Savannah Launches New Tours Exploring Black History Sites

The city is offering guided tours of a historic cemetery and church to highlight local African American heritage.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:07am

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An extremely blurred, atmospheric photograph of an old church steeple and graveyard, with soft, hazy pools of warm amber, ochre, and sage green light, conveying a dreamlike, nostalgic mood.The new guided tours of Savannah's historic Black heritage sites aim to immerse residents in the city's rich cultural legacy.Savannah Today

The City of Savannah is launching two new guided tours that will take residents to historic sites connected to the city's Black history. The first tour, 'Stories in Stone: A Guided Tour of Laurel Grove South Cemetery,' will visit the graves of influential African American citizens and detail the city's efforts to restore and preserve the cemetery. The second tour, 'Preserving Sacred Spaces: A Tour of the Historical Nicholsonboro Baptist Church,' will explore the history of the church and the local Gullah Geechee community.

Why it matters

These new tours aim to give residents a first-hand experience of Savannah's rich Black history and cultural heritage, which has often been overlooked or underrepresented. By highlighting these important landmarks, the city hopes to foster a deeper appreciation for the contributions of African Americans to Savannah's history and identity.

The details

The 'Stories in Stone' tour will feature two sessions on April 24 and 25, each lasting two hours. The 'Preserving Sacred Spaces' tour will be offered on May 2 for 1.5 hours. Spots are limited and reservations are required for all tours. The tours will be led by city staff and local historians, who will provide detailed information about the sites and their significance.

  • The 'Stories in Stone' tours will take place on April 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and April 25 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
  • The 'Preserving Sacred Spaces' tour will be offered on May 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The players

Luciana Spracher

The City of Savannah's archives and history officer, who stated that the purpose of these events is to help residents appreciate the full scope of what makes Savannah a special place.

Kathy Thomas

The executive director of The Friends of Historical Nicholsonboro Baptist Church, Inc., who will lead the tour of the historical church.

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What they’re saying

“People question the importance of events like these. The purpose is to get out and truly appreciate all that makes Savannah a wonderful place to learn, live, grow, and raise a family.”

— Luciana Spracher, City of Savannah archives and history officer

What’s next

Interested residents can reserve a spot on the 'Stories in Stone' tours by emailing citycemeteries@savannahga.gov or calling 912-651-6843. Spots for the 'Preserving Sacred Spaces' tour can be reserved by emailing Archives@savannahga.gov.

The takeaway

These new tours represent an important step by the City of Savannah to shine a light on the often overlooked Black history and cultural heritage of the city. By providing residents with the opportunity to directly engage with these historic sites, the city hopes to foster a deeper appreciation for the vital role African Americans have played in shaping Savannah's past and present.