Celebrate Black History Month
with Visit Forsyth GA's Self-Guided
African-American Heritage Tour
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As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re highlighting places and spaces in our community that preserve and share Black history. The African American Heritage Guide & Tour is a great place to learn, reflect, and better understand the history and culture that continues to shape our community.
This free, self-guided brochure shares some of the important landmarks and stories of generations of leaders and innovators. Locals and visitors alike can learn about figures such as Drs. Boddie, the Hubbard legacy, JoAnn Gibson Robinson, Rita Mae Samuels, and many others.
Pick up your copy of the African American Heritage Guide & Tour at the Forsyth Welcome Center (48 N. Jackson Street in downtown Forsyth) and start your journey to learn more about Forsyth's African American heritage. A sneak peek at some of the included sights is below:
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Hubbard Complex
After the great fire of 1927, the School of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts, later the State Teacher and Agricultural College, was moved to this new campus location. The teachers’ home and women’s dormitory are the remaining structures from this period. Constructed in 1934, the Hubbard Dormitory for Women is a Colonial Revival style building that provided 34 shared dorm rooms and a large common area. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
The WM Hubbard Complex, named for William M. Hubbard, the founder the State Teacher and Agricultural College, has seen an evolution of educational facilities over the last century, and is now home to two museums for African American heritage, the Hubbard Museum & Cultural Center, located inside the former women's dormitory, and the Telling Our Story: Black History Museum, located inside the former campus media center. The campus is also the site of Monroe County's UGA Extension Office (and 4-H programs) and Monroe County Workforce Development Center. Next door, the currently active Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School furthers the Hubbard legacy into the next generation.
To learn more about the Hubbard Legacy, contact the Hubbard Alumni Association.
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St. Luke A.M.E. Church
St. Luke African American Methodist Episcopal Church was developed after the charismatic A.M.E. leader, Henry McNeil Turner, preached several camp meetings in Forsyth during Reconstruction. In 1874 its members secured property for the construction of a permanent sanctuary on this site. The A.M.E. Church, unlike the Baptists, had no history in the county before the Civil War. It became an important independent religious movement for freedmen with about nine A.M.E. churches being established after 1865 throughout the county. The stained glass windows in the church are over 100 years old.
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Train Depot
The Central of Georgia Railway constructed this building in 1899 under a court order directing the company to build a new passenger depot in Forsyth. The court held that the older one room stone depot c.1846, still standing some yards down the track, was outdated and inadequate. Doubtlessly, the underlying reason for a newer facility was to have one that conformed to the state’s recently enacted laws providing for racial segregation. The new brick depot did with its “colored” waiting room. Although “colored” has been painted over on one of the exterior doors, its ghost is still visible in the right light.
The Train Depot is currently home to the Monroe County History Museum and Historical Society.
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Rose Theater
This movie theater was the subject of a contentious civil rights fight in Forsyth in the early 1950s. The City Council was adamantly opposed to African Americans being allowed in any part of the Rose Theater. The theater owners and some citizens of the town contended that African Americans should be allowed at least to enjoy shows from the balcony. City Council provided for a referendum in 1955 and voters overwhelmingly approved segregated seating for African Americans in the balcony.
The Rose Theater remains in operation today, as home to the Backlot Players.
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Welcoming the "Wall of Fame"
to Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame
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By Richard Dumas, Chairman of the Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame Board
While the Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame’s origins go back nearly a decade to 2017, the date of Feb. 1, 2026 will go down as the day when the organization’s dreams were fully realized.
That’s because on a frosty Sunday afternoon, the Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame publicly unveiled its Inductee “Wall of Fame” in the lobby of the county’s new multi-court basketball gymnasium at the Monroe County Recreation Department. Having a permanent location to display the annual inductee plaques has been a decade-long goal of the Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame Board. And thanks to the support of the Monroe County Recreation Department and the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, the Wall of Fame, which honors the feats of the greatest sportspersons in our county’s distinguished history, is now a reality. Sixty-three Forsyth-Monroe County athletes, coaches, and contributors are thus far recognized on the Wall of Fame, including several of the winningest high school football coaches in Georgia High School Association history, four former NFL players, several women’s college basketball standouts, and even, an Olympic gold medalist.
| | | | Former Monroe County Recreation Director Keith Edge was among the speakers at the Wall of Fame dedication ceremony. Edge, who was also a founding member of the Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame Board, had long sought to display the plaques at the Monroe County Recreation Department but there was no available space at the time. For several years, the Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) displayed the plaques in Forsyth’s old Welcome Center on a temporary basis, but a flooding issue caused the plaques to go back into storage for several years. Thankfully, Forsyth CVB Director Gilda Stanbery and CVB Administrative Assistant Chelsea Bunn Kerr carefully preserved the plaques in storage until the Board could find a permanent home for them. | | In late 2025, Monroe County District 1 Commissioner Lamarcus Davis, a volunteer coach and lifelong supporter of local youth sports, graciously dedicated his remaining district discretionary funds toward special projects at the recreation department. Included in these special projects, and with the support of current Monroe County Recreation Director Landon Sparks, the installation of wall brackets were added to display the Hall of Fame plaques in the lobby of the county’s new state-of-the-art, 18,000 square-foot gymnasium. Middle Georgia Metal Works installed the plaques in late January, and about 60 attendees celebrated the public unveiling. | | | | | |
Richard Dumas, the 2026 Forsyth Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame Board chairman, recalled a conversation with Edge about a year ago when the Board had still not found a permanent home for the plaques. Edge said at the time, “It’s not really a Hall of Fame until we find a place to display our plaques. Right now, it’s just an annual awards ceremony.” But with a permanent Wall of Fame now in place, Dumas was proudly able to tell the attendees at the Feb. 1 ceremony: “We now have a true Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame.”
Davis said he envisions far more for the Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame than a single wall. Davis said in his Wall of Fame ceremony speech that there are many legendary recreation coaches, people like Pop Mays and Andrew McDowell, who have influenced the lives of so many Monroe County youth and need permanent recognition at the county’s rec park. Davis challenged Sparks and the Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame Board to create additional displays to honor those coaches as well.
| | With Forsyth-Monroe County athletes continuing to do remarkable things on the gridiron, courts, and fields every day, the Forsyth-Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame “Wall of Fame” will only keep growing in volume and stature. The “Wall of Fame” will surely become a highlight stop for locals and visitors alike in this great county. | | | | | |
Visit Forsyth GA’s Annual Tourism Impact Awards
Coming this May, the City of Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Forsyth GA) will present its inaugural Tourism Impact Awards to deserving recipients at all levels of the hospitality industry. The Forsyth Tourism Impact Awards recognize organizations and/or individuals that have significantly contributed to the growth, appeal, and impact of local tourism. Awards will include the Tourism Partner of the Year, the Hospitality Pro of the Year, the Tourism Advocate of the Year, the Visit Forsyth GA Fan of the Year, and the Tourism Legacy Award.
| | The aim of this new initiative is to provide an opportunity to honor, celebrate, and thank outstanding partners who go above and beyond to make our community a destination worth visiting, sharing, and loving, recognizing their unique roles in strengthening tourism in Forsyth and creating unforgettable experiences. Stay tuned for more! | | | | |
It's Our Anniversary! Sign Up For Our Raffle
One year ago this month, we launched our very first newsletter to a small group of 650 subscribers. Fast forward to today, and we've increased that by 222%, with over 2,000 readers who have joined our digital community and continue to stick with us month after month. We realize our newsletter breaks all the rules, with stories for miles, but y'all seem to like it—our engagement rates are consistently nearly double the industry average! So to celebrate our birthday, and honor the month of St. Valentine, we want to spread the love and invite you to bring a plus one to the party!!
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Refer a friend to our newsletter, and be entered in our Anniversary Raffle for a chance to win a surprise treat for each of you. Here's how it works:
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Have your friend subscribe at this link.
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Then, enter the raffle here — we'll need yours and your friend's name and emails to verify you are both subscribers.
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We'll draw winners on Wednesday, February 18 and if you're our lucky duo, we will reach out!
Missed a newsletter? Catch up on Forsyth Stories in our back issues.
