Savannah Festivals - Cultures - Cultural Historical - Culture Historic

Eighteenth Century settlers of Georgia (the British colony founded in 1733 and named after King George II of England) were comprised of diverse citizens from England, Ireland, Scotland and Western Europe. Today the melting pot of cultures -- America’s folk cultures, inspires Savannah style and world cultures melt together in Savannah’s 200 annual heritage and cultural festivals.

Sprinkled across the Savannah Historic District, the convening international cultures form a rich, multi-colored social tapestry of brilliant diversity. Less [-]

Delve into the classical to eclectic neighborhood where Savannah’s citizens and her visitors embrace and applaud multi-cultural life. Soak up the lively generation-to-generation folklore, Americana art, storytelling, genealogical and family history preservation and research, often satisfied at the Georgia Historical Society on Whitaker Street.

Southern cuisine is a fusion of world foods. Less [-]

Southern cooking and Southern cuisine enjoy the fusion of the world’s foods, influenced in large measure from black slavery in America. The heritage of the African slaves working as house slaves, on southern plantations and farms is alive the tapestry of Savannah. Low Country and Gullah foods, such as seafood gumbo and okra gumbo, were inspired by the African cultures. On nearby Daufauski Island and on Savannah River Street, the hand-woven sweetgrass basket is a unique Gullah art form from the old African tradition. Downtown street vendors weave palm fronds into flowers and baskets.

Ending American slavery, “40 acres and a mule” was announced on Greene Square. Less [-]

One of Savannah’s picturesque squares, Greene Square is home to Second Bryan Baptist Church. After generations of black slavery in America, this church was the setting of the Union Army’s “Special Field Orders, No. 15, In the Field, Savannah, Georgia, January 16th, 1865.” That document granted African slaves “40 acres and a mule” near the close of the American Civil War. The legacy continues with the church’s motto: “Powerful People, Doing Little Things, To Make a Big Difference.”

Even Savannah gardens, like the cottage feel of the secret garden in the Railroad Roundhouse, are being recaptured and restored. Today, the tradition of world citizens arriving in Savannah to retire, visit, study, live, eat and work continues. The Savannah College of Art and Design attracts international art students from around the world.

Did you know? - The Asian symbolism of the palm in which it is a symbol of renewal. In Judaism, the date palm represents peace and plenty.

Georgia Coast’s Civil War Points of Interest: Less [-]

New Ebenezer (Effingham County)
    Effingham Museum
    Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church
    Ebenezer Creek Crossing
    Guyton
Savannah (Chatham County)
    Old Fort Jackson
    Green-Meldrim House
    King-Tinsdell Cottage
    Savannah History Museum
    Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
    Georgia Historical Society
    Battle of Shaw’s Bridge and Shaw’s Dam
    Fort Pulaski (Chatham County)
    Fort Pulaski National Monument
Tybee Island (Chatham County)
    Battery Hamilton
    Tybee Island Museum and Light Station
Richmond Hill (Bryan County)
    Fort McAllister State Historic Park
Midway (Liberty County)
    Fort Morris State Historic Site
    Midway Museum
Darien (McIntosh County)
    Pierce Butler Plantation
    Sapelo Island Lighthouse
Jekyll Island (Glynn County)
    Confederate Battery
Blackshear (Pierce County)
    Blackshear Prison Camp