Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum

Respectfully curated museum highlighting the struggles, advancements overcoming and ongoing challenges of segregation & racism throughout recent American history. Great field trip for children & adults alike.

This was a wonderful experience. The history was fascinating, and it was incredible to learn about the struggles and sacrifices our ancestors faced for education, voting, and more. It's astonishing that we still encounter challenges and reminders today. This museum exhibit was filled with rich history, and we will definitely visit again with our kids. Thank you for providing such a valuable and educational experience.

Words can't describe the emotions of visiting. We had an incredible tour guide who was amazing. She gave an amazing tour, answered all our questions. A must visit to any and everyone. I am deeply grateful and humbled by my visit. Thank you for the amazing experience, the education...

What an amazing experience. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through this museum. Ms Vaughnette took her time going through the museum with us and the history of the Civil Rights History in Savannah. A must see if you are visiting Savannah. They have a free parking lot and it is $10 to enter. They are cashless for the entry fee but you can also leave cash donations. It is worth every penny.

Very informative place and the tour guide is a gem! I would recommend

It was truly a fantastic experience for our first time visiting the museum, looking forward to going back again. We appreciate the helpful assistance when checking in and getting our tickets and thank you to our host and tour guide Vaughnette for the rich history and amazing story-telling. It was a pleasure to hear about.

This was an incredible experience. I've been to Savannah twice and had no idea about its Civil rights history. I 100% recommend going. Vaughnette is a wonderful tour guide. Mary was incredibly sweet at the front desk and made checking in very easy. I would definitely do this tour again.

This museum tour was very enlightening and put Savannah on the map for me as a major battleground for civil rights. Montgomery/Birmingham (AL) and Atlanta (GA) are the places that always come to mind as the keystone of the Civi rights movement. I had not given thought to how other cities organized against Jim Crow oppression. All of the museum staff were great. Visitors should know that the entrance is on MLK, not Alice; the parking lot is on Wayne. Signage for the museum definitely needs to be enhanced. Google maps sends pedestrians to the parking lot instead of the museum entrance. A request to update this is under review by Google.

Very informative place with alot of things to take in and the tour guide is a gem! I would recommend

I truly hate to have to leave such a negative review, but I have no choice but to forewarn others. We checked the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum's website to confirm its operating hours before heading over the next day. "We are Open Thursday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm (last tour at 3:30 pm)" We planned our day around visiting the museum from 3:30 to 5 p.m. since we weren't interested in the "tour," which, in museum terminology, is a 30-minute or longer guided tour and historical synopsis of the facility. After a $20 Uber across town, you can imagine our disappointment when we arrived at 3:37 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and discovered the lights off and the doors locked. We rang a doorbell a few times and waited for 5 or 10 minutes before giving up and walking back through the somewhat seedy neighborhood until we reached the more commercial district, which led back to our hotel downtown. What seems to have happened here is that the museum management does not acknowledge the difference between a guided "tour" and actual admittance, which is unprofessional and genuinely a disservice to the staff and (potential) patrons. The correct way to word it would be: We are closed Sun-Wed We are open Thurs-Sat Museum Operating Hours are 10 am-5 pm last tour begins at 3:30 no admittance after 3:30 That correct wording would've saved us money, time, and energy -- neither of which we take for granted. Sadly my advice for visiting this museum is don't.

Visiting the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum will support one getting to know American history as it evolved in Savannah, GA. It is a MUST go to walk-through-time to elevate your knowledge about your ancestors and yourself. Unlike many museums, at Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil l Rights Museum you will receive a guided tour, hear renditions of history that transport you back in time, and see pictures of the brave equal rights change makers of that time in history and of those who are currently in the trenches making a positive difference for all of us. If you're lucky Brittany will be your guide. If by happenstance if Ms . Vaughnette Goode-Walker, museum director is there, be sure to say hello and thank her for ensuring America's history has been accurately depicted in this museum! This is a must-go for everyone who is curious and serious about knowing the "true" American civil rights history.

Reasonable admission fee. Great family outing. Interesting history. Knowledgeable docents and staff.

Small but effective. The video in the beginning is about 20 minutes long but is optional. The displays depicting such accuracy were moving. The guide was knowledgeable and passionate. I loved it!

Well curated museum with thoughtful treatment of the fight for civil rights in Savannah and nationally. We arrived as staff members were leaving and they reopened to give us a tour. Highly recommended.

I've been to several civil rights museums in a lot of cities. This museum is the history of the civil rights in Savannah. It has 2 floors with quite a few class rooms with some history info on the walls. Check in was easy, the fee was $10pp. A history tour is included if wanted, I declined due to my time limits. I was only there for approx 45min. I thought it was a nice museum for school trips to get the basic knowledge of Savannah civil rights history. If you have any knowledge of the civil rights history in the south, this may be repeat information for you. Maybe if I would have taken the tour I would have learned something new. They do have a huge free parking lot, which is rare in Savannah.

