Virginia + Calvin Kiah \
The Kiah House
We invite you to rediscover Virginia and Calvin Kiah. Founders of the Kiah Museum in 1959.
Virginia Kiah, the interdisciplinary artist activist who explored culture as a community leader, arts educator, scholar, and singer/songwriter. A talented artist fueled by her status as a Black woman denied civil, civic, and human rights.
1910
The home is built at 505 W 36th St, Savannah, Georgia. The home is 5,265 sqft, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms.
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Between 1910 and when Virginia and Calvin purchased the property the home would be owned by and rented to several different families.
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October 1, 1910 Calvin Kiah is born to Thomas Kiah and Mary Thownsend.
1911
June 3, 1911 Virginia Jackson is born in Baltimore, Maryland to Keiffer Jackson (1884-1970) and Lillie May Carroll Jackson (1889-1975).
1951
Virginia and Calvin Kiah move to Savannah and purchase the property. Virginia began teaching at Beach High School in 1951 through 1963. Following her retirement Virginia pursued careers as an artist and museum director.
1959
The Kiah's open The Kiah Museum that they built within the home.
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During this time, Virginia was a founding member of the National Conference of Artists in 1959. The initial goal of the NCA was to create an organization that supported African American artists and, “by extension, the creative health of the racial community of which they are a part.”
1994
August 5, 1994 Calvin Kiah dies.
2001
Virginia Jackson Kiah died on December 28, 2001. The Kiah Museum closes following Virginia’s death.
2022
After more than 20 years in probate, Historic Savannah Foundation acquires the property.
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The Galvan Foundation purchases the property and begins efforts to restore the home and create a new museum experience.
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1931
Virginia attended Philadelphia Museum School of Art and received her B.A. in portraiture.
1935
Virginia served as membership Secretary of the NAACP Baltimore Chapter.
1950
Virginia went on to obtain her M.A. at Columbia University in 1950.
1978
Upon Lillie May Carroll Jackson’s death, Virginia inherited her home. She used it to open a museum dedicated to her mother’s passion for activism and role in the civil rights movement. Lillie was president of the Baltimore chapter of the NAACP for 30 years and was one of the first people to advocate for nonviolent protests against racial segregation. The museum is still active today and is managed by Morgan State University.
1986
Virginia receives an honorary Ph.D. of Humanities from SCAD.
1987
Virginia was appointed to the SCAD Board of Trustees from 1987 to 1997.