We thought we would stay for about a half hour. We ended up being there over two. The documentary we were shown was a wonderful introduction. The one-on-one conversations and group time with Hanif gave a personal framework to learning about the Geechee/Gullah people. This was by far the best history tourist spot we experienced in Savannah. read more

Pin Point Heritage Museum - Museums Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

This museum is the story of a small fishing community of local Gullah people. A waterfront block remains, but the rest of the area is now parks and mansions. The oyster factory here has been nicely refurbished into a set of exhibits that details a very specific but interesting history. The admission is well worth it and in addition to the half-hour documentary they show, I spent close to an hour perusing the small site, simply because it was such a nice day. The place is famously the home of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, which is certainly referenced several times. However, when the video showing locals telling their stories plays, names are not given until the credits at the end, leading me to wonder whether Justice Thomas has a brother or cousin who looks a lot like him. But it is actually him joining the interviews, and he is presented as just one of the folks. The place is presented as a story of hard work and cooperation, with the syncretic local religion being emphasized. It's a dynamic that is difficult to grasp for someone who isn't from the area, but is certainly worth considering. Another salient feature of the site is its embrace of Americana. I'm more used to seeing the flag flying in front of buildings like the White House (or the Supreme Court), so seeing it here in this sleepy tidal marsh populated by the descendants of West Africans is a different experience. But it was certainly well worth a visit, and the other visitors struck up some conversations about what this sort of place means. read more

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A great place to learn about the Goolah-Greece culture. The video was very informative and well done. The tour guide was very good and added a lot to the visit. Highly recommended. read more

Excellent visit during my most recent visit to Savannah! History is one of the best things for me while wondering the USA. The museum is mall but informative, the staff were so helpful & did a excellent job in making sure our stay was perfect. I toured and listen to the audio guides along the way. They do have guides that start at 1030a if your interested, I highly advise taking one. I learned so much in under 2hrs about the area, and the museums existence. This is a hidden gem that most will overlook while in Savannah. Great way to start a visit to the coastal south. Yrly I have a to do list and Savannah is on it!!! Once a yr they have free museum day, hoping to visit during that time for some history and save a few coins. A big Thanks to the staff!!! read more

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Excellent look into a very unique place in America. Extremely nice staff and well worth the visit. We'll take our kids next time they visit Savannah. read more

I had such a beautiful and educational experience at the heritage museum today. I visited with a classmate to learn more about the Gullah Geechee cultural history, and I couldn't be more impressed with the museum experience. The documentary they show is very well done, and the buildings are preserved and shown very well. I also want to give a kudos to the site administrator, David, who allowed us to ask many questions for 15-20 minutes following the tour. If you're considering visiting, I highly recommend! read more

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This museum preserves the story of the Savannah Pin Point Community and the former A.S. Varn and Son Oyster and Crab factory. Founded in 1890, Pin Point became a self-sustaining community for Freedman from the 1890's until the factory closing in 1985. The tour guides are former or current residents/employees of Pin Point and are able to provide a firsthand account of the community and factory. They also present detailed information about the various restored historic buildings on the site. A documentary in the Picking and Cooling house provides the story of the community as remembered by former residents to include Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. My favorite part of the tour was the Oyster Factory. You are able to view the beautiful marsh marsh, boats used to harvest the oysters and crabs, the building where the oysters are delivered and the shucking process. Personal stories on life in the factory are available through several multi-media presentations in the building. This is one of the lesser-known Coastal Heritage Society museums in Savannah, but definitely one that I highly recommend for both visitors and Savannah natives to visit. read more

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Really interesting museum'reality and park of local oystering history. Right off a small turnoff of the Skidaway Island causeway. Has an art "rubbing station" for kids. Authentic era pictures, nicknamed photos of last male workers and a short movie. Work stations of shuckers--(women) and dioramas to give a good flavor of agriculture's hard work ethic. Tiny giftshop. Would be great if big-time oystering came back to our coastal waters. Oystered out years ago, UGA Aquaculture extension unit (and aquarium) & CCA charity nearby doing lots of studies. Bivalves keep waterways clean of pollution. Pinpoint is also boyhood home of SupremeCJ Clarence Thomas. Seems current locals don't like reminder of their neighbor, nicknamed "Boy", very much. read more

This is not a place to experience at arm's length. Watching the short introductory documentary inside one of the original processing buildings was a deeply moving experience and provided the necessary context for visiting the other buildings. If you're in the area, it is well worth a visit to learn about the people who worked and lived at Pin Point. read more

Engaging and informative. I recommend this and start with the movie. Mostly outdoors. Provides a look at the community that grew around the factory. read more

This quiet and unassuming location is a surprisingly informative cultural and historical landmark. Following an exceptional film narrated by locals of Pin Point, our guide treated us to a wealth of information regarding the history of Pin Point crabbing, oyster farming, and more. This man is a true treasure and we feel all the more lucky to have spent our afternoon with him. I am so happy we made the trip out to Pin Point - well worth our time. read more

