Upcoming Events
MLK, Jr. Day Closing
January 19, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2009, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
Georgia Days Kickoff: Pardon My Southern Accent: The Life and Legacy of Johnny Mercer in Word, Song, and Art
February 03, 2009
In this family-friendly event, professional entertainer Jim Wann explores the life and contributions of Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer by providing biographical information interspersed with musical selections from Mercer’s extensive body of work, as well as personal reminiscences of Johnny collected from local Savannahians. A post-event reception will include a rare viewing of several of Mercer’s original watercolors, as well as a display of Mercer’s childhood art.
Georgia Days 2009 Signature Sponsor: 
Additional support provided by: 
Savannah Book Festival
February 06, 2009 - February 07, 2009
GHS is proud to partner with the Savannah Book Festival in bringing this exciting series of events to our community.
Savannah Book Festival Events Calendar Entries
Events for February 6, 2009
Savannah Book Festival Keynote Address by Roy Blount, Jr.
Free and open to the public
5:30 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church
225 W President Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Join us for the kickoff event of the second Annual Savannah Book Festival with a keynote address by southern humorist and author Roy Blount, Jr. in the sanctuary of Trinity Church. Blount will be introduced by another southern humorist and author, Julia Reed - returning this year by popular request. Free and open to the public. Festival events continue throughout the weekend. For more information, call the Savannah Book Festival office at 912-358-0575 or visit www.savannahbookfestival.org
Sponsored in part by
Savannah Morning News, Georgia Power Company, The City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs, Georgia Humanities Council, WTOC –TV, UGA Libraries and Georgia Historical Society.
Events for February 7, 2009
Savannah Book Festival
Free and open to the public
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John Berendt speaking at the 2008 Savannah Book Festival |
Beginning at 10:00 am and ending at 5:00 pm, more than 40 nationally-known authors will make hourly talks at different venues in Telfair square and the stately buildings surrounding the square. Authors from Fiction, History & Biography, Contemporary Issues, Lifestyle and Poetry genres will address audiences and sign books. The Savannah Book Festival employs a one-author/one-audience format; each author speaks informally and directly to his or her audience, with audience questions welcomed.
Following their presentations, each author will sign books in the Book Sales Tent adjacent to Telfair Square. Books by all authors participating in the Festival will be available for purchase on site, and are supplied by Follett Higher Education in cooperation with the Savannah College of Art and Design.
In addition to author presentations, family activities and performances by singer-songwriter Caroline Aiken and spoken word artists will be provided in Telfair Square. In the areas surrounding the square will be various food vendors and exhibitors, including publishing companies and literary non-profits. New for 2009 will be the Local Author Marketplace, where emerging and self-published authors may exhibit and gain exposure to audiences.
For more information, call the Savannah Book Festival office at 912-358-0575 or visit www.savannahbookfestival.org
Sponsored in part by
Savannah Morning News, Georgia Power Company, The City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs, Georgia Humanities Council, WTOC –TV, UGA Libraries and Georgia Historical Society.
For more information, please contact Amy Rhodes, 912-358-0575 or amyrhodes@savannahbookfestival.org
Colonial Faire and Muster
February 07, 2009 - February 08, 2009
Saturday (Family Day) and Sunday, February 7-8, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wormsloe State Historic Site, 7601 Skidaway Road, Savannah
Sponsored in part by: Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Georgia
In commemoration of the founding of the colony of Georgia, GHS invites you to bring your family back in time to the site of one of the earliest and most beautiful colonial-era plantations of the Georgia coast. The ruins of the plantation house, costumed interpreters, colonial-era musicians, and a host of demonstrations evoke the spirit of colonial Georgia for friends and families of all ages. Schedule of events is available upon arrival at the Faire and Muster. For more information, please call Wormsloe State Historic Site at 912.353.3023.
Free and open to the public
Georgia Days 2009 Signature Sponsor:
Additional support provided by: The Society of Colonial Wars in Georgia
For a full listing of Georgia Days events, click here.
Super Museum Sunday
February 08, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009, 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.
Savannah-area museums (Full listing of participating venues will be available January 2009)
In commemoration of the founding of the colony of Georgia, GHS invites you to explore historic sites throughout the area. Georgians and visitors alike will experience our first city's rich history and cultural life as historic house museums, art museums, and other points of interest open their doors to the public at no charge during this Georgia Historical Society's Georgia Days tradition. More than 40 cultural institutions in and around Savannah participate in this popular annual family event.
For a listing of 2008 participants, click here.
Free and open to the public
Georgia Days 2009 Signature Sponsor:
Additional support provided by: 
For a full listing of Georgia Days events, click here.
Black History Month Essay and Public Speaking Contest
February 09, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society’s annual African-American History Essay and Public Speaking Contest will focus on the theme of Savannah in the Civil Rights Movement. Students are encouraged to visit the Frederick Baldwin photography exhibit “Freedom’s March” on display at the Jepson Center for the Arts September 24, 2008 –January 4, 2009 for inspiration in creating these historical essays.
These 500-word essays should focus on either a single personality associated with the movement in Savannah, or a specific aspect of the movement such as student involvement, school integration, or the role of local churches. Finalists from the essay portion of the contest will compete in a public speaking event to be held at the Georgia Historical Society on Monday, February 9, 2009.
Detailed guidelines for this event are available here. To view information about last year's event, click here.
Georgia Days 2009 Signature Sponsor:
For a full listing of Georgia Days events, click here.
