The City of Savannah and the Georgia Historical Society (GHS) will dedicate a historical marker about The Montmollin Building and Bryan School on Wednesday, April 10, at 2 p.m. 

The historical marker will sit in the public right-of-way on the northwest corner of City Market, on Barnard Street across from Ellis Square. 

Installation of the historical marker was approved by City Council on Feb. 8, 2024. The petition was brought to Council through a partnership between GHS, who serves as the Georgia Historical Marker program administrator, and the City of Savannah’s Municipal Archives. 

Mayor Van R. Johnson, II and GHS President Dr. W. Todd Groce will be joined by City Manager Joseph A. Melder, District 2 Alderman Detric Leggett, First African Baptist Church Reverend Thurmond Neill Tillman, First Bryan Baptist Church Reverend Christopher J. Pittman and City staff. The ceremony is open to the media and general public.

The Montmollin Building initially housed a slave brokerage when construction was completed in 1856. During the Civil War, it was confiscated by the U.S. Government upon the liberation of Savannah and given to the African American community. It was transformed into the Bryan Free School in 1865, one of Georgia’s first legal Black schools. 

“The transition of the Montmollin Building’s use from slave mart to free school in 1865 captures a pivotal moment in history as newly freed African Americans worked to secure their rights and freedoms by forging a path forward through education,” said Luciana Spracher, City of Savannah Municipal Archives Director. “The installation of a historical marker sharing the history of the building and the Bryan School is long overdue, and we look forward to utilizing the marker to share this important story with all our residents and visitors.”

What: Montmollin Building/Bryan School Historical Marker unveiling
When: April 10, 2 p.m. 
Where: Northwest corner of City Market