Georgia Historical Society

Savannah in the Civil Rights Movement

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.  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 11, 2009 for inspiration in creating these historical essays.  

Guidelines:

1. Essay contest is open to students in grades 6-12 (separate categories for middle and high school students).
2. The contest is intended to encourage historical research and expose students to the rich local resources available on this subject. Essays should be the result of student research into African-American history through books, newspaper articles, oral histories taken by the students themselves, and other primary source materials.  Please include a bibliography.  No essay should include more than two online sources.
3. Essay should be limited to 500 words.
4. Essay should be submitted without the name or school of the entrant, but accompanied by an official entry form cover sheet, available on request and at www.georgiahistory.com.
5. Essays must be received at the Georgia Historical Society, 501 Whitaker Street, Savannah, Georgia, 31401, by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.  Entries may be hand-delivered or mailed, but must be received by the deadline.  Please note that this is not a post-mark deadline.
6. Essays will be judged by a panel of qualified judges chosen by the contest sponsors.  The judges’ decisions are final.
7. The top essays in each category will be announced on Mondayy, February 2, 2009.
8. The authors of these essays will be invited to present their essays at a public reception at the Georgia Historical Society at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2009, before a panel of judges who will determine the three winning entrants.

Teachers are invited to contact Charlie Snyder at the Georgia Historical Society (651-2125 x.40) for more information.  Click here to view the printable contest brochure and entry form.