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Annual Planning Retreat
The City of Forsyth Convention & Visitors Bureau Authority (CVBA) and other tourism partners met on Friday, January 30, 2026 for our Annual Meeting and Planning Retreat. This meeting is a much looked-forward-to event, as it is a time to reflect on accomplishments from the past year and work together to discuss and prioritize strategic goals for the coming year.
| | Facilitated by Greg Boike, Director of Planning & Public Administration at the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, the CVBA has identified several areas of opportunity for 2026. The 2026 Strategic Goals Report will be published to the Visit Forsyth GA website in the coming weeks; in the meantime, you can review the 2025 Recap and other reports on the CVB Reports webpage. | | |
CVB Authority
Photo Credit: Diane Glidewell, Monroe County Reporter
Pictured Left to Right:
Lois Allen, City Council Liaison
Sam Patel, Vice-Chair, Hotel Rep
Sunny Patel, Hotel Rep
Leslie Waters, Restaurant Rep
Greg Tapley, At-Large Rep
Denise Buff, Secretary-Treasurer, At-Large Rep
Paige Bryson, CVB Authority, Chairwoman, Retail Rep
Not Pictured:
Helen Walker, Past Chair, Restaurant Rep
Tushar Patel, Retail Rep
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Fisharama & Turkeyrama
Visit Forsyth GA had a great time over the three days of Fisharama and Turkeyrama at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry this past weekend, where we spoke with close to 1,000 people including some outdoor writers. We shared stories and helped people make plans for Mother's Day, a family reunion, and a paddle trip! CVB Authority member Greg Tapley joined in the fun, too, swapping stories with our tourism partner Jeff Mooney of All Seasons Guide Service & Taxidermy.
One story attendees loved hearing from Greg was about the time his brother-in-law, Chris Burch, shot the highest scoring atypical turkey in Georgia on Greg's property with a bow back in ~2007/2008, breaking a 15-year record with GON (Georgia Outdoor News). The turkey was heavy and had good spurs and THREE beards, driving up the score.
We'll see you at the Buckarama in August!
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Congrats to Our Fisharama Gift Basket Winner!
Congratulations to the winner of our Gift Basket Giveaway, Cynthia W. of Columbus, Georgia! Visitors to our booth were able to enter our giveaway by signing up for our newsletter. Cynthia is now the lucky winner of a Visit Forsyth GA campfire mug, Fish.Beer.Repeat. hat, and a signed, personalized copy of the book Fish From the Sky by local Forsyth author Steve Reece. (Plus some other small surprises!!) Cynthia, be on the lookout for an email from us with more details!
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New Construction Projects
We mentioned it last month, but we'll say it again: 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Forsyth with major commercial projects, new businesses, and business expansions. Last issue, we talked about some new businesses that had just opened. This issue, we want to share with you a few snapshots of some major construction going on around town, soon to bring an economic boom to our community. But that's not all—next month, stay tuned for updates on more new developments in Forsyth and Monroe County!
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ECG Training Institute | Image Taken Feb 2026
In August, Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) broke ground on a state-of-the-art new training institute in Forsyth. This 12,000-square-foot facility will draw electric professionals from around the state to Forsyth throughout the year for specialized training, spending dollars at our local hotels, restaurants, and other tourism partners.
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Pixel Market By Exxon | Image Taken Feb 2026
Going up next to the Motel 6 is a new Exxon gas station and convenience store called Pixel Market. In addition to having 16 pumps, Pixel Market is working with Rodney Miles (of AM PM EV Inc.) to install Red-E Ultrafast EV Chargers, with charging times of 20 to 40 minutes depending on the vehicle. There will also be a connected drive-thru space for a quick-service 2,200-square-foot restaurant. The new facility is currently looking to open in May.
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Buc-ee's | Image Taken Feb 2026
Georgia's fourth Buc-ee's location is currently being built off Rumble Road here in Forsyth, at I-75 exit 181. Set to open in 2027, this 74,000-square-foot facility promises 200 full-time jobs and a new platform for visitor awareness of the Forsyth-Monroe County community.
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Dunkin' Donuts | Image Taken Feb 2026
Forsyth's Dunkin' is getting a remodel! The Lee Street location has been temporarily closed while being refurbished, but will be reopening very soon. (Perhaps tomorrow, if the sign we saw today is to be believed!).
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Kynette Park | Image Taken Feb 2026
The $2-million renovation of Kynette Park began in 2025 to modernize the city's second-largest park, and is nearing completion. The overhaul features new amenities including a splash pad, two miles of walking trails, eight pickleball courts, sand volleyball, and a revamped playground, plus enhancements to parking and new turf.