I have always wondered about the civil rights history of Savannah. It is strangely absent and overshadowed by the charm of the city. Seek no further as this former renovated bank has been transformed, with the help of SCAD, to fill in the gap. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures of the interior so you have to rely on reviews. You enter into a dramatic courtroom scene to give you an overview of the integration process in Chatham county. The museum focuses on local history and has several floors. Not too big as to inundate you. The second floor has a small theatre room to view a film. No visit would be complete without visiting the museum's namesake church Downtown. Check out my other review.

Visiting the Civil Rights Museum was the absolute highlight of our trip. the content displayed was incredibly comprehensive, concise and so well-explained. The people working there were also very kind and welcoming and explained a ton of stuff to us, which made the visit even better. The museum as a whole offers a vital and imperative look at the history of slavery in Georgia as well as the invaluable contributions made by the African-American community. this is an absolute must-visit museum in Savannah.

This museum named after Dr. Ralph Mark Gilbert, the father of Savannah's Civil Rights movement, chronicles the trials and tribulations of the oldest African American community in Georgia. There are 3 stories of photos, interactive exhibits, and films depicting a timeline of Civil Rights history beginning in 1865. Unfortunately there are no photos allowed while inside, but it is worth your time to go see it for yourself.

This is a great little museum. I really appreciated the docent who showed us around today (11/3) and especially that she offered her own local experiences (as well as those of her family). This museum gives you a good sense of place, something that is missing in much of the more touristy pieces of the city. To enjoy Savannah (as you should) without also taking time to recognize the struggles that many past and current residents had to endure is a major miss from my perspective. Savannah has some incredibly powerful stories that I was glad to have shared with me today. Would 100% recommend this museum to anyone visiting the city.

I had a fantastic experience at this museum. Jasmine was a wonderful and extremely knowledgeable guide. Thank you!!

Unassuming on the outside. Inside is filled with history of the civil rights movement in Savannah. Very interesting and rich in history albeit modest in scope. Worth the price of admission, which was inexpensive.

Needs some more tlc. I will be back once there are more items and a better program is made for this museum. It deserves more love from the founder as well as the community.

This was one of the best museums I've ever visited. Will be recommending this to anyone I know who plans to visit Savannah

I discovered this museum as I was walking through the city. It has an unassuming front and is located on the outskirts of the historic district. I only got to see the gift shop as I arrived 20 minutes before they were due to close. They seemed to explore the history of the civil rights movement in the south through art and a movie. Would have liked to return but they were not open any other day that I was in the city.

This museum was amazing! There were so many different sections to look at, and so much information to absorb. I love how the museum was interactive and so informative. Hearing the history of the building and having a tour guide who knew exactly what she was talking about and lived during that time was very helpful!

The lady who was providing the tour was very knowledgeable and open to questions. I found the displays and pictures to the point, not sugar coating anything. The courage, strength and determination of those who stood up for what is right should never be forgotten. I am glad I came.

Excellent. A must do. This is on a par with preeminent civil rights museums we visited last week in Birmingham and Montgomery.

Very interesting museum that tells the story of the civil rights movement that happened in Savannah, Georgia. Your tour price includes watching a short film detailing life for Blacks in Savannah during the civil rights movement in what appears to be a mock version of the churches people used to gather in to set up protests and talk about their next move to gain equal rights in the town that they contributed so much to and loved. It's a two story museum and not a lot of people go to it, it's small, but it has a lot of interesting displays like a mock lunch counter where students would go and do sit-ins , a Ku Klux Klan uniform, photos and history of the first Black leaders in Savannah. Each area gave detailed accounts of the role Savannah played in the civil rights movement and what it was like to live in what was supposed to be a separate but equal environment which in actuality was only separate and very unequal. Savannah has a very rich history and this museum fairly depicted a piece of it. I would recommend stopping by here if you are a tourist. It won't take much time out of your day and it's got a lot of interesting things in it and the fee for entry is low.

I didn't know much about the Civil Rights history in Savannah. I'm glad I went here because I learned a lot. When we arrived, the tour had just started. A tour guide was telling a group of about 20 others about some of the exhibits. He was a compelling story-teller and friendly. He was good at describing scenarios and getting the audience to think about themselves in the situations that black people had been in during that time. Some exhibits are better than others, but it's a very small museum run by a few people. The people there are kind and personable, and we had some good conversations with them. The building the museum is in used to be a bank. There is a door that was the main entrance of the bank, and it seems intuitive to use that door. But there is a sign in the door that says the entrance to the museum is to the left. To the left of *that* door is a parking lot, which is very convenient.

Well worth the reasonable admission price ($10 for an adult) to learn so much about how Savannah was insteumental in showing the way for the civil rights movement. Well worth the time - we spent about 1 1/2 hours after an excellent lunch lunch nearby at the Buccaneer Club of Savannah.

Great museum. Very informative and educational. We brought our three kids and we were welcomed with open arms.

Wow! Such an eye opening experience. I was pleasantly surprised to learn how Savannah played such a critical role in the civil right movement. The tour was amazing and sad. Knowing that these same inequalities exist today and that we gave up so much is hurtful. Very informative. Very affordable and well worth the time!!!

