Discover the stirring history of Savannah’s Civil Rights Movement and NAACP “freedom fighters” at the recently re-opened Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, located just 5 minutes from McMillan Inn!
Savannah, GA is a wonderful destination for history buffs and our location in the downtown historic district means easy access to so much of it. Our Inn is surrounded by Savannah’s famous squares and parks. In fact, we’re just two blocks from picturesque Forsyth Park.
Savannah’s beautiful downtown is home to some of the city’s most famous, historic attractions, landmarks, and museums. This includes the recently reopened Savannah Civil Rights Museum.
The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum is named after Reverend Ralph Mark Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert was pastor of the First African Baptist Church from 1939 to 1956 and president of the Savannah NAACP from 1942 to 1948. He was also instrumental in establishing the West Broad Street YMCA, NAACP voter registration drives, and Savannah’s first black police officers.
The museum that carries his name tells the story of the civil rights movement in Savannah. It also details the “freedom fighters” of the local NAACP chapter.
Visiting the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum
The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum is located at 460 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in downtown Savannah, GA. This is less than half a mile from McMillan Inn.
Visitors to the museum can explore key civil rights struggles in Savannah via three floors of photographs, documents, paintings, and interactive exhibits. Learn about remarkable and important individuals like Ralph Mark Gilbert and Westley Wallace Law, who led the protest movement of the 1960s.
Visit the 1960s lunch counter at Levy’s Department Store where the NAACP staged famous sit-ins. View a theater that resembles an African American church sanctuary. Discover West Broad Street, Savannah’s Black Business Empire. Learn about the fight for Voting Rights led by Hosea Williams and Benjamin Van Clark.
You’ll also find lecture halls, classrooms, and an African American book collection for children.
Museum hours are 10am to 5pm, Thursday through Saturday, with the last tour starting at 3:30pm. Visit the museum website for more information. You can also find the museum on Facebook.
McMillan Inn’s convenient downtown location surrounds you with some of Savannah’s best shopping, dining, parks, museums, and other iconic attractions. Add in the elegant, Victorian charm of our accommodations and you have the makings of a perfect Savannah getaway! So go ahead, stay at McMillan Inn and make the most of your next visit to Savannah!