The Savannah History Museum, located in the same building as Savannah’s main Visitor Information Center, is a small museum offering a self-guided introduction to aspects of the economic and cultural history of Savannah from the pre-Colonial period through to the present day. A visit will take about an hour.
The building itself, constructed in 1860, recalls an important part of Savannah’s history and growth: the railroad. The long, narrow structure was once the passenger depot of the Central of Georgia, one of the earliest railroad companies in the United States (another railroad building became the SCAD Museum of Art, a few blocks away; others survive at the Georgia State Railroad Museum, just south of the visitor center building).
See also:
– More things to do in Savannah
– River Street
– Forrest Gump in Savannah
– Savannah’s must-see sights
– More museums
– Savannah’s events by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
The Museum, though small, has over 10,000 artifacts related to the history and culture of Savannah and the Georgia coast.
Savannah’s history The topics covered by its exhibits include the cotton gin, developed by Eli Whitney on the nearby Mulberry Grove Plantation; military artifacts; local economic activities such as fishing and quilting; period women’s clothing; old carriages and steam engines, including a rare 1902 Crestmobile and a 1908 steam locomotive; Juliette Gordon Low and the history of the Girl Scouts; and the achievements of Savannah musician Johnny Mercer.
Forrest Gump bench Many visitors to Savannah who have seen the movie Forrest Gump go to Chippewa Square hoping to see the bench on which many of its scenes were filmed. In fact, the bench is not original to the square; it was a prop created specially for the movie. After production ended, a replica of the prop bench was donated to the city. It is currently displayed at the Savannah History Museum.
→ More about Forrest Gump in Savannah and the famous bench
Great Savannah Exposition mural The old railroad building which houses the Savannah History Museum and Visitors Center was in use by the railroad until 1972. After it was abandoned by the railroad, but before being redeveloped as a museum space and information center, the building briefly housed the Great Savannah Exposition of 1984, an exhibition hall not dissimilar to the current museum.
A mural shows scenes from the Exposition, depicting aspects of Savannah’s history that are now represented in the museum, including the Girl Scouts, Eli Whitney and his cotton gin, the SS Savannah and James Oglethorpe.
The Frogtown Tenements, located near the Georgia State Railroad Museum (one at 539 West Charlton Street and the other at 342 Purse Street) are two historic homes, that were once part of the former Frogtown neighborhood.
Named for the many frogs that came out whenever it rained, Frogtown was once a center of Black residence and business, adjacent to the once-bustling MLK Boulevard corridor. The neighborhood, which was also home to minority White ethnic groups such as the Irish, fell into decay in the 20th century and was eventually destroyed by a 1960s overpass project.
The Coastal Heritage Society acquired the two Frogtown properties in 2008, restoring them over the next decade or so to serve as exhibits for the Savannah History Museum. Today, the homes serve to explore the stories of communities that have been excluded from the dominant narrative of Savannah’s history.
Across the road from the History Museum is Battlefield Memorial Park. This park and memorial, located near the site of the Battle of Savannah of October 1779, commemorates that historical event and the thousands of soldiers who fought in the (unsuccessful) attempt to liberate Savannah from British occupation during the American Revolutionary War.
Please note that museum admission is not required to visit this park, though a charge may be made for special events and tours given there.
Occasional special events are given at the Savannah History Museum and at the adjacent Battlefield Memorial Park. See the official museum calendar for details of upcoming events.
The following is correct at the time of writing. Please verify details before planning your trip. For additional information call 912-651-6825 or visit the official website.
Opening hours Open daily, 9am-4pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Admission Adults $9, children (2-12) $5. A combination ticket allowing entrance to three of the Coastal Heritage Society’s five sites is also available: adults $20, children (2-12) $15. See details
Please note that some of the Coastal Heritage Society's other sites are located several miles outside of Savannah, and may be difficult to get to if you do not have a car.
Pets Service animals only. Dogs and other pets may not be brought to the Savannah History Museum.
Address 303 Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31401
The museum is located right next to the Visitors Center at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard and Louisville Road, which is just to the west of Savannah’s Historic District. See on map
Parking Parking is available at the adjacent Visitor Information Center lot. The first hour is free, with a charge of $1 per hour applying thereafter. Parking in downtown Savannah
Public transport Savannah’s fare-free dot express shuttle (which loops around the Historic District) has a stop right outside the Visitors Center on Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard, directly adjacent to the History Museum. More about Savannah’s fare-free bus service
– American Prohibition Museum
– Georgia State Railroad Museum
– King-Tisdell Cottage
– Massie Heritage Center
– National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force (Pooler, GA)
– Pin Point Heritage Museum
– Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
– Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
– Webb Military Museum
See also:
– Guided tours of Savannah
– Black history sites in Savannah
– Historic house tours
– Savannah cemeteries