Savannah: Slavery to Freedom History Tour with Gullah Guide

Summary

Stories of struggle and hope on Savannah’s streets led by Sistah Patt

You’ll walk Savannah’s River Street with a Gullah Geechee storyteller, hear stories at Johnson Square where families were torn apart, pass by the Second African Baptist Church, and pause among mossy graves at Laurel Grove Cemetery. This isn’t just history — you’ll feel it in your bones before you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is Sistah Patt’s voice — low, steady, kind of musical. We were standing by the African American Monument on River Street, and she asked us to close our eyes for a second. The river was right there, you could smell it — that briny, thick air — and she started talking about the first West African people brought here. I felt the cobblestones under my shoes, uneven and cold even though it was already warm out. It’s weird how a place can feel heavy like that.

We walked slow along River Street while she pointed out old warehouse walls built by enslaved hands. There was this moment where she told us about families separated at Johnson Square — I caught myself holding my breath. Some folks in the group wiped their eyes; nobody pretended not to listen. At one point, I tried asking about the Gullah language (Li laughed when I tried to say “kum ba yah” — probably butchered it), and Sistah Patt just grinned and said it means “come by here.” That stuck with me.

Later we passed the Second African Baptist Church in the van — Sistah Patt kept narrating, but outside the window everything seemed quieter for a minute. Laurel Grove Cemetery was our last stop; Spanish moss everywhere, sunlight coming through in patches. She told us about people buried there who never saw freedom, and some who fought for it anyway. It wasn’t an easy tour but honestly, I still think about that feeling walking back to the car — like history had gotten under my skin a little.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Savannah's slavery history

• Learn West African tribes' history
• Visit River Street warehouses
• See slave auction site at Johnson Square
• Travel past Second African Baptist Church

Top questions

How long is the Savannah Slavery to Freedom tour?

The guided tour lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours depending on weather and traffic.

Who leads the Savannah slavery history tour?

The tour is led by Sistah Patt, a master Gullah Geechee truth-teller and storyteller.

Which sites are visited during this history tour?

You’ll visit River Street, Johnson Square, pass by Second African Baptist Church, and stop at Laurel Grove Cemetery.

Is this Savannah history tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible if requested 24 hours in advance.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants can ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult’s lap during the tour.

Does this day trip include transportation between stops?

Yes, transportation between locations is included and accessible upon request.

What’s included

Your day includes narration from Sistah Patt—a master Gullah Geechee storyteller—guided walks along River Street and through Johnson Square, stops at the African American Monument and Laurel Grove Cemetery, plus comfortable transportation between sites (wheelchair accessible with advance notice).