mission statement

The mission of the Coastal Heritage Society is to preserve the cultural heritage of coastal Georgia and adjacent regions and to provide relevant educational experiences for the public. Coastal Heritage Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation.

who we are

Chartered in 1975 as a small maritime historical society with seven members, the Society has grown to an organization of 83 employees providing a center for education and heritage tourism with the mission to preserve the cultural heritage of coastal Georgia and adjacent regions and to provide relevant educational experiences for the public. In carrying out this mission, CHS has the stewardship of six venues:

• Old Fort Jackson National Historic Landmark in Chatham County, owned by the State of Georgia, since 1976
• In the Central of Georgia Railroad Savannah Shops & Terminal Facilities National Historic Landmark District:
  • Georgia State Railroad Museum, owned by the City of Savannah, since 1989
  • Savannah History Museum, owned by the City of Savannah, since 1990
  • Savannah Children's Museum, owned by the City of Savannah and developed by CHS with private funding, opened June 2012
  • Battlefield Memorial Park, owned by the City of Savannah and completed in 2009
• Pin Point Heritage Museum in Chatham County, privately owned, opened September 2012
• The WhistleStop Café, at the Savannah History Museum, provides a family-friendly nostalgic eating experience for breakfast and lunch

CHS operates the sites, providing educational experiences for local residents, tourists, school field trips, seniors groups, weddings and receptions, corporate events, and other activities. Except for the two newest venues, the properties are open from 9am to 5pm 362 days a year plus after-hours activities. The children's museum has a seasonal hours structure, and Pin Point is currently open only on Saturdays or by appointment.

The Society follows the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines in the preservation of its many buildings and objects, restores and displays rolling stock, conducts interactive interpretation at all its sites, presents an annual lecture series, and provides educational programs and play at the children's museum. Additional services include preservation construction, railroad operations, education and interpretation, retail, food and beverage, event coordination, and maintenance.

chs construction & preservation

The Society has practiced historic preservation techniques in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Preservation on all buildings in its care for more than three decades and established its nationally recognized, award-winning Preservation Team in 2003.

The team has meticulously carried out steel, masonry, carpentry, and other work on City-owned buildings and Old Fort Jackson since that time. Recently CHS Construction & Preservation was formed to provide contract services to outside clients needing expert construction management services. Proceeds from all contract projects benefit Coastal Heritage Society historic preservation and educational programming.