African-Americans of Savannah, Georgia (Claxton, Oglethorpe: lawyers, buy, high school)

[melvindiggs88]

Savannah is a majority black city, but there is not much that I know about the black residents of Savannah. I took a tour of the historic district once and learned interesting things about Savannah's history, but for a city that has a majority black population, there was not much told about the black history of Savannah, or black history after the Civil War. The only thing I did learn about was the history of the First African Baptist Church on the tour. However, there was an abundance of history on the minority white residents and their role in Savannah's history.

I want to know about the black residents of Savannah. I want to know things like their history, culture, traditions, activities, annual events, contributions to the city, and their way of life in the present times. I want to know interesting facts about black Savannahians that make them different from other southern blacks.

I just want to know anything and everything you guys could tell me about the black residents of Savannah, whether it is good or bad.

[ellie]

Are you in Savannah or are you planning to visit soon?

There are a number of historic sites that reflect the African-American history of Savannah. The Beech Institute, the WW Law Civil Rights Museum, there is an African American Heritage tour, a number of smaller historic sites, books on musical contributions in Jazz, and a few mainstream sites that do a pretty good job telling the story of African Americans in Savannah. I don't have a lot of time this week, but if you pm me, I will be happy to tell you a little more and perhaps give you more leads, so you can find out what you are interested in. If there's a delay of a few days, don't panic, I just won't have internet access.

[Joss]

"I just want to know anything and everything you guys could tell me about the black residents of Savannah, whether it is good or bad."

It is commendable that you are curious. And no disrespect intended, but this board is just a place to get general answers to common questions, from other people just like you. It's not a school.

With the detail of information wou want, you will probably need to be a lot more involved with your task than to expect you can just sit back and have someone on this board do your research and spoon feed all the answers to you.

[TakeAhike]

Perhaps you could contact Savannah State University>>>
http://www.savstate.edu/history.htm (broken link)

[melvindiggs88]

I plan on visiting hopefully sometime over the summer; I may be busy preparing for college (working and saving money). I do live in the 912 area code in the town of Claxton (55 miles west of Savannah). I do have an interest in history; history is my favorite subject in high school. I know a good amount of history about Savannah, I just do not know too much about black history. I did not know about the African American heritage tour. I will be looking that up. Thank you for the information.

[ellie]

Melvin,

In my rush to reply last week I got the name of the civil rights museum wrong. It's the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum. http://www.sip.armstrong.edu/CivilRi...ivilindex.html

W.W. Law was a well-known local activist who helped get it started.

I apologize for getting the info wrong.

[phobe1]

I too would like to know more about the history of blacks in Savannah - this should be a matter of common knowledge, not something that requires intense research, as Joss seems to imply.

[Just Plain Al]

Originally Posted by phobe1

I too would like to know more about the history of blacks in Savannah - this should be a matter of common knowledge, not something that requires intense research, as Joss seems to imply.

HUH?
I'm a white guy.
Lived a lot of places.
Now I live down heah.
I have a bunch of friends "of color".
They don't know the history of blacks in Savannah either.
They mostly came from somewhere else.
Do the "intense" research for yourself.
We're only here to give some guidance to those that are considering Savannah as their next home.
You want detailed history, buy a book.
Do you know all the history about the people where you live?
Didn't think so.

Just my 26cents worth, is all.

[Just Plain Al]

Ps:...
I am the least racist, and sexist, straight guy that you will ever meet.
I love everybody.
Until they prove me wrong.
If you need to go off on somebody...
Please find somebody else.

Just sayin', is all.

[Padgett2]

There are two distinct periods in the history....prior to the Civil War and afterwards. Are you interested in both?

A good starting point would be the original plan for Savannah as seen by General Oglethorpe. No slaves or lawyers were to be allowing in the colony. When it became obvious that the white settlers could not handle the heat, malaria and yellow fever, and the native Africans could, the ban of slaves was lifted. I have no idea what changed things so that lawyers were let in too.

Have you looked at the Census records of that time? The slaves were counted and listed separately on what was called The Slave Schedules. The main branch of the Live Oaks Library used to have this on microfilm. I am guessing that it's still available.