THERE ARE two super Sundays in February, and the one this weekend doesn’t include any deflated balls.
The Georgia History Festival’s annual Super Museum Sunday opens the doors to historic sites all across our state. On Feb. 11, participating sites will offer free admission from noon to 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
There’s a lot to see and a short amount of time, so we’ve categorized the sites by interest to help you plan your day.
HISTORIC SITES
Andrew Low House Museum, 329 Abercorn St. and the Girl Scout First Headquarters, 330 Drayton St.
The Andrew Low House is the adult home of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. Behind the Andrew Low House sits the Girl Scout’s first headquarters, the home’s original carriage house.
Battlefield Memorial Park, 303 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
This park features a memorial to the hundreds killed in the Revolutionary War Battle of Savannah, fought for control of the city on Oct. 9, 1779.
Beach Institute African American Cultural Center, 502 E. Harris St.
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. Hours: 3 to 6 p.m.
Davenport House Museum, 324 E. State St.
The Davenport House is among the oldest brick structures in Savannah and seeks to preserve and interpret the American Federal-style home.
Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home, 207 E. Charlton St.
Explore the home of Savannah’s most beloved author, Flannery O’Connor. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.
Georgia Historical Society, 501 Whitaker St.
Explore the Society’s Research Center, which preserves over four million manuscripts and 100,000 photographs.
Georgia State Railroad Museum, 655 Louisville Rd.
This complex is the largest collection of Antebellum railroad structures in the country.
Green-Meldrim House, 14 W. Macon St.
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.
This Greek Revival home was built in 1842 and is the headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.
King-Tisdell Cottage, 514 E. Huntingdon St.
The cottage appears as a coastal black residence in the 1890s would have and celebrates black history and culture. Hours: 3 to 6 p.m.
Massie Heritage Center, 207 E. Gordon St.
Explore an interactive city plan, Native American artifacts, and the city’s history of preservation.
Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters, 124 Abercorn St.
Designed by famed architect William Jay, the Owens-Thomas House was occupied by George Welshman Owens, his family, and nine slaves. Learn about the complicated relationships between wealthy families and the slaves they owned. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.
Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St.
Tour the glitzy renovated theatre, which opened in 1921 and currently hosts a plethora of events. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, 460 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Formerly the largest bank for black people in the county, the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum now explores the history of Savannah’s civil rights movement with photographs and interactive exhibits.
Savannah History Museum, 303 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Learn about our city’s history, from the Revolutionary War to Forrest Gump and everything in between.
Webb Military Museum, 411 E. York St.
View military artifacts that span our country’s history and read stories of service.
Thunderbolt Historical Society, 2702 Mechanics Ave.
This museum preserves the history and memories of the Thunderbolt area. Note that the museum opens at 1 p.m. instead of noon.
Tybee Post Theater, 10 Van Horne Ave., Tybee Island
Situated in the Fort Screven Historic District, this theater dates to 1930 and was built as a movie house for the soldiers stationed at the fort. Hours: noon to 2 p.m.
Pin Point Heritage Museum, 9924 Pin Point Ave.
Explore Gullah Geechee culture on the banks of the Moon River.
Bonaventure Cemetery, 330 Bonaventure Rd.
The beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery spans over 100 acres and includes the grave of Johnny Mercer. Tours are at 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler
For Super Museum Sunday, the Mighty Eighth will host authors Annette Laing and Steve Snyder for a book signing. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ARTSY
Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W. York St.
The Jepson currently has a wide range of exhibitions on display. This will also be the last day to view “Kirk Varnedoe: In the Middle at the Modern.” Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.
SCAD Museum of Art, 601 Turner Blvd.
As SCAD prepares for its annual deFINE Art event, there’s an impressive roster of exhibitions at the museum. Be sure to check out “Fade to Black” by Pia Camil, the Mexico City-based artist who uses T-shirts to create a sculptural work.
Ships of the Sea Museum, 41 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
For Super Museum Sunday, Ships of the Sea will offer story time in the garden amidst “Beacons,” the lantern installation by Karen McVay Butch and Martha Enzmann, as well as living history demonstrations.
Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, 121 Barnard St.
Explore the Telfair’s permanent collections as well as “Scenic Impressions: Southern Interpretations from the Johnson Collection,” a look at the journey of Impressionism from 19th century France to the American South. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.
KID-FRIENDLY
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, 10 E. Oglethorpe Ave.
Learn the history of the Girl Scouts’ founder through activities and stories. Be sure to visit Girls Writing the World, a library created by and for girls.
Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd.
Kids of all ages are sure to have a blast at the outdoor Exploration Station.
UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium, 30 Ocean Science Circle
View 16 exhibit tanks, Georgia’s first saltwater aquarium and plenty of educational exhibits.
RELIGIOUS SITES
Congregation Mickve Israel, 20 E. Gordon St.
The third-oldest Jewish congregation in the United States, Congregation Mickve Israel was founded in 1733, just months after the City of Savannah was founded. Tour the sanctuary and visit the museum of Jewish artifacts, including the two oldest Torah scrolls in North America. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.
First African Baptist Church, 23 Montgomery St.
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: 1:30 to 4 p.m.
First Bryan Baptist Church, 575 W. Bryan St.
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.
St. John’s was founded in 1841 and uses the historic Prayer Book from 1928 for worship. Hours: 2 to 4 p.m.
OUTDOORSY
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.
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.
Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs Botanical Gardens, 1388 Eisenhower Dr.
Meander through the gardens, which include camellias, azaleas, roses and a beehive. Hours: gardens open all day, house closed
Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum and Nature Center, 681 Fort Argyle Rd.
Learn about archaeology, hike from the museum to the Ogeechee River, and watch birds. 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. The Tybee Island Museum features exhibitions about the Euchee tribe, Fort Screven’s history, and more.
Tybee Island Marine Science Center, 1509 Strand St.
Get up close and personal with all kinds of sea creatures, including diamondback terrapins, spider crabs, and a corn snake. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wormsloe Historic Site, 7601 Skidaway Rd.
The walkway to the historic site is famous for its picturesque live oaks and Spanish moss, but the site also includes costumed interpreters, nature trails, and a museum.
