The new location was the original site of the museum when it opened around the time of the 1996 Olympics. Bill Dunn of the Doc Holliday Society said Bonnie Pfrogner, executive director of the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, had received many calls about Doc Holliday at that time and asked Dunn to put his collection of Holliday memorabilia on display.
“The response was astronomical, it was fantastic,” Dunn said.
People from all over the world came to see the museum. After the Olympics were over, Dunn considered taking down his display, but the public implored him to continue the display. Several years later, Dr. Phillip Adcock offered him space at his Lucky Street office, and so Dunn then set up shop there.
Dunn, however, did not wish to burden Adcock with the museum.
“It was just an economical move,” he said. “I felt that Dr. Adcock was really footing the expense. That was just too much for me to ask of one person.”
Someone else was interested in the space and Dunn told Adcock to take the offer. He thinks the 13th Street location is more appropriate.
“This house is a pre-Civil War house and is very fitting for the museum,” he said.
To secure funds for the move, Dunn made arrangements with Jason Hembree, owner of the Buffalo’s Cafe on Georgia Highway 16, to hold a fund-raiser. Headlining the event will be Sol Junky, a local rock band.
“They’re really an up-and-coming young local band,” Dunn said.
The event will also feature Western re-enactments put on by Shadows of the Past. According to a flier for the event, there will also be karaoke. Dunn said classic cars will be on display and he invites Griffin residents who own such cars to contact him, and he’ll try to arrange a place for them Saturday.
“It’s just a fun family outing,” Dunn said. “It’s just an event that would be a little something of interest for different people, for kids and adults alike. It’s just a fun afternoon for your family.”
Dunn has high hopes for his museum. He thinks it can become something big for Griffin, particularly if the commuter-rail plan comes to fruition. He hopes to have it open again in late May or on June 1.
“For any groups that request tours, please call to assure the museum is complete,” he said. “It’s safer to do it that way.”
Dunn thanked the residents of Griffin for their support.
“I want to thank the people in Griffin for their support and their interest and to all the groups that have asked me to come and do presentations,” he said. “I appreciate their interest in Griffin’s most famous native son.”
Clint Ivie, the lead singer for Sol Junky, is looking forward to assisting the museum.
“I think it’s a great thing for Griffin, historically,” he said. “I’m hoping it will help out with the so-called tourism through Griffin. I hear they’re thinking about bringing the train down here, so it might be something great for Griffin.”
The fund-raiser will last from noon until 7 p.m.
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