King Tisdell Cottage

Why did a perfectly good Victorian cottage get uprooted and moved across Savannah? Here at 514 East Huntington Street stands the King Tisdell Cottage. It’s more than just a pretty “gingerbread” house. It’s a testament to resilience and a vital piece of Savannah’s African American heritage. The King Tisdell Cottage isn’t just named after its owners, Eugene and Sarah King, and later, Robert Tisdell. It embodies their stories, their struggles, and their triumphs. Eugene King, a laundry owner, and Sarah King, a confectioner, purchased this home in 1925. It originally stood on Ott Street. They were part of Savannah’s thriving Black entrepreneurial class. The cottage reflects their hard-won success. Their story, however, is tinged with sadness. Eugene died young, and Sarah’s second marriage to Robert Tisdell was short-lived. The house eventually passed to Alma Porter Tisdell, Robert’s subsequent wife. By 1980, the King Tisdell Cottage faced demolition. Urban renewal threatened its existence. W.W. Law, a prominent civil rights leader and preservationist, stepped in. He recognized the cottage’s importance to Savannah’s Black history. Through Law’s tireless efforts, the city helped relocate the cottage to its current location in the Beach Institute neighborhood. The King Tisdell Cottage opened as a museum in 1981. Inside these four walls, you’ll find exhibits that chronicle the African American experience in Savannah. From the harsh realities of slavery and emancipation to the inspiring stories of Black entrepreneurship, the museum paints a vivid picture. You’ll also learn about the rich Gullah-Geechee culture of the coast. And, of course, the lives of the cottage’s former owners are brought to life. The King Tisdell Cottage stands as a symbol of perseverance, a reminder of a vibrant past, and a celebration of a community’s enduring spirit.