Augusta was established in 1736 by British General James Oglethorpe. Augusta served as the state capital of Georgia from 1785 until 1795. In 1996 the City of Augusta consolidated with Richmond County to form Augusta-Richmond County. This consolidated governing body consists of a Mayor and 10 Augusta-Richmond County commissioners. Augusta-Richmond County is one of only three consolidated governments in Georgia.
The Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is the hospitality arm of Augusta. The ACVB’s goal is to promote Augusta as a visitor destination and to welcome those visitors with great Southern Hospitality when they arrive.
Founded in 1968 by the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce, the Augusta Junior Woman’s Club, and the Junior League of Augusta to serve as an umbrella organization for the arts in Augusta, we have taken an active role in supporting Augusta’s cultural identity. We currently act as Augusta’s Public Art Agency, and also administer grant arts funds from the City of Augusta through the City Arts Grants Program.