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| Norris Candy Box | Photo Credit: Past Tense Georgia by Valerie Biggerstaff | |
History is in the Details: Drug Store Valentine Candy
By: Ralph Bass, local historian
Soon delicacies for sale will return to 35 West Johnston Street when Treats with Lenise opens at their new location.
For decades, drug stores on this site sold candy, especially on Valentine’s Day, to husbands and boyfriends. As early as 1910, Alexander Bros. Pharmacy advertised the sale of Nunnally’s candies as the "Choicest Chocolates, Bon Bons, Mints–from 5 cents to 25 cents a box.”
| Photo Credit: Monroe County Historical Society | |
The sale of Valentine candy continued when Lamar Russell and Dohn Bonner purchased Alexanders. Long before Valentine’s Day, the partners placed their orders to Norris, Nunnally and Russell Stover, their premier brands.
They always included in their orders one of two very expensive boxes of candy that sold for $49.95 a box. There were more boxes in the $37.50 and $25.00 range. They also ordered inexpensive five-dollar heart-shaped boxes with a few pieces of candy in them. Men would buy those for their children.
The most memorable Valentine candy sale for Bonner and Russell was in 1973. A winter storm had swept through Forsyth and a leak developed in the roof of the store at Valentine's time. Water came through the second story and into the drug store. They had to cover merchandise, including the Valentine candy, with plastic sheets. Whenever a customer wanted some candy, the clerk had to lift the plastic to show the boxes.
| Photo Credit: Monroe County Historical Society | |
That was the pharmacy’s best Valentine's season. Bonner and Russell sold $3,500 worth of candy that February and not a box was left under the plastic sheet when they closed the doors that afternoon.
This Valentine's, you can recreate the nostalgia of a vintage Valentine's treat with a trip to Scoops across the street for delicious handmade candies, dipped apples and chocolate strawberries, and a wall of candy favorites straight out of our childhood.
| | "The Wizard of Oz" Cast Photo | Pictured Left to Right: The late Joan Matthews as the Tin Man, Sandy Watson as Dorothy, Suzi as Toto, Michael Ducheneau as the Scarecrow, and the late Judy Hunter as the Cowardly Lion. | |
Memory Lane: Suzi, The MVP of Oz
By: Chelsea Bunn Kerr, a "theater kid" from back in the day
In 1995, The Backlot Players were in their first year of existence and working on their second show ever, The Wizard of Oz. Casting was going well, but there was one issue — finding the right Toto. Enter Suzi (a.k.a “Wubba Gubba With the Green Teeth”), a rescue pup who lived with my Aunt Jill and Uncle Garth in Florida. Our family used to joke that Suzi was Toto’s long-lost twin, so casting her just made sense!
There was a small problem; Suzi lived six hours away in Tampa. About a month before the show opened, she moved in with my family. My mom, Ms. Abbie Bunn, became the default animal handler. Another important note about Suzi is that she was nearly blind! We were a bit worried about how we would get Suzi to follow Dorothy, played by local legend Ms. Sandy Watson, around the stage.
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Luckly, Suzi was very food-motivated. Her sight was limited, but her nose worked just fine! Dorothy (Ms. Sandy) would tuck a treat in her socks and Toto (Suzi) would follow. When it was time for Toto to exit a scene, Ms. Abbie would be in the wings with more treats. It worked like a charm! Suzi became a beloved addition to the cast for her charming performances.
While Suzi has long since crossed the rainbow bridge, our memories of her trotting across the stage at Roberts Chapel with her tail wagging as she chased dog treats in socks, lives on with the Backlot Players and those who attended those magical performances.
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From the Blog: Uncovering Ancestry with Percy Freeman
In the latest episode of Monroe Today, Visit Forsyth GA Executive Director Gilda Stanbery sat down with Percy Freeman, local author of the new book Time Passages. In his book, Freeman, who was raised by his grandparents in a three-room house on a dirt road in Juliette, tells the story of his journey to discovery, searching for the truth of his family roots through genealogical records, DNA testing, and meeting long-lost family. Discover more of the story on our blog!
