History of Savannah’s Eastside

Dust Off Your Memories for the World to See
City asks citizens to lend images for planned history of Savannah’s Eastside

An interest in preserving the voices and the sights of the past have prompted the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) to put together a pictorial history of the Savannah’s Eastside.

A March 2011 release date is planned for the yet to be named coffee table book which will focus on the evolution of several Eastside neighborhoods – Twickenham, Hillcrest, Savannah Gardens, East Savannah, and Pine Gardens. The history will feature resident recollections and images right along with facts and images culled from regional and local repositories.

“Right now, there are images of ‘disappeared Savannah’ that reside in the collections Savannah’s residents,” said Michelle Hunter, project manager. “By lending their images, the public can play an important role in preserving those forgotten places, events, and times for generations to come.”

Currently, the City is seeking images of the following sites, events, or organizations:

· Area Businesses: Images of the interiors and exteriors of businesses on the Pennsylvania Avenue Corridor;

· Area Schools: Images of teachers and/or students interacting during class sessions or at school activities at Pennsylvania Avenue, Eli Whitney and Shuman Schools;

· Neighborhood Sports Activities: Images of teams at Morningside Baptist Church; sports teams; wrestling, ice skating, or roller skating at the Savannah Sports Arena; posters or advertisements from the Savannah Sports Arena; and classes or dance recitals at the Doris Martin School;

· Leisure Time Activities: Images of dances at the Savannah Gardens Administration Building; Golfing in East Savannah; church gatherings or activities; and neighborhood gatherings such as block or rent parties in Eastern Savannah;

· Area Housing Developments: Images of Moses Rogers Grove, Riverside, and Deptford Homes.

Individuals wishing to lend images or discuss the project should contact Michelle Hunter, Project Manager, at 525-3100 ext. 2847 or mhunter@savannahga.gov to set up an individual scanning appointment.

The photo credits of images that are reproduced in the publication will recognize the contribution of lending residents.

Since 2003, the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs has produced several neighborhood histories that educate and interpret Savannah’s cultural landscape. Recent efforts include the 2005 “Uncommon Knowledge” exhibition and the critically acclaimed “Low Land and the High Road” publication in 2008.

About Documentation Projects: Two to three years in length, Documentation Projects support preservation, create awareness, and give access to new “voices” in our community. To date, projects have served more than 39,000 persons. For more information on these projects, visit www.savannahneighborhoods.org.

‘Low Land and the High Road: Life and Community in the Hudson Hill, West Savannah and Woodville Neighborhoods,’ is one of the City of Savannah’s neighborhood documentation projects completed in 2008.