Other Local Black Heritage Sites
Other Local Black Heritage Sites
Embedded Files
Flat Rock Archives
Flat Rock Archives
Since 1981, after a childhood of listening to the stories of his elders, Flat Rock native, Johnny Waits developed a vision to preserve the African-American history of the Flat Rock community. It was not until December 2006, that this vision came to fruition when the Flat Rock Archives officially opened to the public.
The Archives sit within an historical landscape and currently maintain the 20th century Georgian Cottage known as the T.A. Bryant, Sr. House built in 1917. The T.A. Bryant, Sr. house was donated to the Archives by T.A. Bryant, Sr.'s son and Co-Founder T.A. Bryant, Jr. The site also includes a barn, smokehouse, and outhouse constructed throughout the 20th century. The Archives is working to secure funds to restore and protect this unique treasure of the rural historical landscape.
We strive to collect and preserve a wide range of archival material, including genealogical records, newspaper articles, photographs, maps, church records, school records, rare books, and tangible artifacts that relate to African-American history in the rural South.
It is with great honor that the Archives has received both local and national recognition for its heritage preservation efforts through numerous awards and the honor to join the Arabia Area Heritage Alliance. Also, actor Chris Tucker, a Flat Rock community descendent was featured in the 2006 series of African American Lives featuring dr. Henry Louis, Gate, Jr. This episode is an invaluable resource to explaining Tucker's ancestry within the Flat Rock community.
The Archives opened in 2006 and contains genealogical records, newspapers, photographs, maps, church records, school records, and other artifacts about the African American slaves, former slaves, and their descendants who lived or live in the Flat Rock community in DeKalb County. The Archives is located at 3979 Crossvale Road in Lithonia.
Additional Notes from David Messar post, September 1, 2017, to the Black Heritage of Rockdale Facebook page after attending a Learn and Learn session:
Johnny Waits developed the vision of an archives for the history of Flat Rock. In December 2006 the Flat Rock Archives officially opened to the public located in the ancestral home donated by Rev. T.A. Bryant and built by his father in 1917. The archives preserves the collections and tells the history of the Flat Rock Community. Johnny Waits is president of the archives and a descendant of one of DeKalb County's oldest families. He guides visitors through the compelling history of one of the oldest DeKalb County African-American community.
The Flat Rock Archives contains a wide range of historic ephemeral materials, including genealogical records, newspapers, photographs, maps, church records, school records, rare books, and various artifacts relating to DeKalb's African American and Georgia history. The Archives also maintains the original Bryant farmland, barn, smokehouse, and outhouse that were built along with the home in the early twentieth century. The Archives has received both local and national recognition for its heritage preservation efforts. Founders included Johnny Waits, Vera L. Whitaker, and Rev. T.A. Bryant Jr., the son of T.A. Bryant, Sr.
Free and open to the public!
Tuesday, September 19, noon to 1:00 p.m.
Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur GA 30030
Other Stories of Interest
Other Stories of Interest
Gwinnett County purchased this land where this house sits and plan to restore to it's original look and feel from the 1800s.
Historical Societies
Historical Societies
Rockdale County Historical Society
Rockdale County Historical Society
"Keeping the Past Alive"
The Rockdale County Historical Society is a non-profit organization, whose members are dedicated to the preservation of the history of Conyers and Rockdale County. The Society, through much effort, has collected, catalogued, preserved, and maintained much of its local historical resources while at the same time bringing forth a sense of pride in the knowledge of its history and tradition.
Rockdale County Historical Society
Progressive Club members featured at Historical Society meeting - May 2016
Gregory Levett Sr. to shine light on Rockdale’s ‘Hidden Treasures’ - March 2017
Rockdale Historical Society to have special guest June 20 - June 2019 (Lucille Hegamin, 1920's Blues Recording Artist)
Oxford Historical Society
Oxford Historical Society
Professor J. P. Godfrey, Sr. and J. P. Godfrey, Jr. are highlighted in the Oxford Historical Society's archives. Professor J. P. Godfrey, Sr. was a key figure in the education of black children during the years of the Conyers Colored High School timeframe.
Oxford Historical Society
Oxford Historical Society
Notable Oxfordian - J. P. Godfrey, Sr. with ties to Rockdale County (
After his tour of duty was over, Godfrey returned to Atlanta to continue his education at Morehouse College and earned his B.A. degree in education. By this time, he was fluent in both French and Latin. Godfrey took a position as a teacher in Fayetteville and while teaching there, met and married Sylvesta Floyd of Atlanta. They had three children: Carolyn Louise, Sallie Elaine, and John Pliny Jr. (“J.P.”). Godfrey later became principal of several county schools. In 1939, Godfrey went to Rockdale County to take the position of principal of Conyers Colored High School, a simple, one-story, wood-framed building located on Bryant Street. Following World War II, the faculty was expanded and in 1946 the school purchased several former military barracks that were relocated from Camp Gordon in Augusta. Godfrey instituted a school lunch program and also provided bus transportation for the students by purchasing and driving the school bus himself. (The county did not provide funds for school bus service for black children until 1950).
Godfrey was in the forefront in advocating state aid for the education of handicapped black children in Georgia. In 1948-49, he led an initiative to negotiate with the Rural Electric Association (now Snapping Shoals EMC) to provide electricity for Oxford residents living west of Wesley Street in Oxford and extending throughout the county.
Oxford Historical Society
Oxford Historical Society
Outstanding Oxford Citizen - J. P. Godfrey, Jr. with ties to Rockdale County
The Oxford Historical Society highlights the son of Professor J. P. Godfrey, Sr. and Sylvesta Floyd Godfrey, educators at Bryant Street School. J. P. Godfrey, Jr. served in the United States Air Force for 26 years and five months, Retiring November 1982 at the rank of Senior Master Sargeant (E-8).
Godfrey championed efforts to repair, renovate, and maintain the historically African American section of the Oxford Historical Cemetery and correct the disparity of maintenance between the segregated black and white sections. He supervised clean-up efforts, working closely with Dr. Mark Auslander and Dr. Ellen Schattschneider of Oxford College, and led the fight to get the African American section included under the maintenance agreement between the city and the foundation.
Godfrey was honored by the president, trustees, and faculty of Emory University on January 22, 2002 for his efforts. Godfrey was a member of the city council between 1998 and 2002, in charge of streets and sanitation. He also served on the planning commission, working to annex additional areas of the city. In 2005, he was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Oxford.
The Brick Store
The Brick Store
Open House October 22, 2017
Located in Newton County, the Brick Store/Hub Junction area, including the Hub Junction Bus Station, Mount Pleasant Church, Graves Chapel Church, Brick Store School, Atlanta Speed Shop/Hub Drag Strip, the Hub Drive-In Movie, Tri-County Livestock Barn, a beautiful local arrowhead/knife point collection, historic homes and farms, as well as people who have been vital parts of the area’s past. Visitors are able to view exhibits detailing the past and present of the Brick Store/HUB Junction area.
Brick Store open house draws big turnout
Delayed Brick Store project to begin - February 2012
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