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The Great Backyard Bird Count
Calling all birdwatchers, the 29th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count takes place THIS WEEK! From February 13 to 16, thousands of people from hundreds of countries will come together for the love of birds. Over these four days, people are asked to spend time in their favorite places watching and counting as many birds as they can find and reporting them to BirdCount.org. (Or if you already use the eBird or Merlin Bird ID apps, you can submit your counts there!) These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations. So plan a date with one of Forsyth's many natural sites this weekend and help participate in this worldwide community science project!
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Save the Date: Forsythia Festival
Kick off the beautiful spring season with one of the most exciting events of the year: The Forsythia Festival. This free, family-friendly event takes place March 14th-15th, 2026 in downtown Forsyth. Activities include: a two-day arts and crafts show, food vendors, local restaurant special hours, 5K run, live entertainment and more! Saturday & Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM.
For a more in-depth look at the festival, check out last year's radio interview on our blog!
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Don't Miss This Grand Opening!
The Monroe County History Museum will be kicking off America’s 250th Anniversary with the grand opening of Culloden: 250 Years of American Independence. Step back in time to explore the revolutionary sparks that transformed Georgia and Monroe County. This epic journey is told through the eyes of Culloden—one of Monroe County’s oldest settlements.
When:
- March 14th | 10 AM – 4 PM (During the Forsythia Festival)
- March 15th | 12 PM – 4 PM
Where: Monroe County History Museum | 126 E Johnston St., Forsyth, GA 31029
The Highlight: Don’t miss the Grand Ribbon Cutting with live bagpipes on March 14th at 2 PM.
Enjoy free admission, light refreshments, and a front-row seat to our nation’s heritage.
This project is supported by Georgia Humanities, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, through funding from the Georgia General Assembly.
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On The Calendar Highlights | | | | |
Southeast Regional Patch & Challenge Coin Show
Are you a patch and challenge coin enthusiast? Then head to the Monroe County Conference Center on Saturday, February 21, 2026 for the Southeast Regional Patch & Challenge Coin Show. There will be 60+ vendors from across the country and the doors open at 8AM so make sure to get there early! General Admission $5
Click Here for More Information
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The Tift Legacy Exhibit Presents: Bruce Green Talks Tift Family
The Tift Legacy Exhibit will be hosting its first Tift Girls Speak event of 2026, hosted by Bruce Green. Bruce Green arrived in Tifton in 1986 to serve as the city’s first Main Street Manager and began an active program of restoring and reinvigorating downtown Tifton. During those years, he became close friends with a number of the Tift family descendants and learned about their rich family history. Join us at the Conley Building on Saturday, February 21st, at 12 PM to hear Bruce’s stories!
Click Here for More Information
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The 1823 Artisan Gallery Presents: “Reimagining The Masters” Art Show
The 1823 Artisan Guild will be holding a 1st Quarter Art Show in 2026 titled, “Reimagining the Masters,” and they are currently taking entries! The goal is recreating or reimagining masterpieces, capturing the mood but not duplicating the exact composition. This keeps it legal, original, and creative! The show will open on February 28, 2026 with the entry window closing on February 27, 2026.
For More Information call: (478) 993-1823 or visit their website.
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The Monroe County Historical Society Presents: Preserving Family Collections
Join the Monroe County Historical Society and learn the basics of preserving your family collections for future generations. David Owings, Head of Archives & Special Collections at Columbus State University, will be the guest speaker for the program which will be held at the Conley Building on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 7 PM.
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Market in the Park
Head to the Monroe County Recreation Department on the first Saturday of the month for Market in the Park! With food trucks and 20+ vendors there’s a wide variety of things to see and do.
For more information email: marketintheparkfmc@gmail.com
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Forsythia Festival 5K
Start the Forsythia season off right with a jog through scenic Forsyth on March 7th, 2026! Registration starts at 7 AM and the race begins at 8 AM!
Sign Up Here
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Forsythia Festival Pageant
The annual Forsythia Festival Pageant will be held on March 7th, 2026 at 10 AM at Roberts Chapel on the Tift Campus. Come see who will be crowned Mr. & Miss Forsythia 2026!
Sign Up Here
| | | | | To make sure you have all the information you need to plan a memorable visit to Forsyth, we gladly provide plenty of resources, guides and tools to help you along the way. | | | | |
