‘Mrs. Beulah Rucker Oliver: My Life, My Time, My School’
When: 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24
Where: Brenau Downtown Center, 301 Main St. SE, Gainesville
Cost: $20 on sale by Beulah Rucker Museum board members or at The Northeast Georgia History Center
More info: www.brmuseum.org or 404-401-6589
Mrs. Beulah Rucker Oliver was an educator who educated African-Americans of Gainesville/Hall County from 1914 through 1958.
Now residents can get a glimpse of her as a one-woman play brings Oliver to life on the stage.
“Mrs. Beulah Rucker Oliver: My Life, My Time, My School” will detail the history of Mrs. Rucker’s journey through life, and the building of her school, The Industrial School. Born in 1888 in Banks County in an area previously known as Harmony Grove, Rucker was one of eight children. Her parents, Caroline Wiley and Willis Rucker, were sharecroppers.
At an early age, Rucker knew she wanted to be a teacher. As she grew, she learned her ABC’s by looking at the newspaper that was plastered on the cabin walls for warmth. In 1914, she purchased the site for The Industrial School, where it remained until its closing in 1958.
Rucker will be portrayed by Chiara Richardson, who has played the role several times at The Beulah Rucker Museum and Northeast Georgia History Center. Richardson is a published poet, actress, artist and educator. She can be found offering words of inspiration in coffee shops and after-school programs alike. Richardson also has graced stages in productions of “Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery,” “Blues For An Alabama Sky,” “The Importance of Being Ernest,” and “For Colored Girls,” to name a few.
Performances will be at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24, in the Brenau Downtown Center, 301 Main St. SE, in Gainesville.
Tickets are $20 each on sale by any Beulah Rucker Museum board member or at The Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St. NE, in downtown Gainesville. Tickets may be purchased at www.brmuseum.org.
For more information, call 404-401-6589.