ONLINE EXHIBITS
SLAVERY, AN INSTITUTION THAT DIVIDED A NATION AND THE TRIAL OF THE SLAVE SHIP WANDERER
The arrival of the slave ship Wanderer to the Georgia coast in 1859, was one of the most controversial events of its day. It involved the illegal capture and transport of Africans, a conspiracy, the hierarchy of both Savannah society and the United States government, over 40 years of failed U.S. policies, and a capital punishment trial.
Through this online exhibit the chronicle of the Wanderer is explored, along with the historic context within which this intriguing story unfolded. The history of the slave trade is examined along with U.S. legislation regarding slavery, such as the abolition of the Slave Trade Law, the Fugitive Slave Act, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The influence of John Brown's abolitionist actions and the historic and stunning Dred Scott Supreme Court decision are also featured. Finally, the culpable actions of a group of radical Southerners known as the "Fire Eaters" are also revealed.
FOR TEACHERS: suggested classroom assignment.
CHARTING A COURSE: THE QUEST OF GIRL SCOUT MARINERS
In the first handbook for Girl Scouts (written in 1913) maritime activities were not highly endorsed, in fact, they were all but frowned upon. Four years later, in the new Girl Scouts' handbook, these same pursuits were actively encouraged. Perhaps this change in the handbook was due to it being personally re-written by the organization’s founder, Juliette Gordon Low from Savannah, Georgia. Low had a genius for understanding the wants of girls, and what girls apparently wanted in 1917 was more maritime oriented activities. Over the next decade participation by Girl Scouts in nautical pastimes flourished and by the early 1930's it was clear to the Girl Scout organization that a new course was being charted leading to the development of the Girl Scout Mariner program.
MBIRA BUILD: MAKE AND PLAY THE MBIRA
The mbira is a melodic and rhythmic instrument unique in that it has an exclusively African heritage. This exhibit will show you how to make an mbira from available materials and begin to play it.
This presentation features performance and instructional videos by T. J. Reddy, instructions for making and assembling the parts of an mbira, tuning information, resources, suggestions, and an exhibit of traditional and available-material mbiras.
WISH YOU WERE HERE! VIEWS OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER DURING THE GOLDEN AGE OF POSTCARDS
The “Golden Age of Postcards” occurred from 1905-1915. During this decade billions of “photographic”postcards were mailed in the United States – 700 million in 1908 alone. The use of actual photographs uniquely distinguished this era’s postcards from the graphic compositions produced in later decades, resulting in a credible portrait of the country’s pastimes, resources, and figurative and literal views.
PROPAGANDA OF WAR!
SAVANNAH LINE
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the United States' entry into WWI, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum presents this online exhibit "Propaganda of War! Savannah Line" highlighting the effects of two world wars on the Ocean Steamship Company of Savannah through the use of "imagined" and "re-imagined" propaganda posters.