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Historic Savannah Foundation Celebrates 70th Anniversary

Patricia West sharing insights on Gullah Geechee literary legacies at the Historic Savannah Foundation.

News Summary

The Historic Savannah Foundation will honor its 70th anniversary with a lecture by Patricia West, focusing on African American and Gullah Geechee literary contributions. The event will feature a wine reception and an engaging discussion on the literary legacy of Savannah, coinciding with Juneteenth observance. Attendance is free for HSF members and a nominal fee for non-members.

Savannah – The Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) is set to honor its 70th anniversary with an upcoming lecture by Patricia West, a distinguished writer and retired professor from Savannah State University. The lecture, titled “Celebrating Savannah’s African American & Gullah Geechee Literary Legacies,” will take place on Thursday, June 19, at the HSF’s headquarters located at 321 E. York St. The event will begin with a wine reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 6 p.m.

This event forms part of the 2025 Historic Savannah Foundation Lecture Series, which is centered around the theme “The People, Places and Stories That Define Savannah.” The lecture is particularly significant as it coincides with the observance of Juneteenth, a day recognizing the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. West intends to take attendees on a literary tour of Savannah’s Gullah Geechee Corridor, exploring Black authors from the region, their external influences, and their lasting contributions to the African American and broader American literary traditions.

Attendees can expect an engaging discussion where West will share her Gullah Geechee heritage through original poetry that captures Savannah’s rich history, highlighting notable figures such as dockworkers and “dinner” ladies who played pivotal roles in the community’s heritage. According to Sue Adler, the CEO and President of HSF, Savannah holds a significant position within African American literature, serving as both an inspiration and a home for numerous notable authors.

Patricia West, a native of Savannah, earned her degree from Savannah State University and recently retired as an Assistant Professor of English there in 2022. She holds a master’s degree in English Education from Georgia Southern University and has reached doctoral candidacy at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. West’s literary contributions include the book “Still Water Words: Poems and Stories from Ancestral Places” and the co-authored e-textbook “Great Works of African American Literature.” Her research has been published in prestigious journals such as The Journal of Museum Anthropology and Women’s Studies, and she has spoken at over 20 conferences globally.

Recently, West presented research concerning the influences of Black farm workers and house servants on the celebrated author Flannery O’Connor at a prominent literature conference. Beyond her academic achievements, she actively participates in her community by giving lectures at Senior Citizens Inc.’s Learning Center and serving on the board of LePageville Memorial Cemetery. Her affiliations further include the Savannah State University Community Booster Club and the National Council of Negro Women.

The HSF Lecture Series will take a break during the Summer of 2025, with plans to resume featuring speakers such as Danielle Hodes, Director of the Davenport House Museum. Given the limited seating, advance reservations for the HSF Lecture Series are highly recommended. Attendance to the event is free for HSF members, while non-members will be charged $15. Members can make reservations via email or phone, whereas non-members will need to purchase tickets online.