After a nine year delay, work on the Tubman African-American Museum in Macon is underway again.

Museum director Andy Ambrose says the new building across from the Georgia Sports Hall of fame should be finished by the spring of next year.

Once it is complete visitors will see a cultural attraction that stands up to the large museums in Atlanta.

"The Tubman Museum is distinctive from almost any other museum in the Southeast region because we combine art and history to tell stories," said Ambrose.

He says the museum is working on potential partnerships with the National Center for Human and Civil Rights that’s opening in Atlanta.

Work had been stalled on the new building for nine years due to lack of funds.

The 49,000 square-foot museum will be much larger than the current location, which will enable the museum to showcase more of its collection currently in storage.

Tags: Tubman African American Museum, Leah Fleming, Richard Kiel, Andy Ambrose