If you know Eatonton/Putnam County, you already know this community can boast an astonishing number of champions, Hall of Famers, and amazing artists. Sadly, during the past year, Eatonton has lost several of those very gifted people. The OSHM is remembering three who are already featured on the walls of the Old School History Museum: David Driskell, Glenn Wilkes, and Marianne Tanner. It is our honor to celebrate the talent, contributions, and pleasure they gave to the world.

David C. Driskell (1931-2020) was born in Eatonton and grew up to become a world-renowned artist, scholar, and curator of African American Art. The first in his family to attend college, Driskell’s achievements include a BA from Howard University, an MFA from Catholic University, and thirteen honorary doctorate degrees.

Driskell distinguished himself as a three-time winner of the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowships and received the National Humanities Medal from President Bill Clinton. He retired in 1990 as Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland and was honored for his academic contributions with the creation of the David C. Driskell Center, dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting African American art. Driskell’s paintings are displayed at the National Gallery and the Smithsonian and in galleries throughout the world.

In the Old School History Museum, look for David Driskell on the “Outstanding Citizens” wall.

To enjoy his work, you can visit the following exhibits of his paintings:

• Steffen Thomas Museum of Art, Buckhead, GA: February 11-April 22 - website: steffenthomas.org

• The High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA: February 6-May 9 - website: high.org

Glenn Wilkes (1928-2020), an Eatonton native, devoted his life to the sport of basketball and achieved international recognition for his efforts and expertise. Wilkes played basketball on the Putnam County High School team and attended Mercer University on a basketball scholarship, later being selected to the Mercer Hall of Fame.

After graduating from Mercer and serving in the Army during the Korean War, Wilkes began his coaching career at Brewton Parker College in Georgia, and his repeated wins caught the eye of the Stetson University Hatters in Florida. He was hired and spent 36 seasons as Stetson’s head coach, amassing a school-record of 552 victories. He had 23 winning seasons with the Stetson Hatters before his retirement in 1993. During his years at the university, Dr. Wilkes not only served as head coach but also as athletic director, professor, and mentor to students and players. He has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame, including the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Although his success on the court is well known, perhaps Coach Wilkes’ greatest contributions came off the court. His Glenn Wilkes Basketball Schools, founded in the 1950’s, were the first of their kind in Florida and the South and became the blueprint for all of today’s successful mega camps. Forever remembered as “The Godfather of Florida Basketball,” Wilkes was also a published author, writing several books on various aspects of the game. He will be missed by his legion of friends and fans.

Read more about Glenn Wilkes on the OSHM Sports Wall outside the Historic Classroom.

Marianne Tanner (1945-2021) moved from Savannah to Eatonton with her parents in 1958 and entered the 8th grade. She was an outstanding student, organization/club member, and cheerleader during her PCHS years and was voted Most Talented in her class of 1963. After high school, she attended the University of Georgia, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Fine Arts with emphasis on Interior Design. After graduation she worked at large architectural firms in New York, Connecticut, and Maryland, and over the years even restored two historic homes for her own use.

Upon retiring and returning to Eatonton, Marianne continued to use her artistic talent in service to the community. She served for 23 years on the Board of the Eatonton-Putnam County Historical Society. A founding member of the rebirth of All Angels Episcopal Church in 1999, she once again used her fine arts and interior design skills to help with the restoration of the Queen Anne Victorian Church and the addition of the new Parish Hall.

In 2003, Marianne joined the group of Eatonton citizens who were working to restore the old Eatonton School and turn it into an Arts Center. With insightful ideas and enthusiasm for the project, she chose to share her artistic skills with the Old School History Museum. Her life-long love of animals, especially horses, is evident in her wall painting of a racehorse on an early 1900’s Eatonton harness-racing track. OSHM docents still recall watching her stand, paint the horse, and bring history to life!

See Marianne Tanner’s racehorse outside the entrance to the OSHM.