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The PAPER February 2025

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Vol. 8, No. 10

 February 2025

www.wintersmedia.net

Made by History

By Katie Anderson

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Black History Month began as Black History Week in February of 1926. The month of February was chosen because two important historic figures have birthdays in February: Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863; and Frederick Douglass, abolitionist, orator, and slave who escaped to freedom. Fifty years later in 1976, the week grew to a month, with President Gerald Ford proclaiming it a national celebration.

April Anderson Named 2025 Citizen of the Year April Anderson was named the 2025 Citizen of the Year during a packed house at the Newnan Centre on January 30th.

April, along with her husband, Brent, own and operate The Mess Hall on Main in downtown Senoia, which includes several international food vendors, as well as the site for their coffee shop, Senoia Coffee. She is the founder of Backpack Buddies, which provides food for needy school students on the weekends. Her charity is Backpack Buddies.

Fast forward to the present day our local keepers of Black history can be found at 92 Farmer Street at the Coweta County African American Heritage Museum. Located in a restored shotgunstyle house (once a slave cabin), the museum is operated by the African American Alliance. Their mission is to protect, preserve, and present the cultural, historical, and architectural African American heritage of Coweta County.

She is also a member of Leadership Coweta Class of 2025. The intensive 11-month program provides existing and emerging leaders with unique opportunities to enhance their civic knowledge of Coweta County and connect with other leaders throughout the county. Another issue close to her heart is the Coweta Street Park Initiative, which will soon be renamed the Park of Hope in honor of City of Hope, the primary sponsor. The initiative will transform an existing public space within the city of Senoia, creating an innovative, welcoming and accessible green space for those of all ages and economic statuses.

Adjacent to the museum, you’ll find a slave cemetery. In 1999, Bobby Olmstead was instrumental in halting a construction project starting up in the cemetery. He had grown up in the area and knew of its historical significance. In 2000, Olmstead formed the Farmer Street Cemetery Commission. Soon after in 2002, Cynthia Rosers founded the museum, partnering with the Newnan Coweta History Center.

ing leadership and citizenship within the community, demonstrating exemplary vision, civic pride, and a strong commitment to a better Coweta.

The Coweta County African American Heritage Museum is also a center for genealogical research, specifically focused on African American ancestry. Their varied exhibits are a tribute to the contributions of Coweta’s Black community. The African American Alliance invites the public to visit in person, online, or volunteer.

The other nominees were: Jess Barron, Tricia Bethel-Sookhoo; Scott Berta; Scott Chahalis; Scott Cortner, Janet Marie Gunnels, Abigail Kimbell, Dr. Bob Heaberlin, Clay Neely, and Rodney Riggs.

Look for photos of Historic Highlights throughout this issue …

Look for more photos inside and on our website, wintersmedia.net.

The Citizen of the Year, sponsored by the Kiwanis clubs of Coweta County, honors an individual showing outstand-

JESS BARRON, GRI Vice President / Associate Broker

Million Dollar Club, Phoenix Member

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JessB@LindseysRealtors.com

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“Serving All of Newnan and Coweta County Since 1948”

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