The City of Savannah will celebrate W. W. Law Preservation Week the week of September 19-23. This week will recognize the accomplishments and contributions of W. W. Law in the area of historic preservation to the Savannah community and is part of the year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District.

The week’s activities, coordinated by the Research Library & Archives Department in partnership with Historic Savannah Foundation, are open to the public and will include:

Monday, September 19
“W. W. Law’s Influence on Today’s Preservation Landscape in Savannah: A Panel Discussion”
When: Monday, September 19, 2016, 6:00 p.m., reception to follow
Where: Kennedy Pharmacy, 323 East Broughton Street

This program is free and open to the public, but seating is limited; reservations must be made in advance by contacting Luciana Spracher, Director of the Library & Archives, at [email protected] or (912) 651-6411.

Hosted by Historic Savannah Foundation and the City of Savannah

Tuesday, September 20
Freedom Trail Driving Tour
When: Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 10:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 p.m.
Tour bus departs from: Savannah Visitor’s Center, 301 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard

Tour Description:
Guide Johnnie Brown will lead guests on the Freedom Trail Tour through downtown Savannah, visiting sites impacted by W. W. Law’s historic preservation leadership, including Laurel Grove South Cemetery, Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, King-Tisdell Cottage, and the Beach Institute. Learn about Savannah’s unique African American history from a local history guide trained by W. W. Law. This is a driving tour; tour guests will park and ride the Freedom Trail Tour van with the tour guide.

This program is free and open to the public, but seating is limited; reservations must be made in advance by contacting Luciana Spracher, Director of the Library & Archives, at [email protected] or (912) 651-6411.

Sponsored by the City of Savannah

Wednesday, September 21
Beach Institute Historic Neighborhood Walking Tour
When: Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Walking tour starts: in front of St. John the Baptist Church, 522 Hartridge Street; the tour ends in front of the Beach Institute on East Harris Street

Tour Description:Discover the historic origins of the Beach Institute Neighborhood and its architecture, including African Americans who owned and/or occupied houses here such as Simon Mirault, Robert Low, Mosianna Milledge, and Lucy Williams. Learn about significant community institutions and businesses, like the Beach Institute and American Missionary Society, the King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation, The Boys Club, and the Savannah & Albany Railroad. And learn how W. W. Law helped preserve this unique neighborhood. This is a walking tour; tour guests will park and meet the tour guide on the sidewalk at the gathering point to begin the tour. The tour will not end at the starting point and tour guests will need to walk back to their cars.
Guide:
Beth Reiter, a native Savannahian, has been active in Historic Preservation since 1968 as an author, lecturer, instructor, researcher, consultant and planner. Reiter retired from her position as Director of Historic Preservation Planning at the Chatham-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission in 2010. She now runs Savannah Architours, walking tours featuring Savannah’s plan, architecture and landscape. Reiter received the Leopold Adler Historic Preservation Award from the King Tisdell Cottage Foundation in 1999.

This program is free and open to the public, but space is limited; reservations must be made in advance by contacting Luciana Spracher, Director of the Library & Archives, at [email protected] or (912) 651-6411.

Sponsored by the City of Savannah

Thursday, September 22
“Law and Preservation,” Launch of New Online Exhibit
Discover W. W. Law’s preservation work through his own collections, preserved in the City’s Municipal Archives, including photographs, correspondence and awards highlighting years of hard-work, dedication and local, state, and national recognition. This new exhibit will launch on Thursday, September 22 and will be accessible at www.savannahga.gov/wwlaw.

Friday, September 23
Explore Sites Preserved Because of Law
We encourage everyone to celebrate W. W. Law Preservation Week by getting out and exploring historical sites in Savannah impacted by W. W. Law’s advocacy and historic preservation work, including:

Laurel Grove South CemeteryAddress: 2101 Kollock Street, Savannah, GA 31415
Hours: open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission: none Website

King-Tisdell Cottage MuseumAddress: 514 East Huntingdon Street
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday; 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Admission: $7.00 (cash only)
For more information: (912) 335-8868

Beach Institute African American Cultural CenterAddress: 502 East Harris Street
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday; 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Admission: $7.00
For more information: (912) 335-8868

Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights MuseumAddress: 460 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday; 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Admission: $10.00 adults; $8.00 seniors 65+; $6.00 students
For more information: (912) 777-6099

Information on these events and more can be found at www.savannahga.gov/wwlaw.