Historic Savannah Foundation’s lecture series, “People, Places and Stories that Define Savannah,”  will feature lectures covering a wide range of speakers and topics. Each lecturer will give a presentation on a subject that falls within the realm of their expertise followed by a question-and-answer session.

Georgia Benton, David S. Hamburger, Ellie Isaacs, Shana Williams

Yamacraw Village: History, Community, and Continuity

June 18 | 6:00 PM

This event is FREE and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged so make sure you reserve your spot by clicking the button below.

Join HSF for a special panel discussion, “Yamacraw Village: History, Community, and Continuity” on Thursday, June 18 at First Bryan Baptist Church. Panelists will include David Sunshine Hamburger of Georgia Legal Services, Shana Williams from the Yamacraw Residents Council, Ellie Isaacs of Landmark Preservation Consulting, LLC., and Georgia Benton, Historian for First Bryan Baptist Church. The panel will be moderated by Collier Neeley, HSF’s CEO & President.

This panel will examine the rich history of the Yamacraw community, from its 18th-, 19th-, and early 20th-century roots to the demolition of the multicultural neighborhood in 1939 and its development into a segregated public housing complex in 1941.

Yamacraw Village holds deep historical importance for Savannah, reflecting national trends in urban planning and public housing, as well as their impact on underrepresented communities. As the oldest federally funded housing project remaining in Savannah, and one of the earliest remaining in the United States, it’s current planned demolition and redevelopment raises urgent questions about how public housing communities are preserved.

The discussion will also highlight First Bryan Baptist Church, established in 1788 by Andew Bryan while he was enslaved at Brampton Planation. Recognized as one of the oldest Black Baptist Churches in the United States, First Bryan serves as the spiritual and community anchor in Yamacraw. Its enduring connection to the neighborhood is essential to understanding the history of Yamacraw. This panel will examine the importance of preserving history, a sense of place, faith, and community.

This panel is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged; pre-registration is available by clicking the button above. The discussion will take place in the Sanctuary at First Bryan Baptist Church located at 575 W. Bryan Street. Doors open 5:30 pm and the panel discussion will start at 6:00 pm

DON’T MISS OUR UPCOMING LECTURES & TOURS!

Mark your calendar and we hope to see you there!

Attendees are invited to a wine reception preceding the lecture to meet & mingle with HSF members and staff. The discussion will follow.

We take a ‘lecture break’ in July and December.