Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, Savannah

Savannah played an important role in Georgia’s civil rights movement, and this museum preserves the stories of those who helped bring change to the city. It is named after Reverend Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert, who served as pastor of the First African Baptist Church and was one of the leading figures in Georgia’s civil rights history.

In 1942, Gilbert reorganized the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP. Through voter-registration campaigns and other initiatives, he became such an influential figure that he ultimately earned himself recognition as the father of Savannah’s modern civil rights movement.

The building itself dates from 1914. It originally housed the Wage Earners Savings and Loan Bank, once the largest financial institution serving African Americans in Chatham County. During segregation, when Black residents often faced discrimination from established banks, institutions like this one provided essential financial services. The building later became the headquarters of Savannah’s NAACP branch.

Once inside, begin with the ground-floor exhibits. Look for the reconstruction of the Azalea Room at Levy’s Department Store, designed like a mid-20th-century lunch counter with stools, a curved counter, menus, and life-sized figures. The display recalls the sit-in protests held at segregated businesses across downtown Savannah. At Levy’s, three protesters were arrested during the demonstrations that began in March 1960.

As you continue through the museum’s three floors, examine the photographs, documents, segregation-era objects, multimedia presentations, and interactive displays. You will also encounter exhibits explaining how the NAACP and Savannah’s Black churches worked together, along with a fiber-optic map identifying 87 important civil rights sites and events. On the mezzanine, the church-style theater presents first-hand accounts from people involved in the local movement.

Tip: Consider joining a guided tour. The exhibits contain a great deal of information, and a guide can provide valuable context and help you understand the exhibits more quickly than exploring entirely on your own.