Super Museum Sunday!

Updated February 5, 2020 at 2:13 p.m.

Sure, the Chiefs may have won the Super Bowl, but there’s another super Sunday this month that all of us can enjoy.

Super Museum Sunday is a beloved annual event across the state. Hosted by the Georgia Historical Society, it allows participants to enter historic and cultural sites for free. It’s a really great opportunity to visit some of Savannah’s most special places without having to pay the entry fee.

But, we’ve got good news and bad news. There are so many sites participating this year, but there’s only a day to do it! We’ve grouped the participating sites into categories—museums and historic sites, historic homes, artsy, religious, and outdoorsy—to help you streamline your interests and make a cohesive plan for the day.

Museums and Historic Sites

American Prohibition Museum, 209 W. Julian St. (1)

It is the 20s again, after all. Learn more about the temperance movement and rum runners at America’s only prohibition museum. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Beach Institute African American Cultural Center, 502 E. Harris St. (3)

Founded by W.W. Law, civil rights leader and the president of Savannah’s chapter of the NAACP, the Beach Institute celebrates African-American art and history.

Bloomingdale History Museum and Visitors Center, 205 E. Hwy. 80, Bloomingdale

Bloomingdale boasts a rich railroad history, and it’s worth the drive for railroad lovers.

Davenport House Museum, 324 E. State St. (5)

The Davenport House is among the oldest brick structures in Savannah and seeks to preserve and interpret the American Federal-style home.

Girl Scout First Headquarters Museum and Program Center, 330 Drayton St. (10)

Learn more about the Girl Scouts at their first headquarters, which was formerly the carriage house of the Andrew Low House.

Massie Heritage Center, 207 E. Gordon St. (14)

Part of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Massie has informative exhibits that are fun for all ages.

National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler

Learn more about the brave men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to present. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, 460 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (16)

Named after Savannah’s leader of the NAACP, the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum takes a look at what the civil rights struggle was like African-Americans in Georgia.

Savannah African Art Museum, 201 E. 37th St.

Art and history collide at this museum, which examines every culture in the African diaspora.

Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd. (18)

Sure, it’s for the kids, but even adults will have fun at the Children’s Museum, whether watching the play or joining in.

Savannah History Museum and Battlefield Memorial Park, 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (19)

Learn about our city’s history, from the Revolutionary War to Forrest Gump and everything in between. Then get some fresh air at Battlefield Park outside.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, 41 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. (21)

While you’re admiring the nautical history in Ships of the Sea, take some time to visit “My Still and Quiet Voices,” an abstract photography exhibition by Stephen Morton.

Thunderbolt Museum, 2702 Mechanics Ave.

This museum preserves the history and memories of the Thunderbolt area. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.

Webb Military Museum, 411 E. York St. (25)

View military artifacts that span our country’s history and read stories of service.

Historic Homes

Andrew Low House Museum, 330 Drayton St. (2)

The adult home of Juliette Gordon Low, the Andrew Low House was built in 1818 and is a stellar example of the Early Republic architectural style.

Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home, 207 E. Charlton St. (8)

Learn more about Savannah’s favorite literary daughter and what her early life looked and felt like. Hours: 1 to 4 p. m.

Green-Meldrim House, 14 W. Macon St. (11)

General William Tecumseh Sherman stayed at this home on his March to the Sea, and it was here that he sent his telegram to President Lincoln offering him the city of Savannah as a Christmas present. Hours: 2 to 4 p.m.

Harper Fowlkes House, 230 Barnard St. (12)

This Greek Revival home was built in 1842 and is the headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati, and it was also recently acquired by the Coastal Heritage Society.

King-Tisdell Cottage, 514 E. Huntingdon St. (13)

Stepping into this cottage takes you back to the 1890s, as it looks exactly as a coastal black residence would have at the turn of the 20th century.

