MACON, Ga. — Years ago, the Tubman Museum was located at 340 Walnut Street in a 7,500 square foot building.
Museum Director Andy Ambrose knew in order for the museum to continue growing and bring in more people, a new location would be necessary.
In 2015 the Tubman Museum moved to its current home, on the corner of Fifth and Cherry Street in Downtown Macon.
"In the first year when we opened, we brought the Pan-African Festival to the plaza and it brought about 8,000 people. Within two years, we were at 18,000 people on a weekend and the fire marshal told us we had to move," Ambrose said.
That is just one success Ambrose remembers during his time as director.
He also remembers building a relationship with the neighboring Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
"There's this growing collaborative and cooperative spirit among the cultural institutions downtown and that's going to have a tremendous impact," Ambrose said.
Jim Mclendon is the director of the Hall of Fame, and he says he is sad to see Ambrose go.
"Andy has a high energy level I believe and he's brought a lot of forward-thinking to the museum for various reasons. It had not progressed much in the last several years until he came on board," Mclendon said.
As the museum starts looking for a new leader, Ambrose says he hopes the success will continue for years to come.
"As I step away and the next person comes in to continue to build the Tubman and its audience, I hope that people keep in mind that you need to support this museum. It can't exist without that," he said.
Now, Ambrose is counting down the days to his departure. In the meantime, he does not know what his next move will be.
"I'm looking to other avenues to explore, but I go with a great sense of gratitude for what this museum and this community allowed us to do," Ambrose said.
His last day is Friday, Aug. 2.