Savannah reigns as the home base for some of the South’s most affluent turning points.
Generals proposed war-altering decisions here during the Civil War. Some of Savannah’s first NAACP members staged sit-ins at once-downtown department stores during the Civil Rights Movement. These and many other historical narratives continue their legacy in Savannah’s unique plethora of museums, revolving around everything from key historical figures to different art movements, catering to every history buff, miscellaneous-fact aficionado and art admirer.
1. Savannah History Museum
The Savannah History Museum celebrates the city’s earliest history from 1733 through its significant roles during the American Revolution and Civil War. Located in the beautiful brick Central of Georgia Railway Train Shed in Tricentennial Park, this must-see museum exhibits Savannah’s artistic and cultural milestones. Battlefield Memorial Park, just across the street from the museum, commemorates the bravery of the 8,000 soldiers who fought in the Battle of Savannah on October 9, 1779, the second bloodiest battle of the American Revolution.
2. Jepson Center for the Arts
Telfair Square might as well be called Savannah’s art block, with two world-class art museums adjacent to each other on two of the Square’s four sides. The Jepson Center for the Arts, one of the three Telfair Museums in Savannah, houses a stunning collection of modern art and rotating exhibitions featuring some of the art world’s most notable names. Over 7,500 square feet of glistening gallery space greets both museum guests – young and young at heart.
3. Telfair Academy
Acclaimed architect of colonial Savannah William Jay designed the breathtaking Telfair Academy in 1818 for Alexander Telfair, son of Revolutionary War patriot and Georgia governor Edward Telfair. Ju Jepson, the Telfair Museum’s Telfair Academy displays a superb permanent collection of 20th-century American and European art. Fans of Frederick Frieseke and Childe Hassam will find exceptional works throughout the museum’s 19th-century period rooms.
4. Georgia State Railroad Museum
In addition to boating one of the most-used ports in the Coastal Empire, Savannah has one of the highest-rated train and locomotive-centered museums in the nations. Next to the Savannah History Museum in Tricentennial Park, the Georgia State Railroad Museum resides in the old Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities. Don’t miss the chance explore the many boxcars and to actually ride one of the museum’s historic steam or diesel locomotives. It’s an adventure waiting to happen.
5. SCAD Museum of Art
The Savannah College of Art and Design gains a positive charge from Savannah’s big-small-town feel. Likewise, the city embraces SCAD and its mission to promote and nurture the arts. The SCAD Museum of Art, the university’s premier contemporary art museum, aims to educate students and enhance visitor experiences with its extensive spectrum of work. Quarterly exhibits showcase a variety of mediums from renowned professional artists, including Saya Woolfalk and Masud Olufani.
6. Massie Heritage Center
One school you won’t want to ditch is the Massie Heritage Center, Georgia’s oldest school still in operation. Today, it opens its doors for everyone as a resource center displaying collections of period costumes and an array of artifacts from state and Savannah history. An example of Greek revival architecture, the Massie Heritage Center also features world-class exhibitions highlighting Savannah’s renowned architectural history on Taylor Square.
7. Andrew Low House
On Lafayette Square, an iron gate and green shutters alert passersby of the Andrew Low House’s historic stateliness. Designed by architect John Norris, this elegant villa served Andrew Low and his family in mid-19th century, and it has since been preserved and restored to its original Italianate style. Low’s name should ring a bell with those familiar with Savannah history. Low’s daughter-in-law was none other than Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of the Girl Scouts of the United States.
8. Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
Whether you still remember the pledge – “On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country…” – or wish to explore the life of the incredible Savannah woman who inspired it, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace welcomes folks from all walks of life into its special “house museum.” Owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., this National Historic Landmark leads guided tours.
9. Harper Fowlkes House
In the backyard of Orleans Square stands the majestic Harper Fowlkes House. With 19th-century period rooms, this Greek-Revival mansion is a jaw-dropper for architectural and history enthusiasts and decorators. This historic home currently serves as headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Georgia. The Society is a non-political, patriotic and military-based organization established at the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783.
10. Savannah Children’s Museum
Even Savannah’s youngest explorers have their own mecca of discovery at the Savannah Children’s Museum in Tricentennial Park. Journey through a sensory garden, wander through an exploration maze, and share a story in the reading nook. The upper courtyard of the Central of Georgia Railway Carpentry Shop offers hands-on exhibits and activities, designed for budding imaginations
11. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
The Savannah River continues to play a major role in hosting ships and barges from all over the world. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum applies this perspective and more with naval and aquatic accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries. This specialty museum displays nine full galleries of ship models as well as nautical paintings and artifacts. Located on MLK Jr. Blvd.
12. Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
This museum is named for the late Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert, honored as the father of Savannah’s modern-day Civil Rights Movement. This museum recounts the history of Georgia’s oldest African-American community and their pursuit of civil rights. The building’s own history dates back to its days as the Wage Earners Savings and Loan Bank. At one time, the Savings and Loan served as the largest bank for African-Americans in this county. Located on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
