History & Mission of the Monroe Museum

Founding Story

Around 2010, a group of Monroe citizens met to discuss the possibility of establishing a museum. They wanted a way to capture the culture and history of the town they knew. When sufficient funding and a home for the Museum were secured, the founders established a non-profit organization.The Monroe Museum was established in 2013 to preserve and share the history and culture of Monroe, Georgia.

Mission & Purpose

Mission 

The Mission of the Monroe Museum is to gather, display, and offer for research artifacts of Monroe and the surrounding communities.

Purpose

The Purpose of the Museum is to help foster a greater awareness and appreciation of Monroe's culture and history by promoting interaction with our archives. This promotion is accomplished by involving our community in programs, tours, field trips, and social media.

Growth & Today

In 2015, the Museum opened its first official gallery at 227 South Broad. The Museum has become a popular touring spot and a reputable home and resource of local historical information, collaborating with organizations like the Georgia Historical Trust and Smithsonian to bring audiences to Monroe.

The Museum is home to seven galleries (Entry, Main, Governor's, Military, Monroe Drum & Bugle Corps, and Agriculture & Industry) housing over 400+ original artifacts. In summer 2025, the Museum launched 'The Around Town' Gallery — accessible via bronze plaques with QR codes placed on historic buildings throughout downtown Monroe. With 20 locations, visitors access the history of each building via cell phone. In late 2025, the Portrait & Painting Gallery was added, doubling as a meeting space.

Beyond its walls, the Museum reaches well beyond South Broad Street through social media — over 13,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, and other programs that connect and serve the community. Historian Steve Brown brings new content weekly, reaching up to 108,000 people in a single month in early 2025. Walking Tours, Then and Now programs, the annual History Contest for middle schoolers, K-12 school tours, and community partnerships with local non-profits and businesses round out our reach.

Timeline

  • Founding discussions begin

  • Museum established as non-profit

  • First gallery opens at 227 South Broad

  • Kim Mulkey-Smith named Volunteer of the Year (Georgia Association of Museums)

  • Around Town Gallery launches with 20 QR plaques

  • Portrait & Painting Gallery added

Our Team

The staff behind Monroe Museum's daily operations.

Steve Brown, Historian

I attended the University of Georgia majoring in physical education. During this time, I married the love of my life, Susan Hearn. We have been happily married for 55 years. A few years later, with Susan supporting me, I finished two more degrees at UGA. I taught Physical Education at Berkmar High School in Lilburn for 29 years. I also coached Soccer, Football, Track and served as Athletic Director for 12 years. During this time Susan and I lived in Lawrenceville.

Laura Wilson, Collections 

Design note for designer: Kim suggested not including bios this round if they're not finalized — confirm with Curtis before pulling bios into the build. Placeholder structure should still be built so bios can be added without redesign.

Kim Mulkey-Smith, Director

Kim graduated with a BSEd in Physical Education, Health and Dance from the University of Georgia in1976. Following graduation, she taught high school physical education and coached from 1976-1980 inGwinnett County. She was employed by AT\&T (Southern Bell, BellSouth, AT\&T) from 1980-2008 working in customer support, marketing, data processing, change management and philanthropy. Upon retiring from AT\&T, Kim worked as Educational Consultant and partner with Integrity Consulting (2008-2011). From 2011 to 2023, Kim worked as a Reading Specialist in Walnut Grove Elementary School Afterschool Program.