Past Exhibitions

Making Conversation with Warren Williams

December 15, 2018 - May 26, 2019

Woodruff Gallery

In this exciting exhibition: Throughout the summer and fall, The Columbus Museum’s Making Conversation project has brought together volunteers and residents of Warren Williams Homes to capture previously unknown stories of living in one of Columbus’ oldest African American neighborhoods. The area at the bottom of Wynn’s Hill near Weracoba Creek, once known as “The Bottoms,” has been a predominantly African American neighborhood since the end of the Civil War. Male residents of this neighborhood historically worked in nearby rail yards and factories while women walked up Wynn’s Hill for domestic jobs in wealthy white households.

In 1944, as demand for housing for civilian war workers increased, the Housing Authority of Columbus purchased the land to create modern apartments. Federal funding, supplemented by contributions from Columbus businessmen, led to the creation of Warren Williams Homes. Its name comes from a white Phenix City civic leader and Confederate veteran whose son spearheaded local fundraising efforts for the neighborhood.

In their own words, the Warren Williams residents have shared their pride in their community, as well as their experiences living in the Chattahoochee Valley. This exhibition features historical images and objects shared by Making Conversation participants, as well as oral histories that visitors can watch. As more interviews are conducted, the gallery will be updated to reflect these new stories.

This project is generously sponsored in part by the Knight Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley.

Watch Making Conversation Interviews

Exhibition Photo Gallery