We cannot thank Haines (forgive me if I spelled your name incorrectly) and Gail for the time they spent with us today explaining their Gullah and Geechee heritage. They have lived here their entire lives. Haines gave us a tour of the A.S. Varn and Son Crab and Oyster factory that closed in 1985. We almost went on a self guided tour, but were there long enough to take his tour. This is a must for all ages if you are in the area. It only costs $9, but will be something you remember for the rest of your lives. read more

Nice museum that takes about an hour and documents the life and lifestyle of the former oystering colony in the village. I recommend the documentary film read more

Amazing tour by Hayes and especially impactful film, history and grounds. The tour guide made sure to include my children and involve them in the learning and storytelling. Gail was also amazing and both are living history. They are both dedicated to preserving the heritage of the area and sharing it with others. We had an amazing time and will definitely visit again. read more

A must see... In 1985, the A.S. Varn & Son oyster and crab factory in Pin Point closed its doors for good. It marked the end of an era for the tiny fishing community tucked quietly away on the banks of the Moon River, just south of Savannah, Georgia. For nearly one hundred years, Pin Point was isolated and self sustained, a Gullah/Geechee enclave founded by first-generation freedmen where family, religion and work were deeply connected to the water. Today, the factory has been reopened as the Pin Point Heritage Museum, celebrating the life, work and history of this Gullah/Geechee community that calls Pin Point home. read more

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Who would ever expect for a small museum to be both educational and uplifting? Hubby and I stumbled upon this museum on the way to Skidaway State Park. We are so glad that we stopped in! Now, I have been to countless museums of all types, both large and small, but this little museum definitely made it to the top of my favorites list! PinPoint is much more than a museum about a small, isolated crab and oyster processing business. It is a museum that preserves the special relationships in the unique and very close knit community of people that lived and worked here. Our tour guide was a descendent of the people who were a part of this community, which really added a deep, personal perspective. He was very knowledgeable, but also very open and eager to share the PinPoint story. We enjoyed seeing the buildings and artifacts from the original PinPoint business, but more than that, we absolutely loved hearing about the very special people who made up the PinPoint community. The video was extremely well done. We found ourselves smiling at the personal stores that were told, the memories that were shared, and the very inspiring stories of the PinPoint residents....how they lived, supported one another, worshipped, and were a true community. read more

Nice museum. It was really neat to see where Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas grew up and worked as a young man before he started his public life. read more

Very informative and interesting. I was so pleased to be in such a diverse audience listening to stories of the last black owned island in GA. I felt as though I was experiencing a very important moment in our American story considering the current headlines! I would recommend a visit to hear about a self sustaining community that is struggling to maintain its rich history. read more

Pin Point Heritage Museum - Strolling through history! - Museums Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

Everyone should visit this amazing place! Excellent and so meaningful. Not just a museum about the past, but a place to learn about people and culture that still exists, and should not be forgotten or lost. read more

Hands down one of the greatest museums and experiences we have had in ages. Take the time to grab and uber and head down. Watch the video documentary and take a guided tour. First one is at 10:30am. You will not regret meeting the people and learning about the interesting cultural heritage of this area! read more

Hidden gem ! It is very interesting learning about the Geechee people who are indigenous to this area Very scenic and beautiful grounds . The tour guide was so pleasant and informative. This is a must if you want to learn about the early Coastal South ! read more

This museum is quite possibly the VERY best museum I have ever been to! The visit started with a wonderful and gorgeously shot movie detailing the history and life of Pin Point and culture. Tonya (the museum administrator) then lead our group on a spectacular guided tour of the museum grounds. This was a great introduction to Gillian/Geechee culture and very reasonable. It should be a must visit when you visit Savannah. read more

It's always good to learn about a culture other than your own. I do wish it got deeper into the Gulah/Geechee culture but the snippet I got was enough to make me want to research and learn more. Be sure to view the documentary. read more

One of the highlights of our trip to Savannah and Charleston. The Pin Point Community is a bit off the beaten path (but not by more than 15-20 minutes) but that's part of the charm. This is a Gullah-Geechee community and also happens to be where Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is from. Turning off the main highway, you will find yourself making the first turn to your left and heading down a short gravel/oyster shell drive way to the museum. We were quickly greeted by the very friendly and knowledgeable docent, paid our $7 per person, and joined other visitors watching a 35 minute documentary that begins the tour. After this, you are joined by the docent and led around the four or five buildings where you see what life was like for the many neighborhood residents who found their livelihoods in the crab and oyster processing factories located in the community. The views are also great, looking out into the marshes and the river beyond. Do note - as of this writing the museum is only open on Thursdays and Saturdays from about 9am-5pm, but check their facebook page for the current hours. This activity is tied with the Green-Meldrim House as my favorite Savannah activity. During our stay in Savannah (and our sojourn to Charleston) we toured or dined in nearly a dozen houses owned by some of the wealthiest white planters of the antebellum period. Pin Point Heritage Museum was a nice change of pace, and also was a positive story of resilient blacks forging their own destinies and maintaining a proud culture in the years following the Civil War and continuing to the present. read more

