Savannah Events: Super Museum Sunday - It's Free

Many Savannah attractions can be viewed at their best during the clear, bright and sunny weekends of winter. That's why Super Museum Sunday, sponsored by the Georgia Historical Society, is an annual event that provides a spark for Savannah restaurants, tours, and attractions in the Savannah Historic District and even beyond the city limits during February when tourists are at a seasonal low. I've attended this great event in the past and plan to attend it again this year.

Once a year, normally on the first Sunday in February, over 40 museums in the Savannah area open their doors to citizens and tourists alike -- for free. Included in the listing of Savannah attractions for Super Museum Sunday are the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, the Girl Scout First Headquarters and Museum, Telfair Museum's Owens-Thomas House, the Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home, and even churches such as the First African Baptist Church.

Outside the historic district and downtown Savannah can be found other museums that are free on Super Museum Sunday. These include the Tybee Island Lightstation and Museum, Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, and most of the forts in the area including Fort Morris, Fort McAllister, Fort Pulaski, and Fort Stewart. Of course, several of the more traditional museums in the area are open for free on Super Museum Sunday, too. The SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) Museum of Art, Telfair's Jepson Center for the Arts, and the Savannah History Museum are some that you will enjoy.

My Experience at Super Museum Sunday

I've attended the last couple of Super Museum Sunday events and enjoyed them immensely. The weather is almost always very nice in February, especially for walking from house to house in the Savannah Historic District. The crowds are small and dispersed, too, although you may experience a short wait at some of the more popular houses.

The tours you will receive at each site will vary. Some houses will have their regular docents conducting tours and answering questions. Other houses or museums may provide a shorter version of the regular tour and some rooms may not be included on the tour.

Regardless, I found all of the homes I visited during Super Museum Sunday extremely interesting. I live a short drive outside of Savannah and go there regularly. Whenever I have out-of-town guests at my home, we invariably end up in Savannah for a day and on the trolley tours that are available. By the time you've done a trolley tour, visited River Street, and eaten a meal, there usually isn't time to visit a house or museum, too. That is the great thing about Super Museum Sunday. Instead of spending another visit to Savannah riding the trolley and wondering what is behind the doors of the homes talked about on the trolley tour, Super Museum Sunday actually provides me the opportunity to take a quick visit to these homes and museums and determine which ones I enjoy and would take a visitor back to see.

For instance, my favorite home in Savannah is not one of the more opulent ones. Instead, my favorite home is the Isaiah Davenport house. You can read my review on it here. I wouldn't have known how much I would enjoy it if I hadn't gone to Super Museum Sunday.

Tips for Enjoying Super Museum Sunday

If you plan on visiting Savannah for Super Museum Sunday, take advantage of my experiences and be sure to follow these tips.

Visit the Georgia Historical Society web site first and download the map showing the homes that will be open for Super Museum Sunday. Almost every home, church, and museum has its own web site. Visit each one to determine the houses and museums that you most want to see. It is feasible to see 3-4 homes in the Savannah Historic District with guided tours on Super Museum Sunday without feeling too rushed or overloaded. If you are most interested in visiting one of the forts, the Tybee Lighthouse or the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, then you will probably only be able to see one site, or at the very most two, on Super Museum Sunday.

For instance, last year I was able to visit the Isaiah Davenport House, the Juliette Gordon Low House, and the Owens-Thomas House. We probably could have squeezed in one more but all of these tours happened to be thorough, informative tours with Q&A time and nice gift shops and gardens to peruse.

Plan your attack then park your car and walk from house tour to house tour. Savannah is a beautiful place to walk and you'll just waste time moving your car from place to place.

Take water with you. Walking to each of the squares getting from house to house can be tiring and even a little warm in February if the sun is out - especially if you don't plan your route. Depending on the route you choose, it is possible that you won't pass a convenience store or restaurant where you can dash in for a drink or snack.

If you visit the Juliette Gordon Low home or the Girl Scout Museum you might score some Girl Scout Cookies as a nice afternoon treat. I did last year!

For More Information on Savannah's Super Museum Sunday

Contact the Georgia Historical Society
501 Whitaker Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Tel 912.651.2125
Toll Free 877.424.4789
www.georgiahistory.com

Super Museum Sunday is normally held on the first Sunday in February. Time: Noon - 4p.m. (Note: Some museums may have differing times. The Georgia Historical Society site will show any deviations.)

Sources:
Georgia Historical Society, Super Museum Sunday, www.georgiahistory.com
K. Bellamy, Isaiah Davenport House Tour Review, AssociatedContent.com
K. Bellamy, Juliette Gordon Low House Tour Review, AssociatedContent.com
K. Bellamy, Owens-Thomas House Tour Review, AssociatedContent.com