Presentation – History of Bricklaying in Valdosta

Speaker Al Willis will trace the history of the bricklaying craft in Valdosta from the beginning through the mid-20th century. During that time, the craft was dominated by African-American practitioners. Willis will highlight how their skills interfaced with the design talents of local architects, in particular Lloyd Greer, to enable the production of a remarkable array of graceful brick structures throughout Valdosta. The talk will be illustrated with a PowerPoint showcasing some of the most remarkable of those structures and their details.