Location: Savannah
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10 History Museums in Savannah That You Shouldn't Miss
Charming Savannah is the picture of antebellum hospitality, thanks to period architecture and oak-lined streets. It’s tempting to spend your trip just relaxing on vast verandas and sipping mint juleps, but there are plenty of historical sites and museums to explore. Haunting (and possibly haunted) Bonaventure Cemetery is one of the hallmarks of the city, featuring beautiful obelisks, masses of flowers, and ivy-covered crypts. Dine on fresh seafood and creamy grits for a taste of Savannah home cooking.
Restaurants in Savannah
1. Pin Point Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 519 reviews
Reviewed By RunnerGirl53 - Columbia, United States
What an amazing experience! This unassuming heritage museum is fascinating-made even more interesting and educational by the wonderful guides who provided the history of the area and the Gullah/Geechee culture in a most engaging manner. After the tour, and the documentary included with the tour, I recommend going back through the buildings to read the displays and savor the atmosphere at your leisure.Leave some time to explore the "Company Store" (gift shop).
2. Savannah Classic Cars
3. Davenport House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 771 reviews
Federal-style home of master builder Isaiah Davenport restored to its early 19th century beauty. Owned and operated by Historic Savannah Foundation.
Reviewed By foundtrips - San Antonio, United States
An award-winning example of historic preservation and restoration. This federal style structure built in 1820, was one of the first projects that began the restoration movement in Savannah in the mid-1950s. The central spiral staircase is an architectural delight. This is a must-visit!
4. Old Fort Jackson
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,399 reviews
The state's oldest remaining fort dates back to 1808 and includes a number of Civil War and other military exhibits. Daily cannon firing programs are offered at 11:00am and 2:00pm.
Reviewed By Collins419
My wife and I wanted to see at least one of the two forts in Savannah while we were here, so we stopped in at Old Fort Jackson. I was struck by how friendly the staff were right off the bat and the abundance of historical documentation throughout the fort. That they had two live demonstrations at 11:00 and 3:00 p.m. which included a rifle/musket drill and firing and a cannon firing and each was explained very well and in thoughtful detail. I would definitely suggest anyone who's coming to Savannah to definitely check out old four tracks and as it's a huge part of the US history, three separate wars which include the Revolutionary war, the War of 1812 and the Civil War and you learn a lot about the historical inaccuracies and historical accuracies within our history books.
5. Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,176 reviews
Built as a beautiful Regency style mansion in 1819, the Owens-Thomas House, along with its adjacent gardens, carriage house, and slave quarters, allows visitors to explore the complicated relationships between the most and least powerful people in the city of Savannah in the early 19th century. Only a seven-minute walk from Telfair Museums’ other two sites, this historic home offers a completely different experience. Telfair Museums’ Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters has paused all docent led tours indefinitely due to COVID-19. Guests may independently navigate the historic home with an audio tour available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website.
Reviewed By Carol757 - Springfield, United States
It’s important to recognize and acknowledge the legacy of slavery in places like Savannah, and the Owens-Thomas House (one of the three institutions that make up the Telfair Museums) does, I think, a good job doing so. In addition to point out such features as the (then) modern indoor plumbing and the balcony where General Lafayette spoke to the citizens of Savannah, the guides also do an excellent job of speaking about the slaves who lived there. It’s definitely a must-see while in Savannah.
6. Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum Inc.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 345 reviews
THE RALPH MARK GILBERT CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM IS CLOSED DUE TO THE COVID - 19 SITUATION UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES:rmgilbertcivilrightsmuseum.com The Museum captures the Civil Rights Movement in Savannah. The exhibits tell the story of the Father of modern Civil Rights movement in Savannah, Reverend Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert who reorganized the local chapter of the NAACP in the 1940s. His successor Westley Wallace Law led the Civil Rights Movement, in Savannah, through the turbulent 1960s with nonviolent protests that resulted in the downtown businesses in the city of Savannah being desegregated by 1963. Visitors also experience a "church theatre" which connects the story of the church organization and NAACP working in tandem to make the Savannah Civil Right movement a success. In the theatre guests watch a video that is a window into the history as the men and women who were on the front lines of Savannah's Civil Rights Movement tell their stories.
Reviewed By fieldtriplady3
My school took 90 middle school students to the museum for Black History Month. They had been learning about the Civil Rights Movement in class and this was an excellent enrichment activity. The focus was specifically Savannah's part in Civil Rights history, which I think the students really appreciated because they were able to recognize places in the pictures. The layout allowed for easy navigation for our very large group and the guides were very knowledgeable and engaging with our pre-teens. The exhibits were interactive and impactful. The museum was walking distance to First African Baptist Church and many places to eat, which was the second part of the field trip and works well.
7. King Tisdell Cottage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Built in 1896, this Victorian-styled cottage was home to Sara King and Robert Tisdell, members of Savannah's vibrant African-American entrepreneurial class at the turn of the century. Today, the restored cottage is devoted to aspects of Savannah's African-American history.
8. Savannah History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 586 reviews
In the former Central of Georgia Railway passenger station & adjacent to the Savannah Visitor Center, the museum offers a brief introduction to the story of Savannah through exhibits and a short film on the history of the city.
Reviewed By HowardW42 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
For only $9 per person, we found this lovely little history museum. There was a terrific presentation on the history of the Girl Scouts (founded in Savannah) as well as an assortment of interesting local stories and memorabilia. Not to be missed was the bench from the film Forest Gump, that was filmed in one of the lovely city green spaces.
9. The Georgia Historical Society
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 15 reviews
Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation. Founded in 1839, the Georgia Historical Society is the oldest continuously operated historical society in the South. The Georgia Historical Society administers a variety of educational programs promoting Georgia and American history through education and research. GHS oversees the statewide Historical Marker Program, the Georgia History Festival, educational outreach initiatives, and public programming to introduce new perspectives and scholarship. The GHS Research Center is open to the public for research and preserves an unparalleled collection of Georgia history. A vast collection of digitized material is available through our website. *The Research Center is currently closed for renovation.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Just when you think you've visited every museum worth visiting, you discover another one...and another one. The Georgia Historical Society is one you shouldn't miss. Located at 501 Whitaker Street, at the north end of Forsyth Park, at the southwest corner of Gaston and Whitaker Streets, in the heart of Savannah, Georgia, it was chartered in 1839 and is the oldest cultural institution in Georgia and one of the oldest historical organizations in the United States. It houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation. And did I mention the building? Designed by architect Detlef Lienau, the Gothic style structure dates to 1876. Architecture buffs will be impressed by the entranceway, woodwork, three-story ceiling and period gas lights. It is home to a research library and a priceless collection of historical documents and artifacts. It also is the source for most of the historical research done in Savannah.
10. Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum and Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Claudettetravels
Nice trail w a surprise of canel locks surrounded by nature. Lock #6 is beautiful w ferns flowing from bricks. We were able to walk the board walk just as the tide was coming in. Dog friendly!
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