Passionate Historian to Lead Community-Centered Programs at Museum, Strengthening Position as Dynamic Hub for Cultural Exploration
Hapeville, Ga. (November 30, 2024) – The Hapeville Depot Museum, an 1890 train depot transformed into a history museum in Hapeville, Ga. - one of three cities represented by the ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)—has appointed Nedra Deadwyler as its public historian. In her new role, Deadwyler will focus on community-centered history and programming to foster deeper connections between the museum and the public.
With a career rooted in social work, cultural preservation and creative leadership, Deadwyler brings a wealth of experience and a unique approach to the museum, emphasizing equitable processes that center community voices through defining and shaping stories of place. She is the founder and principal of Civil Bikes, an organization dedicated to heritage tours, bike education and advocacy for mobility justice and accessibility. Through initiatives such as youth bike camps and public engagement programs, Civil Bikes transforms how people connect with history and the urban landscape. Deadwyler also launched Save Your Spaces, a skill-sharing platform empowering individuals to lead preservation projects in their communities.
An accomplished writer and thought leader, Deadwyler’s work challenges the systems governing quality of life while inspiring collective transformation toward justice and interdependence. Her notable publications include:
- “Civil Bikes: Embracing Atlanta’s Racialized History Through Bicycle Tours,” a chapter in Bicycle Justice and Urban Transformation: Biking for All? (Routledge, 2016).
- “Whose Bike Lanes?” a book review of Bike Lanes Are White Lanes: Urban Planning and Bicycle Infrastructure Advocacy by Melody L. Hoffmann (2017).
- “There is a Tremendous Untold Story of Black People on Bikes,” an article published in Bicycling Magazine (August 2020).
Deadwyler’s accolades include serving as a 2021 Scholar-in-Residence with the Atlanta Beltline, being named a 2022 Aspen Institute Future Cities Fellow and earning a writing residency at the Hambidge Center in spring 2024. She holds a master’s degree in heritage preservation from Georgia State University, a master’s degree in social work from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Georgia.
Her efforts and experience will further establish the Hapeville Depot Museum as a dynamic space for dialogue, creativity and cultural exploration.
For additional details about Hapeville Depot Museum, please visit HapevilleDepot.org. Stay up to date on everything at the Hapeville Depot Museum by following on Facebook or Instagram.
To learn more about the ATL Airport District CVB, call 404-334-7500 or visit ATLdistrict.com. For updates on everything in the District, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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About the Hapeville Depot Museum
An 1890 train depot transformed into a history museum, gallery and visitor center, the Hapeville Depot Museum tells the story of aviation, railroad and automobile history, as well as the early history of Georgia, through the lens of Hapeville. The museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the depot’s grounds and building, which symbolize Hapeville’s immense industrial influence and its lasting impact on the community. By engaging broad audiences through urgent storytelling, immersive experiences and innovative educational programs, the museum remains relevant in today’s cultural conversations. The Hapeville Depot Museum aims to be the leading historic resource for education and scholarship, inspiring cultural and environmental awareness of Hapeville’s history. The cornerstone of the museum is merging history and art in immersive and innovative ways.
About the ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau
The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Georgia. Home to the world’s most traveled airport, Atlanta's second-largest convention center, more than 7,000 hotel rooms, an abundance of arts and culture, an eclectic mix of great restaurants, and located just minutes from downtown Atlanta, the ATL Airport District offers big-city amenities balanced with Southern charm.
Media Contact:
Samantha Singleton, Museum Director
ATL Airport District Media Contact:
Cameron Trice, Hemsworth
