BLACK HISTORY AT SPCCS - Richard Keil & the Tubman Museum

Not many know that it was St. Peter Claver Catholic Church pastor and school leader, Fr. Richard Keil, who founded the Tubman Museum.

A feisty Irishman hailing from Wisconsin, Richard Keil served in the US army before completing his seminary studies to become a Catholic priest during the 1950s. He was appalled by the blatant disparity experienced by Blacks and sought actively to change it. After working in several Black communities in the rural South, in 1976 he was assigned to St. Peter Claver in Macon and became the leader of our school.

After the 60s and 70s, Black pride had fallen by the wayside. Dignity and pride are critical to any life and Keil wanted to create a place, a museum, that celebrated Black culture and achievements. He said: “Starting a museum wasn’t just an act of love and appreciation. It was necessary.”

He so believed in this project that in 1981 he used his own personal funds to make a down payment on a vacant, 8,500-square foot warehouse on Walnut Street in downtown Macon and signed the loan for the purchase - convinced that his dream would be supported by others. The day he bought the building was one of the loneliest days of his life. He thought, “Who am I? I’m a white man saying we’re going to build an African-American museum in Macon, Georgia”.

After four years of fundraising and building, the museum opened to the public in 1985. Members of the St. Peter Claver Church congregation, local high school students, community volunteers, and other supporters donated their time, energies, and money to get the building ready.

The museum was a success and today is located in a beautiful new location on Cherry Street, across from the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. It is now in a striking 49,000 sq foot building that is very beautiful and one of the most distinctive buildings in Macon. The museum is now very well established and represents a key educational and cultural resource for Georgia and the entire Southeast, offering a wide array of exhibitions, programs, and services geared toward children, adults, families, students, and teachers.

Richard Keil is also an author. He has written a gripping tale of his time in the priesthood, and his constant struggles to bring about racial justice in the South. His book is a must read for all of us. You can find it on sale at the Tubman or on Amazon.

Richard Keil is an inspiration to us all. He personifies the best of our community. He is a true servant leader. He is no longer a priest and lives with his lovely wife Sarah in Macon. They continue to be some of the museum’s biggest cheerleaders.