WHHRC
Source: https://www.willowhillheritage.org
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:41
WHHRC
Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center
Home
Preserving the history of the longest running school in Bulloch County Georgia.
Started in 1874 by formerly enslaved people, the Willow Hill School evolved into the
Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center
- a museum and community resource that honors the cultural impact of the Willow Hill community.
Learn More
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
UPCOMING EVENT: A Taste of Struggle
May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Join us for “A Taste of Struggle” - An exhibition of cooking, storytelling, and reenactments exploring the complex history of food, labor, resilience, and survival within African American communities. Museum tours will be available.
This event, previously scheduled for April 25, 2026, has been postponed until May (date not yet specified).
May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Jun 1, 2026 – Jun 26, 2026
2026 Techie Camp
Jun 1, 2026 – Jun 26, 2026
The Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center is excited to announce Techie Camp Season 2026!
Students will explore technology through interactive activities designed to spark curiosity, build practical skills, and encourage creativity in a supportive environment.
Jun 1, 2026 – Jun 26, 2026
Sep 5, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026
SAVE THE DATE: 2026 Willow Hill Heritage Festival
Sep 5, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026
Mark your calendars! The annual Willow Hill Heritage Festival, hosted at the historic Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center, returns on September 5 & 6, 2026, for a weekend filled with culture, community, and celebration.
Sep 5, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Click here to register for the “A Taste of Struggle” event!
WANT TO WORK WITH TECH CORPS?
Summer employment opportunities available!
Updates regarding upcoming programs and events will be posted here as they are confirmed.
The Whhrc Museum: Educational and Engaging
More than just a static repository—the
Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center Museum
serves as an active hub for community engagement and archival preservation.
Museum tours are available by appointment only - simply fill out a Facility Request Form if you’d like to schedule a visit!
Learn more
Schedule a visit
OUR RECENT EXHIBITS
MORE THAN A NAME: Commemorating Bulloch County’s African American Fallen Soldiers of the First World War
BURYING INEQUALITY:
African American Funeral Directors of Bulloch County
“If These Cemeteries Could Talk”
Cemetery Tour Project
In 2019, the Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center began conducting and recording tours of the 38 known African-American cemeteries in Bulloch County, Georgia.
Learn more
Archival Endeavors
The
African American Funeral Programs Database
is a collaborative project between the Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center and Georgia Southern University, featuring materials collected by Dr. Alvin D. Jackson over more than 35 years.
Learn more
The collection preserves funeral programs, obituaries, and related documents that provide insight into the lives of African Americans from Bulloch County and its surrounding communities.
The
Willow Hill Digital Archive Project
centers on a collection of oral history interviews conducted by Dr. Alvin Jackson with former students and educators of the Willow Hill School. Each interview is preserved with transcripts, photographs, and in some cases, funeral programs, offering a vivid record of the community’s history. By digitizing these interviews, the project safeguards the voices and experiences of Willow Hill for future generations.
Learn more
Newsworthy Stories
WILLOW HILL IN THE NEWS
Feb 22, 2026
The Enduring Legacy of the Bennett Family
Feb 22, 2026
An eight-year-old boy watched Sherman’s troops pass through Emanuel County in 1864, not yet understanding how much his world was about to change. Decades later, that once-enslaved boy, Benjamin Bennett, would build a school on his Bulloch County farm, creating educational opportunities for generations of local children.
Feb 22, 2026
Feb 15, 2026
They Left with the Yankees: Following the Trail to Freedom
Feb 15, 2026
A lifelong pursuit of family history has unearthed the complex realities faced by enslaved ancestors. This week, hear the story of Thomas Hodges Sr., who was born into slavery in 1808, and his descendants.
Feb 15, 2026
Featured News
HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS
A collection of stories and articles from historical newspapers, related to Willow Hill School and its surrounding communities.
Learn more
Show Your Support!
Your donation makes a difference. Donate today to help the Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center advance its mission!
DONATE
Affiliates
The Center is a member of the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network (GAAHPN). GAAHPN is a statewide initiative focused on preserving African American historic sites and promoting awareness of African American heritage in Georgia.
Click here to learn more.
WHHRC is affiliated with the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) as a member institution. The AAAM is a nonprofit organization that supports African and African American-focused museums across the nation and internationally.
