News Summary
Laura Seifert, founder of the Savannah Archaeological Alliance, will deliver a lecture on African American education in Savannah’s post-emancipation era. Taking place at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center, the event includes an exploration into educational obstacles faced by the community. Seifert will highlight significant schools like the Beach Institute and Haven Home Industrial School while drawing connections to ongoing educational issues today. Reservations are encouraged for this informative lecture on September 18.
Savannah – Laura Seifert, the founder of the Savannah Archaeological Alliance, will deliver a lecture on September 18 as part of the 2025 Historic Savannah Foundation Lecture Series. Her talk, titled “Faith in Education: 19th-Century African American Education in Savannah,” will take place at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center, located at 323 E. Broughton St. The event will feature a wine reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by the lecture starting at 6 p.m.
Seifert’s presentation will delve into the importance of education in the African American community, particularly in the context of post-emancipation Savannah. She will address various challenges including underfunding, segregation, and inadequate infrastructure that plagued early African American schools. Notable exceptions, such as the Beach Institute and Haven Home Industrial School, will also be discussed, highlighting their resilience against the trend of rapid school closures.
Additionally, Seifert will incorporate archaeological and historical findings related to the Skidaway Island Benedictine Mission, a Catholic mission and boarding school in operation from 1877 to 1900. Through her research, she aims to illustrate how the educational obstacles faced in the past continue to resonate with today’s students. Seifert has also penned a book on the subject entitled “Faith in Education at the Skidaway Island Benedictine Mission.”
Recognized for her significant contributions to educational history, Seifert received the only archaeology-based Historic Savannah Foundation Preservation Award. Her nearly 25 years of experience in archaeology includes work at various historical sites, such as Revolutionary War areas and local museums. Previously, she served as an instructor at Armstrong State University (now part of Georgia Southern University) and was instrumental in co-founding its public archaeology program.
The Historic Savannah Foundation President has expressed enthusiasm about Seifert’s upcoming lecture, inviting both local residents and visitors to attend. Seifert’s contributions are viewed as critical for understanding the intricacies of African American educational history in the region.
The lecture series is designed to highlight the people, places, and stories that characterize Savannah. Following Seifert’s talk, the next installment will occur on October 16, featuring Luciana Spracher discussing Savannah’s municipal cemeteries. Additionally, a tour of Laurel Grove North Cemetery will be available on October 18 at 10 a.m.
The lecture is open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to make reservations due to limited seating. Attendance is complimentary for Historic Savannah Foundation members, while non-members will be charged a fee of $15. Reservations can be made through email or by reaching out to the Historic Savannah Foundation.
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Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
