The Guard House Museum welcomes visitors from all over to the historic Augusta University Summerville Campus.
Established in 2004, the museum has served the community as a history headquarters. Visitors can explore the historic Summerville Campus, where Augusta's U.S. Arsenal operated for more than 125 years. Visitors will learn the story of Augusta University, and its many legacy institutions, including the Medical College of Georgia and Academy of Richmond County.
The history of the surrounding Sand Hills and Summerville historic districts is told through a timeline exhibition spanning more than 200 years of higher education and development in the city of Augusta.
The museum reopened on October 20, 2022, and serves as a welcome center for visitors wishing to explore the history walk that circles the Summerville Campus. Please plan to visit the museum during our opening hours and special events to learn more about Augusta University's rich history.
The museum operating hours are from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday. Guided tours are available by appointment.
NEW! Take a Virtual Tour of the Historic Summerville Campus: Click HERE!
Guard House Museum
Summerville Campus
Stacey Thompson
Museum Director
706-737-1738
The Augusta University Guard House Museum and History Walk mission is to educate students and the community through the preservation and interpretation of Augusta University history, the history of the campus grounds and the history of the neighborhoods of Sand Hills and Summerville. The Museum was established in 2003.
The United States Army Arsenal Guard House was built in 1866 at the entrance to the U.S. Arsenal grounds, located at the corner of Walton Way and Katherine Street. The building served U.S. troops and functioned as security headquarters during the Reconstruction era (1866-1877). The building eventually fell into disuse and disrepair after becoming part of the university's grounds. In 2003, the Guard House was restored thanks to a campaign by Summerville residents and university faculty and staff who wanted to restore the building and establish a History Walk. This was made possible through a generous gift from Ann Boardman in honor of her son-in-law Maxcy Paul Brown, as well as a grant from the state of Georgia. The restoration effort won a preservation award from Historic Augusta.
Please park in the visitor parking area beside Washington Hall. Additionally, there is often parking on Katherine Street available. The Museum is located behind Galloway Hall on the History Walk.
The Augusta University Guard House Museum is located in one of the oldest buildings on the Summerville campus, the U.S. Arsenal Guard House. The Guard House, built in 1866 during post-civil war reconstruction, was used by security guards working at the arsenal, guarding the entrance to the facility. The U.S. Arsenal was built in Augusta in 1819, and moved to the Summerville area in 1826. It remained open and operational until 1955.
The Main Gallery Exhibition highlights archeological finds from past excavations on the Summerville campus. These artifacts are complimented by historic collections integral to the story of the Arsenal and the establishment of Augusta University’s legacy institutions, The Academy of Richmond County and the Medical College of Georgia. The re-opening of the Guard House Museum in 2022 launched a new exhibition made possible through the hard work and dedication of committee members, Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell, Dr. Karla Leeper and Dean Kim Davies, in addition to Nancy Glaser, Director of the Augusta History Museum. A new timeline exhibition focuses upon the birth of the United States of America followed by a pivotal visit from George Washington himself in 1791. The forefather and first president of our nation observed examinations at The Academy of Richmond County and decided upon Augusta as the locale for the U.S. Arsenal during his visit. What follows is the story of how Augusta grew and developed into a military and educational powerhouse, home to Augusta University, Fort Eisenhower and Army Cyber Command Headquarters.
The Guard House Museum will be hosting its annual Fall exhibit opening and reception on Thursday October 16th from 3-5 pm. Guest speaker, Dr. Ruth McClelland-Nugent, Chair of the Department of History, Anthropology and Philosophy, will give a talk titled “Rationing & Recipes: Augusta’s Kitchen Front”. Themed catering, victory garden tips and recipes will be offered.
Dr. McClelland-Nugent’s speech will mark the opening of the museum’s new exhibit “Homefront Heroes: Augusta’s Women during World War II.” The exhibit will feature a new diorama, original Arsenal ID badges and a short video highlighting the work of women employed by the U.S. Arsenal in Augusta. Women were often working during the day and caring for their families in the evening while men were overseas fighting in the war.
Students, faculty, and surrounding community members are encouraged to attend and learn more about the history of the Augusta Arsenal and the impact prescribed food rations had on families living in Augusta during World War II. The event is free and open to the public.
2024
Jaguar Journeys: Jaguars United will be the third and final exhibit in the three-part Jaguar Journeys series. The three-part exhibit titles and topics were proposed by museum studies students more than three years ago, as they worked to update the museum’s strategic plan. Students wanted to illustrate how four campuses have come together to create one Jaguar identity. This exhibit strives to accomplish their vision, as it explores what it means to be a Jaguar in the past, present and future.
The exhibition will open on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 4pm. Charcuterie, speeches and crafts will accompany a special exhibition viewing. This free event is open to the public. No rsvp required.
Kim Davies, PhD
Ruth McClelland-Nugent, PhD
Jennifer Trunzo, PhD
Melissa DeVelvis, PhD
Stephen Hardy
David Bulla, PhD
Stefane Raulerson, EdD
Lee Ann Caldwell
Khadejah Bates
Morgan Hayes
William Hatcher, PhD
Mike Kessler, PhD