Walking West Broad: Savannah's African American Movie Theaters Tour

Stand on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Savannah and you’re standing on West Broad Street’s old main stage — a strip that, for much of the twentieth century, hosted Black‑owned moviehouses, jazz and blues stages, and businesses that anchored a thriving community. HSF Special Tour: "Savannah's African American Movie Theaters: A Walking Tour of Historic West Broad Street" guides you through that history with film historian Dr. Chad Newsom, who leads a focused, 1.5-hour walk beginning at Origin Coffee, 356 MLK Jr. Blvd.

The route threads past surviving theater façades, vintage marquees, and commercial storefronts whose brick and plaster faces keep weathered traces of signage and paint. As you walk, Dr. Newsom uncovers the stories behind specific venues, entrepreneurs, and performers who made West Broad a regional cultural engine: the screening rooms that premiered films to Black audiences, the stages that hosted touring blues and jazz acts, and the business network that sustained daily life. For visitors who usually pass through Savannah’s squares and riverfront, this tour reframes the city’s center by foregrounding an African American urban corridor that shaped local culture for decades.

This outing is practical as it is evocative. Expect mostly level sidewalks, about 1.5 hours on foot, a small-group limit of 20, and a start time of 10:00 am; check-in takes place ten minutes prior. Admission is listed at $30 for HSF members and $40 for nonmembers; pre-registration is required. Wear comfortable walking shoes, carry water, and bring a notepad or phone for the plaques, addresses, and archival references the guide will point out.

Why book this trip? The tour serves as an interpretive companion to Savannah’s more photographed areas, turning facades and alleys into primary sources. It’s led by a film historian affiliated with the Savannah College of Art and Design, lending academic context to on-street observations. The small group size makes it easy to ask questions, photograph marquee details, and linger where the guide highlights surviving fragments.

Practical notes: meet at Origin Coffee (356 MLK Jr. Blvd), arrive ten minutes early, and expect an urban walk with occasional traffic crossings. The experience is especially rewarding for visitors interested in film history, music heritage, and the lived geography of Savannah’s Black community. Book ahead to secure one of twenty spots and come ready to see ordinary storefronts as evidence of extraordinary histories.

After the tour, linger to visit local cafés and museums that expand on themes introduced on the walk. Bring cash or card for purchases at independent businesses along MLK Jr. Blvd. For a deeper dive, consult archival materials at local historical societies or university collections mentioned during the walk; those resources extend on‑street narratives and reward future visits and inspire future return visits.