First African American founded museum in Savannah, the Kiah House Museum, unveils historic marker

Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

A small crowd gathered in the middle of West 36th Street on an unseasonably cold Monday morning. With its boarded-up windows, peeling paint, and sagging wood the home they gathered in front of had certainly seen better days.

Though not one of the best-looking houses in the Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood, the former Kiah House Museum is arguably one of the most important.

After years of hard work, a historical marker was unveiled to tell the story of residents Calvin and Virginia Kiah, founders of the Kiah House Museum.

The museum opened to the public in November 1959 and was the first African American founded museum in Savannah.

Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News

Richard Burkhart is a visual journalist for Savannah Morning News. Contact him at rbburkhart@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: First African American founded museum in Savannah, the Kiah House Museum, unveils historic marker

Partner Content

First African American founded museum in Savannah, the Kiah House Museum, unveils historic marker

Overbearing regulations hamper Georgia’s upstart oyster farming industry, critics say

Tybee company makes history with harvest from Georgia’s first floating oyster farm

New Savannah marathon announced for 2024. Here’s what to know about the race

Senate GOP passes budget bill Democrats describe as ‘a disaster’

State Farm Arena top 5 globally in box office — behind only Sphere, MSG in U.S.

At a store that never closes, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch