The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nonprofit officially owns Kiah House Museum
Deborah Johnson-Simon couldn’t contain herself: “I feel like I could just do a happy dance.”
After a 20-year vacancy, the Historic Savannah Foundation has closed on the Kiah House Museum.
From the outside looking in, you wouldn’t be able to tell that the deteriorating museum at 505 W. 36th St. was once the home of celebrated portrait artist, curator, public school teacher and activist Virginia Jackson Kiah and her husband Dr. Calvin Kiah, former dean of education at Savannah State College.
The museum that once welcomed visitors and artists from all races for free — including notable civil rights activists like Rosa Parks — shut its doors in 2001 after Kiah’s death. Since then, it has been embroiled in a long probate process and was named a 2021 Place in Peril by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.
But HSF recently announced it had officially closed on the property and assumed ownership, ending the uncertain fate of one of the first Black-founded museums in Savannah.
“It’s quite significant to know that this property, this house, will be saved,” said Sue Adler, president/CEO of HSF. “We actually put an easement on the building, which means it is protected for the life of the building . ... It’s a great moment for the community because we’re saving a very significant building that has a major story.”
Johnson-Simon, a professor at Savannah State University, has been an integral part of the community effort to save the museum. On behalf of the African Diaspora Museology Institute, Johnson-Simon launched a GoFundMe campaign to save the Kiah House Museum, raising over $12,000.
A historic marker installed at the site of the Kiah House Museum will be dedicated Monday at 10 a.m. with a reception following the event. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, former Savannah Mayors Edna Johnson, Otis Johnson and other dignitaries will make remarks.
Those who are interested in paying their respects to the Kiahs are invited to a memorial service at Asbury United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
The marker dedication is yet another significant step in the fight for the Kiah House Museum. “I’m just so grateful that this house, this legacy, couldn’t wait another 20 years for something to happen,” Johnson-Simon said.
“This fight for a marker was not an easy fight. We were turned down and had we not gone to the city, we could have risked not being able to apply for a marker again.
“We did as many things as we could do the right way and try to continue to do small things because that’s what grassroots is about. That’s what grassroots folks do. They see something and then they know that it’s up to those of us who can to just roll up our sleeves and see how we can change a situation.”
HSF has not yet made a decision on how the Kiah House will be utilized, but Alder said engaging the community in the decision-making process is a priority.
“The first thing we’ll do is just secure the property. And then we’re going to start to have very serious conversations and we’re going to look for community input as well about what’s the best use for the houses.”