Beulah Rucker Museum and Education Center – Gainesville, Georgia

Beulah Rucker Museum and Education Center – Gainesville, Georgia

The Beulah Rucker Museum and Education Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  This museum began as a school for the African-American population in the region of Georgia where there was limited, if any, formal educational opportunities for these citizens.

Beulah Rucker Oliver was born in Banks County Georgia in 1888 as one of 8 children born to these sharecroppers.  She attended a small wooden church school when she was small and then Jeruel High School in Athens and Knox Insititue as she grew older.  She graudated with honors from Knox Institute in 1909.  As a young girl she had chosen to devote her life to teaching and never lost that desire or ambition.

She established a school for African-American children that continued to serve the students in various forms until the late 1950′s.  The primary funding for the school was through her own hard work and funding.

When the upper grades were consolidated with the city of Gainesville schools the elementary school continued on.  There was also a night school for the benefit of Aftrican-American WWII veterans.

The thirst for education never wained for Beulah Rucker.  She continued to work towards her college degree by taking extension, correspondent and short courses from Savahan Sate College and finally was granted her degree in 1944.

"The mission of The Educational Foundation and Museum of Beulah Rucker Inc. is to memorialize the life of this great African-American woman, Mrs. Beulah Bucker Oliver. Recognizing the important role she played in local education, while increasing public awareness of her contributions to Gainesville, and Hall County through educational, religious, economic, social, and civic activities that enhance the quality of community life."

Location: 2105 Athens Highway, Gainesville, GA 30507

Phone: 404/401-6589