Kiah House in Savannah Nominated for National Register of Historic Places

An Important Piece of Georgia’s History Recognized

The Kiah House, a significant historical landmark located in the Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood of Savannah, Georgia, has received approval for its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The building, built in 1913 and later transformed in 1959, is particularly noted for its operation as the first Black-owned museum in the city during the years 1959-1974.

The museum was a beacon of diversity, welcoming visitors from all races during a period of widespread racial segregation. Its establishment was inspired by its founder, Virginia Jackson Kiah, a nationally recognized artist who wanted to create a “museum for the masses” after her own experiences of exclusion as an African American woman during the era of Jim Crow.

Preserving a Legacy

The recognition of the Kiah House by the National Register Review Board marks a momentous occasion for a property that was left vacant and deteriorated after being tied up in probate court for over two decades following Kiah’s death in 2001. However, concerted efforts are underway to restore the property and resurrect its status as a museum and community space.

In 2021, Savannah City Council approved a partnership with the nonprofit developer, The Galvan Foundation. The agreement stipulates that the foundation will contribute $500,000 towards the acquisition and restoration of the Kiah House.

A Continued Effort

Work on the ambitious project is set to commence in the fall according to Daniel Osofsky, a representative from The Galvan Foundation. However, the archival work necessary to document the Kiah Museum’s history is ongoing, in conjunction with these restoration efforts.

Deborah Johnson-Simon, the founder of the African Diaspora Museology Institute (ADMI), and a leading activist in the campaign to restore the property, emphasized the importance of Calvin Kiah—Virginia’s husband—in the property’s history. Calvin, who served as a Dean of Education at Savannah State College, was highly involved in both the educational and civil rights activities associated with the house.

National Recognition for the Kiah House

Once listed among Georgia Trust’s 2021 ‘Places in Peril’, the Kiah House’s recent induction to the National Register of Historic Places marks a significant milestone. The Savannah City Council had declared it a local historic structure in July 2021, also approving the ADMI’s request to install a historical marker outside the building.

A special discussion on the nomination effort hosted by HSF is scheduled for May 16. Sarah Ward and Becki Harkness, from the project’s architectural firm Ward Architecture + Preservation, will delve into the complexities and significance of the nomination.

Fulfilling a Vision

Ward expressed commitment to preserving and reopening the museum as envisioned by Virginia Kiah in 1959. “This is going to be a very public building accessible to the people just like Virginia intended”, she stated.

These encouraging developments in Savannah’s historical preservation efforts serve as a reminder of the indelible contributions of African American luminaries like Virginia Jackson Kiah. The restoration of the Kiah House not only stands to diversify Savannah’s tourist offering but also, more importantly, to honor the enduring legacy of the Kiah couple and the significant strides they made in promoting racial integration at a challenging time in the nation’s history.