In honor of Black History Month, Historic Savannah Foundation will host a special presentation by scholar, museum expert and anthropologist Dr. Deborah Johnson-Simon, discussing “The Legacy of Virginia Kiah and the Kiah House Museum” as part of the 2024 Historic Savannah Foundation Lecture Series, “People, Places and Stories That Define Savannah.” Johnson-Simon will speak on Thursday, Feb. 15 at Historic Savannah Foundation’s headquarters, located at 321 E. York St. Attendees are invited to attend a wine reception at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will start at 6 p.m.
Johnson-Simon’s presentation will explore artist and civil rights activist Virginia Jackson Kiah’s important work in creating a space for Black artists in Savannah during segregation as well as her lasting impact in the community. Additionally, she will address the significance of the Kiah House Museum, which -- after sitting vacant for years following Kiah’s death -- was acquired by Historic Savannah Foundation as a Revolving Fund property and is now being restored by its new owners to become a museum and community space once again.
Johnson-Simon is a museum anthropologist and the founder and CEO of the African Diaspora Museology Institute INC. (ADMI), a research lab that is dedicated to scholarly investigation of Black cultural institutions. This accomplished scholar has worked for more than 20 years on museum and cultural heritage projects in the United States, Canada, Africa and Central America.
The author of several books and co-editor of the Second Generation of African American Pioneers in Anthropology, Johnson-Simon is currently documenting the life and work of artist and museum founder Virginia Jackson Kiah. She earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Florida, an M.A. in Anthropology/Museum Studies from Arizona State University and a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology from Rollins College. She currently serves as a Scholar in Residence at Savannah State University’s Asa H. Gordon Library, Archives and Art Gallery, where she is developing the Black Museology and Anthropology Archives.
Additional speakers in Historic Savannah Foundation’s 2024 Lecture Series include Rachel Barnett, Lyssa Harvey and Rabbi Robert Haas discussing “Kugels and Collards: Jewish Foodways in the Lowcountry South” on April 18 as well as a special Women in Construction Discussion Panel on March 21. In honor of Preservation Month, Becki Harkness and Sarah Ward of Ward Architecture in Savannah will discuss “Nominating the Kiah House for the National Register of Historic Places.” For more information, please visit myhsf.org.
Historic Savannah Foundation’s 2024 Lecture Series is open to the public. Reservations are recommended, as space is limited. Attendance is free for Historic Savannah Foundation members and $15 for non-members. Members and non-members may RSVP by emailing Kendall Graham at [email protected] or calling 912-233-7787, ext. 109.
ABOUT HISTORIC SAVANNAH FOUNDATION:
Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF), a leading nonprofit cultural institution, saves the buildings, places and stories that define Savannah’s past, present and future. Founded in 1955 when seven brave women banded together to save the Isaiah Davenport House, Historic Savannah Foundation spearheaded the preservation movement in Savannah. The organization continues to preserve and operate The Davenport House Museum, sharing its important story with the community, and operates a Revolving Fund to save endangered historic properties, now totaling over 400 buildings throughout several of Savannah’s historic districts. HSF continues to lead preservation efforts throughout the Savannah community. More info: myhsf.org.
