Welcome to the sixth Edition of North Baldwin Chamber's Tourism Tuesday Newsletter! In honor of Black History Month, this edition will feature the historical Douglasville High School Heritage Museum, located at 1001 Shedrick Hardy Parkway in the Douglasville community of Bay Minette
The Douglasville High School Heritage Museum was established in 2015, opened in 2017, and is housed in the first permanent structure for the former Douglasville High School, on property adjacent of the current Douglasville School of Arts & Recreation (Home to Light of the City) and next to the North Baldwin Center for Technology.
The high school was built during the segregation era, saw it’s first graduating class in 1950, and then closed shortly after in 1970 as a result of court-mandated integration. During its 21 years, the school educated numerous students who went on to receive their diplomas from a school in their community. To help preserve the legacy and history of the school, the Douglasville High School Alumni Association Inc. established the museum. This project was a partnership between the Alumni Association, Baldwin County Public Schools, and the City of Bay Minette, and was officially dedicated on June 30, 2017. The museum currently houses photos, information, artifacts, and memorabilia to the beloved school’s alumni.
The Stephen J. Boykin historic marker was also dedicated at the site in 2018. Boykin was a self-educated man who founded the original school near the Douglasville school site in 1899. This was the first school for black students in Baldwin County. He also self-published The American Banner newspaper from 1899-1902.
The Douglasville High School Heritage Museum is open for tours upon request. Group tours are welcomed and encouraged. For tours contact James D. Williams at 251-421-4636 or Ethel Higgins at 251-228-0073.