Georgia Day Dignitaries Coffee
February 12, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009, 9:00 a.m.
Georgia Day begins with a coffee for dignitaries, sponsors, and special guests. The event features greetings from dignitaries, introductions of historical characters, and a continental breakfast. The Georgia Day Dignitaries' Coffee will also feature the unveiling of new plaques honoring the creators of named endowment funds at the Georgia Historical Society. Attendees are invited to join the Georgia Day Parade, which begins at the conclusion of the Coffee just steps away from the Georgia Historical Society at the north end of Forsyth Park.
For a full listing of Georgia Days events, click here.
The Georgia Day Dignitaries Coffee is sponsored by The Savannah Bank .
GHS's 2009 Georgia Days Parade
February 12, 2009
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Thousands of elementary school students participate in the annual Georgia Day Parade |
Thursday, February 12, 2009, 10:30 a.m.
Bull Street from Forsyth Park to City Hall, Savannah
The GHS library and archives will be closed to researchers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for this event. GHS will be open for research from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Elementary school students join dignitaries, costumed characters, and local citizens in a colorful parade through the squares of Bull Street in a Georgia Day tradition. The parade begins at Forsyth Park and continues north on Bull Street, ending at City Hall with greetings from the Mayor and other dignitaries as well as Banner Competition awards presentations to the students. Thousands of elementary school children participate annually.
Free and open to the public
Georgia Days 2009 Signature Sponsor:
Additional support provided by:
Media Sponsor: 
For a full listing of Georgia Days events, click here.
Click here to view WTOC's broadcast of the 2008 Georgia Day Parade!
Georgia Days Birthday Bash and Annual Awards Gala
February 14, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Hyatt Regency, Savannah
Buy Tickets Here!
The Georgia Days Birthday Bash and Annual Awards Gala is the lavish culmination of GHS's two-week commemoration of the founding of the Colony of Georgia. Last year's gala was lauded by many for its elegant presentation, delicious dinner, and engaging and informative speaker. The 2009 celebration, "Magic in the Moonlight," will be held under the stars on the banks of the Savannah River, a romantic setting in keeping with Valentine's Day. To recognize the centennial of his birth, nationally-acclaimed lyricist, composer, singer, and Georgian Johnny Mercer will be the 2009 historic honoree and the banquet will feature his memorable music.
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Mary Matalin and James Carville |
The evening will include greetings from Governor Sonny Perdue and an insightful keynote address featuring Washington's most captivating couple - James Carville and Mary Matalin. Carville and Matalin will combine their unique experience as perennial political insiders to provide attendees with a stimulating, candid, and provocative keynote entitled "All's Fair in Love, War, and Politics". In addition, that evening GHS will recognize and honor Georgians who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of our state and nation (see below for more information). A raffle will be held for items from Tiffany's.
The Georgia Trustees
In 1732, King George II appointed the Georgia Trustees, a group of leaders with the vision and commitment to service necessary to foster the development of the young colony. Their spirited vision lives on through the actions of Georgians who through service and philanthropy have profoundly shaped our state and nation. The Georgia Historical Society has joined with the Office of the Governor to reconstitute the Georgia Trustees, each year honoring contemporary visionaries alongside the founders of the colony. Those chosen as Georgia Trustees will be inducted annually by the Governor at GHS's Georgia Days Birthday Bash and Annual Awards Gala. The first persons in the modern era to join this distinguished group are
Georgia Days 2009 Signature Sponsor: .
For a full listing of Georgia Days sponsors, click here.
For a full listing of Georgia Days events, click here.
Click image to view full sized.
Click image to view full sized.
President's Day Closing
February 16, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2009, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2009.
St. Patrick's Day Parade Closing
March 17, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices and Library and Archives will be closed on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The Administrative Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. and the Library and Archives will reopen at 10:00 a.m on Wednesday, March 18, 2009.
Memorial Day Closing
May 25, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2009, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
Independence Day Closing
July 03, 2009 - July 04, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2009, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2009.
The Library and Archives will be closed on Saturday, July 4, 2009, and will reopen at 10:00 a.m on Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
Labor Day Closing
September 07, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2009, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.
Columbus Day Closing
October 12, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2009, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.
Veteran's Day Closing
November 11, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices and Library and Archives will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. The Administrative Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. and the Library and Archives will reopen at 10:00 a.m on Thursday, November 12, 2009.
Thanksgiving Closing
November 26, 2009 - November 27, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices and Library and Archives will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26-27, 2009.
The Library and Archives will reopen at 10:00 a.m on Saturday, November 28, 2009. The Administrative Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m.
on Monday, November 30, 2009.
Holiday Closing
December 24, 2009 - December 25, 2009
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices and Library and Archives will be closed on Thursday and Friday, December 24-25, 2009.
The Library and Archives will reopen at 10:00 a.m on Saturday, December 26, 2009. The Administrative Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2009.
New Year's Day Closing
January 01, 2010
The Georgia Historical Society Administrative Offices and Library and Archives will be closed on Friday, January 1, 2010.
The Library and Archives will reopen at 10:00 a.m on
Saturday, January 2, 2010. The Administrative Offices will reopen at
8:30 a.m.
on Monday, January 4, 2010.
Tel 912-651-2125 | Fax 912-651-2831 | Toll Free 877-424-4789
Library & Archives: 912-651-2128
Hours
- Office
- Mon-Fri
8:30 am - 5 pm
- Library
- Tue-Sat
10 am - 5pm
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