Paula Deen Museum In The Works, Would Transform Star's Childhood Home In Albany, Ga.

Paula Deen's childhood home in Albany, Ga. may be transformed into a museum if a local businesswoman -- and Deen's ex-husband -- get their way.

Businesswoman B.J. Fletcher (who's running for a seat on the Albany City Commission) told The Albany Herald that she first started working on the project up to two years ago.

Some time later, she teamed up with Paula's first husband, Jimmy Deen, to help get the museum off the ground. Jimmy put Fletcher in touch with Paula, who was thrilled by the idea.

"It just takes my breath away that folks back in Albany would consider doing something like this," Paula told the publication in an interview, adding that she has given the project her blessing. "I'm just trying to wrap my head around this incredible honor. I would want something like this to be a symbol of hope for people looking to make their lives better."

According to The Sun Herald, Fletcher and Jimmy Deen want to move the home from its current location on Whitney Avenue to a location at the Thronateeska Heritage Foundation -- also home to other Albany tourist attractions including the Wetherbee Planetarium and the Thronasteeska's History Museum.