Linnentown, once a vibrant African-American neighborhood on Baxter Street's west side, was demolished in 1962 under the Federal Urban Renewal Program, supported by local and federal officials. Residents were forced to relocate to public housing or find new homes, with minimal compensation, to make way for UGA's high-rise dorms. By 1966, all traces of Linnentown were erased. The Linnentown Project, formed by descendants, aims to raise awareness of the community's destruction. In 2018, historical records were found at the UGA Hargrett Library. The Linnentown Justice and Memory Project, established in June 2020, is tasked with creating plans for atonement. In February 2021, after two years of research and lobbying, the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County unanimously adopted the groundbreaking Linnentown Resolution for Recognition and Redress, the first official act of reparations in Georgia.

Hattie Thomas Whitehead, a first descendant of Linnentown, is a key figure in The Linnentown Project, serving as financial and public chair and outreach coordinator. She also chairs the Athens Justice and Memory Project, addressing reconciliation and redress for urban renewal impacts on Black communities. With 27 years as a corporate operations manager, focusing on diversity appreciation, she recently retired. Her memoir “Giving Voice to Linnentown” and its musical adaptation, “Linnentown: The Musical,” have proven successful in educating the community. The musical alone has sold over 3,500 tickets at the Classic Center.

Tickets can be purchased here. After you purchase your tickets, make sure to check your confirmation email for a link to the instructions page.