The Kiah House project will revitalize the home of Virginia Kiah, who retrofitted it in 1959 in order to establish the first African American founded museum in Savannah. Kiah House sits on the corner of MLK Blvd and W 36th Street in the historic Cuyler-Brownville community. In addition to being a museum, Virginia’s home was a beloved place for children in the community to receive art education.
The Kiah House project will revitalize the home of Virginia Kiah, who retrofitted it in 1959 in order to establish the first African American founded museum in Savannah
Following Virginia’s death in 2001, the home sat in probate for 20 years. Historic Savannah Foundation was able to purchase the home in April 2022, and in 2023 The Galvan Foundation (now Civis Foundation) acquired the property.
In partnership with the City of Savannah, the project presents an opportunity to restore a historic building with significant social and cultural history and reintroduce it as both a museum and community arts space.