Mother Mathilda Beasley Cottage, 500 E. Broad St. (15)

Learn more about Mother Mathilda, who was Georgia’ first black nun and taught black children in her home when it was still illegal.

Telfair Museums’ Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters, 124 Abercorn St. (23)

The Owens-Thomas House is a historic home designed by William Jay, but its story would be incomplete without those of the slaves who helped contribute to its upkeep. The home presents both stories with clarity.

Artsy

SCAD Museum of Art, 601 Turner Blvd. (20)

SCAD’s big event each year, deFINE Art, happens just days after Super Museum Sunday, but some of the exhibitions will already be on view. Take advantage of your chance to see cutting-edge art for free.

SCADstory, 342 Bull St.

In honor of the university’s 40th anniversary, this immersive tour takes you through the history of a dream come true. Hours: noon to 4:30 p.m .

Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center, 207 W. York St. (22)

The Jepson’s current offerings are wide in scope and include paintings from Savannah artist William Kwamena-Poh, the Robotic Voice Activated Word Kicking Machine by Neil Mendoza, and a group show of contemporary artists inspired by the novel Moby Dick.

Telfair Museums’ Telfair Academy, 121 Barnard St. (24)

See breathtaking works of art in the luxe home of Mary Telfair, built by William Jay in 1818.

Outdoorsy

Bonaventure Historical Society, 330 Bonaventure Rd.

The beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery spans over 100 acres and includes the grave of Johnny Mercer. Hours: 10 a.m to 4 p.m., tours are at 2 and 2:30 p.m.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, 2 Canebrake Rd.

The sprawling property has 19 gardens with a wide variety of different plants and flowers. Hours: noon to 5 p.m.

Fort Pulaski National Monument, US Hwy 80 E

This Civil War-era fortification has two powder magazines and a moat and is constructed from “Savannah Gray” brick. Hours: 9 a.m – 5 p.m.

Georgia State Railroad Museum, 655 Louisville Rd. (9)

Home of the largest collection of Antebellum railroad structures in the country, the Georgia State Railroad Museum is a fun place to be outside and exploring the trains. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Rd.

This wildlife refuge is home to many different animals, including wolves, birds of prey and bison. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Old Fort Jackson, 1 Fort Jackson Rd.

Experience a cannon firing, interactive programs, and more at the oldest standing brick fortification in Georgia.

Pin Point Heritage Museum, 9924 Pin Point Ave.

Learn more about Gullah-Geechee history and culture at this fun outdoor spot.

Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum and Nature Center, 681 Fort Argyle Rd.

From bird watching to hiking, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this museum and nature center. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, 30 Meddin Dr.

Georgia’s oldest lighthouse, the Tybee Light Station retains its original three light keeper’s cottages. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium, 30 Ocean Science Circle

Learn about coastal Georgia’s marine environment and see the animals that populate our coast. Perfect for kids or anyone who’s interested in the ocean.

Wormsloe Historic Site, 7601 Skidaway Rd.

Take a walk under the famous tree canopy—complete with Spanish moss—and watch the Colonial Faire and Muster, complete with costumed interpreters. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Colonial Faire 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Religious Sites

Congregation Mickve Israel, 20 E. Gordon St. (4)

The third-oldest Jewish congregation in the United States, Congregation Mickve Israel was founded in 1733, just months after Savannah was founded. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.

First African Baptist Church, 23 Montgomery St. (6)

Founded in 1773 by Rev. George Leile, this church is older than the United States itself and still retains much of its original architecture. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.

First Bryan Baptist Church, 575 W. Bryan St. (7)

This church is a monument to Rev. Leile, the first black Baptist missionary. Hours: 2 to 4 p.m.

St. John’s Church, 1 W. Macon St. (17)

St. John’s was founded in 1841 and continues to dazzle, centuries later. Hours: 2 to 4 p.m.

cs
hours for super museum sunday are noon-4 p.m. unless otherwise noted above.

Published February 5, 2020 at 1:00 a.m.

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