Thoroughly enjoyed myself here! Was visiting Savannah for a family celebration and this was highly recommended. The museum was able to accommodate all of us (it was about 30 people in my party) and our tour guide was a beacon of knowledge. He was very energetic and passionate about the museum. I consider myself to be a history buff so this was amazing for me. All the employees really treated us like family. This was definitely a highlight of my trip!

Wouldn't have known about this museum if it weren't for our black history tour with Johnnie! Loved the museum and learned a great deal while we were there. Definitely recommend and will be back!

When we arrived on a weekday afternoon, we were the only people in the museum. The gentleman at the front desk was really friendly and quite knowledgeable. He graciously oriented us to the museum and kindly led us to the theater on the second floor and started the history film just for us. Said film was the highlight of the visit, actually, because it really detailed Savannah's role in the civil rights movement. I learned a lot from the film, which I am thankful for. I was especially impressed at just how organized the African American community was in Savannah in coordinating their boycotts and sit-ins. The duration and the scope make the effort seem especially daunting. Undaunted, these efforts were quite successful. These remarkable grass roots initiatives in Savannah helped the city considerably in its early reform! The remainder of the museum included a lot of uncomfortable reminders of a bygone era that I wish were further away in time: a Ku Klux Klan uniform, a life-size diorama of a lunch counter sit-in completed with a billy club wielding police officer, etc. There are not many exhibits in all, but they each take a little bit of time to process since they are often emotionally charged. I am glad this museum exists, I just wish more people would take the time to visit it, because it is kind of an important place.

A must if you come to visit Savannah and if you are interested in history! I was so painfully aware of how that period of history has hurt so many nice people both physically and mentally. And I'm so glad that now America is such a great country of freedom and democracy and everybody realizes now that no matter where you are from, you deserve equal respect! The museum is amazing and lots of history. Well-displayed pictures and a movie available on the second floor. The staff is so sweet and chatted us a bit and gave us a wonderful tour!

What an amazing museum! It details the Civil Rights movement in Savannah. We learned so much! The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this museum.

Lots of unknown Savannah history located in this museum. Small museum but lots of good information.

This is a "must see" while you're in Savannah. The non-profit museum is completely focused on the local civil rights history. It's pretty small, but includes such detailed information supported by photographs and audio-visual documentation. Take a guided tour so you don't miss out on any of it and consider making a small donation besides the cost of admission. Stairs are very steep, but there is an elevator.

Pleased to have been introduced to the museum through a local resident as would not have known of it's existence with only one day in town. Good exhibits, video and many displays to bring to life, the history of the civil rights struggles and achievements in Savannah.

Such a rich history and wonderfully displayed. I'm glad I came. Highly recommended! Take your time and read through the exhibits. Reflecting on what was not too long ago the law of the land gives me such pride for the people who took the risks and joined in the movements that made Savannah more habitable for all of its residents. This museum captures history that should be required for all Americans. Mr. Brown is right, financial literacy is the next frontier.

Small museum but very well done. Poignant, tasteful, powerful. Desk clerk was pleasant and accommodating. Provided a lot of history -- I was previously (painfully) unaware Savannah had the role in did in the Civil Rights Movement.

Definitely worth the visit. Good set up and plenty to learn. It will only get better as they continue to add to the exhibits. Also, the staff is great and made he visit that much better. Check it out and support the local museum.

At great way to experience Savannah's history from the black prospective.

A little gem that houses some incredible pictures and other historical items related to the Civil Rights Movement.

Went to visit on July 4th. Everything in the Historic District was open. Disappointed that I called first (phone announcement states they are open everyday from 10 to 5 pm and Facebook page stated that they were open). When I arrived, the door also stated it was open 10-5pm for Tuesday. Lights were on in the building but the doors were locked. I rang the doorbell a few times with no response. A couple came out and I went in. A woman told me she was closing at 1pm and her explanation was that it's a holiday. I offered the suggestion to change their phone announcement and indicate on areas where they advertise about changes in operating hours. I hope they will do better as I could have saved myself a walk and spent money elsewhere.

We were really interested in visiting the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum but it turned out to not actually be as interesting. Although the museum had some fascinating exhibits, it was so poorly run that it felt like more of a waste of time and money than anything else. The gentleman at the front wasn't very friendly when we walked in, they were disorganized and initially provided no information including brochures (because they had run out and offered no alternative), and frankly what you get out of the museum, the fee doesn't reflect. In my opinion, the way the museum was setup I thought it should have been donation only.

Terrible. Dusty. Overpriced. Quite limited in scope. And most of the exhibits with recorded commentary were broken. The Levy Dept store is implied to be the only establishment that pushed blacks away. What they fail to mention is the large number of Levy workers who were particularly kind. I know their stories but sadly most never will. That wouldn't make a good story or effectively push the agenda. Save your time and money. I wish we did.

Whatever experience you May have had at the museum , i entreat you to come back. there is a completely new staff that will give you the service you deserve as reviewed on Trip Advisor. I offer my sincere apologies to all offended and hope we can mend all wounds.The history of this museum is one that all of us should be aware of.

This museum is well done. Interactive exhibits as well as some things to read. We loved sitting in the Church to view the historic footage of the non-violent Civil Rights' protests staged in Savannah. A real education for this Canadian.