Click here to learn more.
Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center
Home
Preserving the history of the longest running school in Bulloch County Georgia.
Started in 1874 by formerly enslaved people, the Willow Hill School evolved into the
Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center
- a museum and community resource that honors the cultural impact of the Willow Hill community.
Learn More
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
UPCOMING EVENT: A Taste of Struggle
May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Join us for “A Taste of Struggle” - An exhibition of cooking, storytelling, and reenactments exploring the complex history of food, labor, resilience, and survival within African American communities. Museum tours will be available.
This event, previously scheduled for April 25, 2026, has been postponed until May (date not yet specified).
May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Jun 1, 2026 – Jun 26, 2026
2026 Techie Camp
Jun 1, 2026 – Jun 26, 2026
The Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center is excited to announce Techie Camp Season 2026!
Students will explore technology through interactive activities designed to spark curiosity, build practical skills, and encourage creativity in a supportive environment.
Jun 1, 2026 – Jun 26, 2026
Sep 5, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026
SAVE THE DATE: 2026 Willow Hill Heritage Festival
Sep 5, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026
Mark your calendars! The annual Willow Hill Heritage Festival, hosted at the historic Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center, returns on September 5 & 6, 2026, for a weekend filled with culture, community, and celebration.
Sep 5, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Click here to register for the “A Taste of Struggle” event!
WANT TO WORK WITH TECH CORPS?
Summer employment opportunities available!
Updates regarding upcoming programs and events will be posted here as they are confirmed.
The Whhrc Museum: Educational and Engaging
More than just a static repository—the
Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center Museum
serves as an active hub for community engagement and archival preservation.
Museum tours are available by appointment only - simply fill out a Facility Request Form if you’d like to schedule a visit!
Learn more
Schedule a visit
OUR RECENT EXHIBITS
MORE THAN A NAME: Commemorating Bulloch County’s African American Fallen Soldiers of the First World War
BURYING INEQUALITY:
African American Funeral Directors of Bulloch County
“If These Cemeteries Could Talk”
Cemetery Tour Project
In 2019, the Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center began conducting and recording tours of the 38 known African-American cemeteries in Bulloch County, Georgia.
Learn more
Archival Endeavors
The
African American Funeral Programs Database
is a collaborative project between the Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center and Georgia Southern University, featuring materials collected by Dr. Alvin D. Jackson over more than 35 years.
Learn more
The collection preserves funeral programs, obituaries, and related documents that provide insight into the lives of African Americans from Bulloch County and its surrounding communities.
The
Willow Hill Digital Archive Project
centers on a collection of oral history interviews conducted by Dr. Alvin Jackson with former students and educators of the Willow Hill School. Each interview is preserved with transcripts, photographs, and in some cases, funeral programs, offering a vivid record of the community’s history. By digitizing these interviews, the project safeguards the voices and experiences of Willow Hill for future generations.
Learn more
Newsworthy Stories
WILLOW HILL IN THE NEWS
Feb 22, 2026
The Enduring Legacy of the Bennett Family
Feb 22, 2026
An eight-year-old boy watched Sherman’s troops pass through Emanuel County in 1864, not yet understanding how much his world was about to change. Decades later, that once-enslaved boy, Benjamin Bennett, would build a school on his Bulloch County farm, creating educational opportunities for generations of local children.
Feb 22, 2026
Feb 15, 2026
They Left with the Yankees: Following the Trail to Freedom
Feb 15, 2026
A lifelong pursuit of family history has unearthed the complex realities faced by enslaved ancestors. This week, hear the story of Thomas Hodges Sr., who was born into slavery in 1808, and his descendants.
Feb 15, 2026
Featured News
HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS
A collection of stories and articles from historical newspapers, related to Willow Hill School and its surrounding communities.
Learn more
Show Your Support!
Your donation makes a difference. Donate today to help the Willow Hill Heritage and Renaissance Center advance its mission!
DONATE
Affiliates
The Center is a member of the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network (GAAHPN). GAAHPN is a statewide initiative focused on preserving African American historic sites and promoting awareness of African American heritage in Georgia.
Click here to learn more.
WHHRC is affiliated with the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) as a member institution. The AAAM is a nonprofit organization that supports African and African American-focused museums across the nation and internationally.
Click here to learn more.