The Historic Site and Monument Commission recommends approval to City Council for the installation of a historical marker on public property, within the tree lawn, for the property located at 505 West 36^th Street with the following conditions because the proposed marker otherwise meets the Master Plan and Guidelines:

1. Revise the text as described (as follows):

The Kiah House Museum

(1959-2001)

On November 28, 1959, the residence of Dr. Calvin and Virginia Kiah at 505 W. 36^th Street in Savannah GA was opened to the public as the Kiah Museum. The Kiah’s were pioneers in the black cultural and museum movement and created the first African American-founded museum in Savannah. The museum was always free to its visitors who included those from the historic Cuyler-Brownville Neighborhood as well as national and international civil rights activists and artists. national and international. It served as the youth headquarters for the National Conference of Artists and hosted the International Students Art Show, a traveling exhibition of student art from 20 US states, including Hawaii, and 12 foreign countries, including Ghana. Virginia Kiah began her museum collection in the 1930s. The collection included her own world-recognized portraits, antique furniture, the artwork of local youth and adults, fossils, animals, exotic plants, African carvings, and Native American artifacts. In 1974, the Kiah Museum was listed in Readers’ Digest Treasures of American. The museum closed to the public in 2001 upon the death of its founder, portrait artist and educator, Virginia Kiah.

Erected by the African Diaspora Museology Institute, Friends of the Kiah Museum, Savannah Archaeological Alliance and Ethos Preservation.

2. Change the marker text from “satin finish” to white or gold so as to differentiate from GHS markers.
3. Confirm with the City’s Greenscapes Department that the marker will not damage or disturb significant tree roots.
4. Confirm with the appropriate City Departments that the below ground utilities will not require removal or alteration.

File No. 21-005657-HM

Approval