In honor of Black History Month, take a journey through Georgia history with our grant-funded digital tours. Made possible through a partnership with Emory’s Center for Digital Scholarship (ECDS), these self-guided experiences bring our state’s stories to life—from the fight for civil rights in Americus, to Savannah’s buried histories, to Augusta’s thriving Black business district.
Keep reading to see the full list of tours created by our grantees. Then, get out there and discover the places and people that shaped our state.
Rev. R. L. Freeman (white dress shirt) and other demonstrators in Americus, 1965.
Americus History Trails: Hold On, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
With Sumter Historic Trust’s digital tour, you can walk in the footsteps of demonstrators who marched for justice during the Americus Movement. Through sound and video, the tour invites you to experience the songs and struggle that shaped the fight for civil rights.
Created by Midway First Presbyterian Church, the Sankofa Driving Trail in east Liberty County guides you through fourteen signifcant sites of African American-Geechee history. Named for an African word meaning “Go back and fetch it,” the trail preserves memories, stories, and tradition, encouraging continued cultural preservation in the first U.S. county named for liberty.
Fireman Ferguson (left) and Fireman Gates standing in front of the Canton Fire Department.
History Cherokee’s driving tour traces the legacy of Black residents in Cherokee County’s biggest cities, Canton and Woodstock, including many sites that are no longer standing.
Buried History: Savannah’s African American Legacy, Driving Tour
Buried History: Savannah’s African American Legacy, Walking Tour
Presnted by the Savannah Archaeological Alliance, the “Buried History” tour uncovers stories of Black Savannahians and reveals a history that’s often overlooked. This tour of archeological sites is available in two digital versions: a walking tour of downtown and this driving tour that takes you beyond downtown.
Walking Tour of Cartersville’s African American Business District: 1870-1940
The Etowah Valley Historical Society’s tour of Cartersville explores the impact of African Americans on the downtown district, and was created to serve as a starting point for further research on Black history in Bartow County.
The Lenox Theater in Augusta
The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and the Greater Augusta Arts Council present the “Golden Blocks” tour, exploring the vibrant heart of Augusta’s historic Black business district.
From the Coffee County Memory Project, “Overcoming Segregation” shares unfamiliar stories of familiar places, shining a light on the county’s history of school desegregation using first-hand audio, historic photos, and more.
