At 460 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Savannah, this three-story museum traces the city’s civil rights movement and the history of its African American community. Its exhibits combine photographs, documents, artifacts, videos and interactive displays, including a replica lunch counter and a map marking 87 significant civil rights sites and events. Named for Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert, a leader in Savannah’s movement, the museum gives you a closer look at local campaigns against segregation. Allow time to read the exhibits, and consider joining a guided tour for added context.
The building and its namesake
The museum occupies a building constructed in 1914 as the Wage Earners Savings and Loan Bank, an African American-owned bank. It stands on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, in an area that was once central to Savannah’s Black business community.
The museum is named for Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert, a pastor and civil rights leader credited with helping shape Savannah’s modern movement. He led the local NAACP for eight years. The exhibits connect his work with the wider history of African Americans in Savannah, from slavery and emancipation through segregation and the civil rights era.
What the exhibits cover
Four permanent exhibits use records, documents and artifacts to explore different parts of that history. One, “West Broad Street,” examines the African American business district that grew after the Civil War and continued into the 1960s. Photographs, films and written material document the people and organizations involved in Savannah’s pursuit of civil rights.
The displays cover segregation and the efforts of Black and white Savannahians to end it. A replica lunch counter recalls the sit-ins and the refusal of service to Black patrons. An interactive fiber-optic map marks 87 significant civil rights sites and events, giving you a way to place the movement’s history across the city.
Taking your time through the museum
The collection is spread across three floors, with photographic and interactive exhibits, archival material and documentaries. One film includes first-hand accounts. Together, the displays trace the civil rights struggle in Savannah and the longer history of the African American community that called the city home.
Guided tours add context to the material and leave room for questions about Savannah’s past. If you prefer to read each display at your own pace, plan enough time for the exhibits; there is more to take in than a quick walk-through allows. The museum also has educational programs, including lectures, workshops and special events.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum?
It is at 460 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Savannah, Georgia.
What can you see at the museum?
Exhibits cover Savannah’s civil rights movement and African American history through photographs, documents, artifacts, films and interactive displays. Highlights include a replica lunch counter and a map marking 87 significant sites and events.
Is there an admission fee?
Yes. Admission is charged, and booking tickets in advance is recommended.
Is parking available?
Yes. Free parking is available at the museum.