Definitely the way to start your trip to Savannah Georgia. Gail is one of the guides and her family is native to the islands. All of the staff was kind and friendly. The video is about a half hour and provides insight into the Geechee culture. The preservation of this culture is a gem. read more

Ms. Gail Smith is an amazing tour guide and I learned so many interesting history about the Geechee community in Georgia and their language Gullah! I also learned about how to process oysters! The museum was an amazing cultural treasure chest of important Georgian history and it is definitely a must see stop in your Savannah touring! read more

Unforgettable. Pin Point touched our hearts. I can't help but feel changed, thanks to our visit. Absolutely worth the (short) drive away from the city. Even our children (ages 7, 4 and 3) were captivated. Make the time to explore Pin Point. read more

Pin Point Heritage Museum - Museums Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

Really enjoyed this place. The guides are people who were raised here Not a huge place but a good story about a tight community. Love ,respect ,and very educational Not really enough going on for little ones. But if they are over 8 they will get something out of it. You can do the whole thing in about an hour read more

Pin Point Heritage Museum - Fabulous and insightful guides - Museums Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

What an amazing experience, I brought a group of AFS USA foreign exchange students to learn about the Gullah Culture and we all had such an amazing time. Thank you Gail, for an unforgettable tour. She was so knowledgeable and such a fun person, even had my 4 year old interested by asking for her help. We learned some words and quite a bit of History. It was fun to learn and participate in the Shouting practice, by stomping feet , singing, and clapping along. Some of the students' reflections about this tour: "The experience was great. I learned a lot about the African-American cultue. It was great to talk to someone about the life at Pin Point." Helen, Germany "We learned Gullah words and heard about their history and lifestyle." Ilona, Ukraine " Awesome experience about Gullah People, History, and Language." Myrat, Turkmenistan "I learned about their dances, how they baptize in the river. They are very religious and have a strong belief in God. They are so disciplined and respectful. I saw how they caught crabs." Naziya, India " I saw videos, the factory and tools, heard the music, felt happy, and learned how they grew up and their traditions. Yara, Lebanon. read more

We're so glad we visited the Pin Point Heritage Museum! We came on a Friday afternoon and saw very few other visitors. The folks working there checked on us occasionally, but were not overbearing. Learning about the Gullah/Geechee community was a nice change of pace from the tours we'd taken in Historic Savannah. You could really feel the love and pride they have for their community. read more

What an excellent tour! Hanif Haynes is an amazing tour guide who is so knowledgeable and generous with info regarding the Gullah community. For the price of admission, you definitely get your money's worth in the form of an in-depth history lesson led by someone who is not only proud of his roots and ancestry, but who is excited to share his culture and stories with whomever will listen. I highly recommend the museum and tour. Definitely 10 star worthy! read more

Do not miss this museum. A short drive from Savannah, a former crab and oyster factory maintains the history of the Gullah residents of Pinpoint, Georgia. You begin your tour with a short documentary, followed by a guided tour of the buildings where you learn about these people who originally came from West Africa in the 1700s. Highly recommended. read more

Excellent documentary movie. Fantastic tour guide. Warm friendly staff. Topped off by an amazing story of perseverance, hard work, faith and community overcoming great obstacles. So glad this story is being preserved and told. read more

An amazing interpretive center about a fascinating group of people. Starts with a great video presentation and then gives a super tour of the grounds. This should be a required trip for any Savannah trip to provide an important counterpoint to the white, upper-class, antebellum Savannah. A 10 minute drive from Bull and Broughton street that might as well take you to a different planet. read more

This is a fascinating and somewhat interactive museum about the lives and work of freed blacks who harvested oysters and crabs in this remote community of Pin Point. It included a very well produced video, and a guided tour by a descendent and resident of the community. It was surprising how well done the museum exhibits were for a relatively small and remote location. I would highly recommend this for a couple hour diversion in the area during a visit to Savannah. read more

Fantastic tour of the old crab and oyster processing factory provided by Mr. Haynes, a Gullah native of Pin Point. Captivating documentary on site as well featuring Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas! Would definitely recommend!! read more

Really interesting museum. Very informative. Suggest you take the guided tour if you have time.

Wow. This place is awesome. It's a must. Get the guided tour it's great and don't cost extra! Gail ( who worked on the island as a child) did an amazing job! Very interesting to learn about the history of pin point island and it's people. Also get a brief introduction to Gullah language and songs. If you take the tour you will be singing and stomping your feet with the guide! read more

This is a small and great museum and so much more. As a museum, the displays are very well done, both entertaining and informative. It explains a lot about an important aspect of African American life, the Gullah/Geechee culture, as well as the history of this specific community. On the "so much more" side, it is the only surviving Gullah/Geechee community (I believe) and seems to maintain a real sense of community among the residents, some of whom are on staff at the museum and give excellent tours. As one of the local women says in the documentary film shown here, "I learned to value the smaller things in life rather than the finer things." read more

Visited Pin Point before seeing "Off the Wall and On the Stage" a ballet based on the paintings of Gullah artist, Jonathan Green. Both my vote for "best kept secrets" of the area. People should be shouting from the rooftops and stopping strangers on the street to inform them about these two awesome events!! read more