WALB is working to produce a video for this story. In the meantime, we encourage you to watch our livestream.

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Albany Civil Rights Institute needs major repairs, including repairing roof issues and a broken A/C system.

The Albany Civil Rights Institute moved into its current building in 2008. The exterior still looks beautiful, but the inside tells a different story.

WALB toured the building with the museum administrator, who told me the A/C has been out all summer. On top of that, the roof has been leaking for five years and is in need of major repairs.

Albany City Commissioner Diana Brown raised concerns at this week’s commission meeting, noting that the museum doesn’t have a full-time director. She says the institute sits in her ward, and she wants to see it restored to its former glory.

“It’s unacceptable. We got to put the checks and balances in place, and now I’m here and I’m that voice for the Albany Civil Rights Institute, which led us to where we are today. It’s an icon for us, and this is in our city and the county. We’ve got to do better,” she said.

City Manager Terrell Jacobs responded, saying a meeting is being scheduled with the institute’s Vice President Charlie Crapps, to address the issues. He told WALB over the phone that they’re working on it.

Commissioner Brown believes the issues have been ignored for too long and that the city needs to invest, not only to fix the building, but to hire a full-time director.

“My concern is, we’ve got all these projects moving, G-Hall, the aquarium, the museum of arts, but our civil rights museum is standing still. That’s what puzzled me.”

Museum staff are doing their best despite the challenges, but they’re hoping help arrives soon.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.