The U.S. state of Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi River. It is famous for many things to include its state capital, Atlanta, and it is home to the ‘Masters’ golf tournament in Augusta. Another treasured city in the state is Savannah. Located a short distance inland from the Atlantic Ocean, it is a major port city with much history that includes the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. The downtown area includes glorious town squares with spectacular fountains. A visit to the Savannah History Museum tells the story of a city that has so much. When you visit the city of Savannah, Georgia, you must make a visit to the Savannah History Museum.
Some of you are saying, “That is amazing. I have driven down Interstate 95 many times while on my way to Florida passing by Savannah. I have heard about the great architecture of the city. However, there is a big problem. It is called the Savannah History Museum. It is not a railroad museum. Therefore, I am not making a history of visiting this museum.”
So, that is your reason to not visiting this museum. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a Savannah history lesson.
As mentioned, Savannah is a major port city. Two forts, Fort Jackson and Fort Pulaski, were built to protect the city. The city is home to the birth home of Juliette Gordon Lowe, the founder of the Girls Scouts of America. The city of full of great architecture and great town squares and their fountains. What most people do not know is that Savannah is a big railroad city. It is the home of the Georgia State Railroad Museum.
What about the Savannah History Museum? Well, the museum itself is part of railroad history.
What is the first thing you will see when you arrive at the Savannah History Museum? Well, you will immediately discover… that it is located inside the Savannah Visitor Center.
Some of you are saying, “Well that is no big deal. There is nothing special about that.”
Oh yes it is. The Savannah Visitor Center is located in the old train station. Yes, it is inside the old passenger train terminal that was built by the Central of Georgia Railway. When passenger service ceased in 1971, it was eventually converted into the visitor center it is now.
Some of you are saying, “Well, that is all.”
Nope. We now enter the Savannah History Museum.
The story begins with the Indian tribes that once occupied the land to the colonial era and the American Revolutionary War to the present day, and the bench used in the famous movie ‘Forrest Gump’ which featured Tom Hanks is on display here. (Sadly, you cannot sit on the bench.) One of the main centerpieces of the museum is the Central of Georgia Railway Locomotive Number 403. Yes, a steam locomotive is a centerpiece of the museum. Other features include railroad lanterns and a model train from the Central Railroad of New Jersey on display.
Now you have a reason to visit the Savannah History Museum. When you drive along Interstate 95, it is truly worth a detour.
The Savannah History Museum is located inside the Savannah Visitor Center, which is located at 303 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard just blocks from Interstate 16 and U.S. Route 17. Parking is on the north side of the visitor center. It is owned and operated by the Coastal Heritage Society. It is open seven days a week from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Admission is $10.00 from adults. The museum is wheelchair accessible. You can get more information at https://chsgeorgia.org/SHM. No more excuses. Savannah, Georgia is a town full of railroad history. The Savannah History Museum is a history museum with the history of the railroad.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 