NEWS RELEASE

February 4, 2019

For Immediate Release

New Exhibits on Display at City Hall

SAVANNAH, GA (February 4, 2019)— The Office of Municipal Archives, partnering with local collectors and the Coastal Heritage Society, has opened two new exhibits, now on display in the City Hall Council Chambers through December 2019.

“Souvenir Savannah” features antique Savannah tourism souvenirs that highlight famous landmarks as well as traveling mementos popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. On loan from private collectors, highlights of the exhibit include early stereographs of Savannah and intricate sterling silver spoons featuring symbols of Savannah. “Souvenir Savannah” speaks not only to the souvenir experience of acquiring mementos during ones travels as a way to remember and share your visit, but to the second life many antique souvenirs have as collectors seek them out in later years.

“small COLLECTIONS” pulls together a diverse assortment of small hobby collections to explore the curious need of humans to collect things. From the holdings of the Municipal Archives come W. W. Law’s matchbook collection and Mayor John P. Rousakis’ collection of keys to cities around the world. The Coastal Heritage Society has shared several unique collections from their holdings, including Dr. William G. Neeley’s colorful glass insulators and Barry Thomas’ cast iron still banks and bottle openers.

The “Souvenir Savannah” and “small COLLECTIONS” exhibits are available to the public on City Council meeting days (every other Thursday) or during the First Tuesday Tours of City Hall, held the first Tuesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. To register for a tour, please call (912) 651-4212 or register online at www.savannahga.gov/FirstTuesdayTour.

For more information about the exhibits, please contact Luciana Spracher, Municipal Archives Director, at (912) 651-6411 or Lspracher@savannahga.gov.