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Savannah Museums
Savannah museums provide photographs, documents, and artifacts associated with Savannah's long and storied history. The museums can be found all over the city and all provide interesting information about Savannah's heritage. If you are interested in history, add a number of these museums to your list of things to do in Savannah.
Black History
Beneath the charm and beauty of this city lies an unsavory past - the practice of slavery. With the invention of the cotton gin and the subsequent mass planting of sea island cotton, extra labor was needed. Black slaves were brought into Georgia through the port of Savannah and large slave auctions were held to provide labor for the plantations and massive homes being built by the cotton brokers. By the eve of the Civil War, Georgia's residents included over 460,000 black slaves. Today, blacks make up a slight minority in Savannah. As you tour this beautiful city, keep in mind that Savannah was built on the backs, and sometimes the graves, of black slaves.
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum - 460 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
This museum, housed in the old Wage Earners Bank (believed to be the second bank for African Americans in the nation) is dedicated to the story of Savannah's civil rights struggles during the middle of the 20th century. The museum is named after the Reverand Ralph Mark Gilbert, a pastor at the First African Baptist Church, who was instrumental in Savannah's civil rights. Hours are Mon-Sat, 9a-5p. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children.
First African Baptist Church - 23 Montgomery on Franklin Square
This church was the first African Baptist church built in the United States. George Leile, a slave whose master allowed him to preach to other slaves, established the church. Leile eventually received his freedom and earned enough money to buy this church from a white congregation. The church was rebuilt by the congregation, by torchlight after their work on the plantations. The black congregation rebuilt the church brick by brick, making this church the first brick building owned by African Americans. The church is still operating and has regular worship services on Sunday at 8:30a amd 11:30a.
King-Tisdell Cottage - 514 Huntingdon St.
This gingerbread cottage was built in 1869 and provides information about the early African-American history of Savannah. The furniture and other artifacts are from the 1890s. Entrance is $3 and the hours are Noon to 5p Tues-Sat.
Beach Institute - 502 E. Harris St.
The American Missionary Association established this school in 1865 for newly freed slaves. The building was erected in 1867 and became a public school in 1919. The school now operates as a museum providing information about the cultural contributions of African-Americans. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children. Hours are noon to 5p, Tues-Sat.
The third oldest Jewish congregation in the United States still worships in Savannah. Just five short months after James Oglethorpe founded Georgia, 42 Jews arrived in Savannah with a Torah Scroll made of deerskin (believed to be the oldest in the United States) in search of freedom and opportunity.
Temple Mickve Israel's Synagogue and Archival Museum - northeast corner of Monterey Square
One of most interesting tours of Savannah was that of the Temple Mickve sanctuary and museum. Entrance fees are $5 for a 45-minute tour, but the price is well worth the historical insight gleaned from this informative tour. The artifacts in the archival museum are alone worth the price of admission.
Other Important Museums
Savannah History Museum -303 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Located in the Savannah Visitor's Center, which is the old passenger station of the Central of Georgia Railway, this museum provides a number of artifacts and exhibits related to Savannah's history. Exhibits include an 1890 steam locomotive still sitting on original Central of Georgia tracks. Museum hours are 8:30-5p weekdays and 9a-5p on weekends. Entrance is $4.25 for adults and $3.75 for children 6 to 12.
Telfair Museum of Art - 121 Barnard St.
This museum preserves, acquires and interprets original works of art and architecture. The mansion was designed by William Jay and built for Alexander Telfair in 1819. Exhibits change 8 to 14 times annually. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for students, and $4 for children.
Ships of the Sea Museum - 41 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
This is not a large museum - it is housed in a home built in 1819 for William Scarbrough, the president of the Savannah Steamship company - but it is filled with a collection of model ships and paintings of a maritime theme. A model of the SS Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, is on display. Hours are 10a-5p, Tue-Sun. Closed on Monday. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children.
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