SAVANNAH, Ga. () — With MLK Jr. Day just around the corner, Savannah’s Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum is the perfect place to reflect on his legacy. The museum shines a light on civil rights in the Coastal Empire, and Dr. King himself.

The museum is located right on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a street that holds its own important place in Savannah’s history as one of the oldest Black communities in the city.
This museum tells the city’s civil rights story and shares its ties to King.

King visited Savannah in 1964 and called it one of the most integrated cities south of the Mason-Dixon line. As the museum gears up for its 30th anniversary next year, they’re encouraging people to come in with their families to learn more about Savannah’s past.

Museum director Vaugnette Goode-Walker is one of this year’s MLK Jr. Observance Day parade grand marshals.

“Because we celebrate Dr. King every day! We celebrate civil rights every day here at the Ralph Mark Gilbert. So, I don’t know. It must mean something because every year the parade gets bigger and bigger. And more people – I mean last year I think there was 256 units in the parade,” said Goode-Walker.

If you’re planning to visit the museum, you can explore exhibits like West Broad Street, which highlights Savannah’s historical African American business district.

• Location: 460 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Savannah, GA
• Hours: Open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Exhibits: Don’t miss West Broad Street or the tribute to NAACP heroes and sheroes.

The museum also has rotating exhibits for visitors to check out. For more information, click here.