5/15/2022

 

Weekly Update 5/15/2022

In 1959, an art museum that featured the works of African American artists was opened in Savannah, Kiah House. It was in the home of Dr. Calvin Kiah, a professor at Savannah State College, and his wife, Virginia, a public school teacher and artist. Because at the time, Blacks were barred from visiting local art galleries and museums, Virginia Kiah opened her home for works to be displayed because she thought it was important for all people to have access to the fine arts. When she died in 2001, the gallery closed and the house fell into disrepair. It was threatened with demolition many times, but finally, twenty years later, the Historic Savannah Foundation stepped up, purchased the house, and will finance the repair work. On Monday, I went to the unveiling of a historic marker that was installed by the community to tell the story of Kiah House.

I amazed myself on Tuesday be getting up and getting downtown by 9 am on Tuesday. The staff at Davenport House had asked experienced docents to come in and brain storm about the changes that were taking place. They asked what was working with the changes involved with moving to the Kennedy Pharmacy, and what needs improvement. That was very interesting. My complaint is that I don’t have enough time to tell the same stories that I’d been telling for years because it takes longer to get into the museum itself. I anticipate that when the final renovations are complete, and the raised basement level is redone to show how it must have looked in the 1820s, there will be even more information that I will want to share. I don’t think longer tours are the answer, but I’m struggling to know which stories I can omit. I really like that we were asked for our opinions, and that we were listened to. When does that ever happen?

Thursday, instead of meeting in Green Square, Jane, Helen, Denise and I went to the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. We’ve been meaning to do that for a while, but this was the first time we’ve all been available, and the weather was nice. Established in the 1880s as a bamboo farm, it was leased to the USDA until 1979,and then was deeded to UGA, where it became part of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It is open to the public to wander about the bamboo forests, and gardens. We were a little late visiting, and most of the blooms were gone. But it was a lovely day, and it was great to walk around the beautifully landscaped area.

Thanks to all for the cards and greetings for my birthday this year. I don’t like birthdays, but I also do not like to be forgotten. I was pleased to get so many good wishes from friends and family. I even had a delightful video from Adrian, playing with a balloon while Mommy was saying Happy Birthday, Great Granny! Thank you!