The restoration of the historic American Legion building on Magnolia Street will be the topic of discussion during the next Brown Bag Luncheon hosted by the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation.
The restoration effort is the result of a partnership between Greater Bethel AME Church and ACHF. Trustee and Greater Bethel member Mrs. Tommie Farmer will moderate the discussion.
Amy Kissane is the Executive Director for the ACHF.
"It's a building that I imagine a lot of people have seen and often wondered about. And there's a sign out front that says the Frank C. Maddox Center," said Kissane. "It was actually built around 1950, and it was built as an American Legion post, to although perhaps not officially but effectively, to serve African-American veterans in Athens, because the other American Legion posts wasn't really integrated."
Community members involved in the restoration will discuss that effort and their memories of the building, which served as American Legion Post No. 535 for African American veterans from 1947-1963. From there, it became the Frank C. Maddox Center and was used as a community center, first licensed daycare for African-American children, and social hall.
The lunch is from noon to 1 pm Wednesday at the Lyndon House Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch.
