MACON, GA -- The Tubman African American Museum is becoming a "destination point," museum officials said, even as it faces significant challenges to fulfill the nearly $9.5 million fundraising goal to open its long-delayed location on Cherry Street.

Andy Ambrose, the museum's director, told Bibb County commissioners last week that "people outside of Macon have heard of (the Tubman)," but he also acknowledged that the museum lags in regional and national recognition, endowments and donations.

"We just aren't there," he said.

The Tubman has raised about $1.5 million toward finishing its planned Cherry Street home, which has stood empty since construction was halted in 2005 because of a lack of funding. Ambrose said the museum needs another $7 million to finish the structure, which will not open for at least another three to five years. MORE