Beach Institute African American Cultural Center

For over 150 years, the King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation has been dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in Savannah, Georgia. Our mission is to research, collect, interpret, and present the history and culture of African Americans through various exhibits, art, films, lectures, oral history, tours, and publications.

Our History

The King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation was founded in 1867 by Wesley Wallace Law, a renowned preservationist, visionary, and community activist. Law was a crusader for justice and the civil rights of African Americans, and he dedicated his life to preserving the history and culture of African Americans. He established the King-Tisdell Cottage and the Beach Institute, which have become two of the most important cultural institutions in Savannah.

The Beach Institute African American Cultural Center

Located at 502 E Harris Street, the Beach Institute is Savannah's flagship museum for African-American arts, history, and cultural preservation. The museum was founded in 1865 by the Colored Education Committee at the dawn of the Reconstruction Era. Built by Free and formerly Enslaved Negroes, the Institute was completed in 1867 with a generous contribution by philanthropist and inventor Alfred Ely Beach of New York. Today, the Beach Institute is home to exhibits, lectures, and events that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of African Americans in Savannah.

The King-Tisdell Cottage Museum

Built in 1896, the King-Tisdell Cottage was home to Sara King and Robert Tisdell, members of Savannah's vibrant African-American entrepreneurial class. Today, the restored Cottage is devoted to showcasing various aspects of Savannah's African-American commercial history and culture. Visitors can explore the Cottage's exhibits, artifacts, and maps of Savannah's historic Negro Communities from the late 1800s and early 20th century.

Genealogy Research Support Center

Located in the Penthouse of the Beach Institute, the Genealogy Research Support Center offers resources and support for individuals seeking to research their African-American family histories. The Center provides access to Ancestry.com, Find-A-Grave.com, Newspapers.com, and YouTube tutorial videos, as well as charts, forms, and methods to organize genealogy research and information.

Services and Programs

The King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation offers a range of services and programs, including:

• Exhibits and Artifacts Gallery
• Tours and Lectures
• Genealogy Research Support Center
• Oral History Projects
• Publications and Research Services

Donate

The King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Your support helps to preserve the cultural heritage of African Americans in Savannah and promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures.