its 58,000 square foot facility. The first floor focuses on the history of Augusta starting with prehistoric artifacts to the present day. Full scale exhibits include a Petersburg boat, a 1914 steam engine, and an 1869 steam fire engine. The second floor has exhibits depicting Augusta’s golfing heritage, native sons Ty Cobb, James Brown, and Jimmie Dyess, and a History theatre. Visit their website for operating hours, current exhibits and special events (www.augustamuseum.org).
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Petersburg BoatThe 'Petersburg boat’ was a pole driven boat capable of carrying ten tons of cargo and well suited for the stretch of river between Petersburg and Augusta. The boat was in common use until well after the Civil War.
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James BrownJames Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter commonly referred to as "The Godfather of Soul." James Brown recorded hundreds of songs including Soul Brother Number One, Sex Machine, Mr. Dynamite, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, The King of Funk, Minister of The New New Super Heavy Funk, Mr. Please Please Please Please Himself, and I Feel Good.
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