Savannah Black History Tour Shares Forgotten Past
Owner Rita Fuller Yates leads visitors through the city to explore sites of land ownership and the struggle for freedom.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in African-American
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The Savannah Black History Tour educates visitors on local sites connected to the era of slavery and the subsequent fight for land. The tour highlights pivotal moments, including the 1865 meeting at the Greene Meldrim House regarding Field Order 15.
Why it matters
Understanding this history clarifies the deep-seated pursuit of autonomy by formerly enslaved people who sought land to build their own communities. These stories reveal the complex reality of land promises that were ultimately never fulfilled.
In 1820, there were 43 free Black residents in downtown Savannah. Later, Field Order 15 promised 40 acres of land and a mule to each family, though these promises went unfulfilled for the formerly enslaved population.
The players
Rita Fuller Yates
She is the owner of the Savannah Black History Tour and a local educator.
The details
Guide Rita Fuller Yates leads participants through Savannah locations that trace the transition from slavery to freedom, anchored by the 13th Amendment. The narrative centers on the January 1865 meeting where 20 Black leaders negotiated for land rights, leading to an influx of 40,000 people hoping to claim their own property.
Timeline
In 1820, 43 free Black people resided in downtown Savannah.
On January 12, 1865, Black and military leaders signed Field Order 15.
In December 1865, the 13th Amendment ended slavery in Savannah.
Culture Shift
The narrative surrounding Field Order 15 challenges common historical perspectives on the post-Civil War landscape. By examining this failed promise, the tour underscores the systemic obstacles that prevented land ownership for the formerly enslaved.
Residents and visitors gain a deeper understanding of the city's geography by visiting sites once central to the freedmen's settlement efforts on Skidaway Island. The tour informs public perception of the city's historical sites and the legacy of the Reconstruction era.
The takeaway
The history of the 40 acres and a mule promise remains a foundational element of Savannah's past that continues to shape current discourse. Visitors to the city can better grasp these complex social dynamics by engaging with local historical tours.
Further reading
Explore more stories on the local experience at the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wtoc.
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