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City of Savannah and The Learning Center Launch Savannah’s Landmarks of Liberty Lecture Series

September 10, 2026
Abshire Public Relations

Free public series features Pulitzer Prize winner Edward J. Larson and nationally recognized historians exploring Savannah’s role in the American Revolution

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Before America was 250 years old, Savannah was helping write its story. This fall, the City of Savannah and The Learning Center invite the community to rediscover that story through Savannah’s Landmarks of Liberty, a free public lecture series commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Running from September 27 through November 12, the series features Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, nationally recognized historians, and leading scholars who will explore the people, places, and pivotal moments that connected Savannah to the birth of the United States.

The series opens on Sunday, September 27, with a keynote presentation by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Edward J. Larson, author of Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters. His lecture, Why 1776 Matters, sets the stage for a series examining Savannah’s remarkable contributions to the Revolutionary era and the enduring legacy of liberty.

Additional presentations will explore the rise of revolutionary sentiment in the Lower South, Georgia signer Button Gwinnett and the Declaration of Independence, the arrest of Royal Governor James Wright, the experiences of enslaved soldiers during the American Revolution, the arrival of news of the Declaration of Independence in Savannah, Lafayette’s celebrated return to the city, and the monuments that continue to honor Revolutionary heroes Nathanael Greene, Sergeant William Jasper, and Casimir Pulaski.

“Savannah’s story is inseparable from America’s story,” said Luciana M. Spracher,  City of Savannah, Archives & History Officer.  “As our nation marks this historic milestone, Savannah’s Landmarks of Liberty offers an opportunity to better understand the events that unfolded here and the people whose actions helped shape the country we know today.”

“One of The Learning Center’s greatest privileges is creating opportunities for people to continue learning throughout their lives,” said Roger Smith, Director of The Learning Center. “This series brings nationally recognized historians and authors to Savannah while reminding us that some of America’s most important stories unfolded right here in our own community. We hope Savannah’s Landmarks of Liberty inspires people of all ages to discover, discuss, and take pride in our city’s remarkable place in America’s story.”

Presented as part of the national America 250 commemoration, Savannah’s Landmarks of Liberty reflects a shared commitment by the City of Savannah and The Learning Center to making history engaging, accessible, and relevant for everyone. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend one lecture or experience the entire series.

Lecture Schedule

September 27

  • Why 1776 Matters – Edward J. Larson, Pulitzer Prize Winner and author of Declaring Independence – Why 1776 Matters

October

  • October 1 – Sparking Revolution in the Lower South — Woody Holton, University of South Carolina
  • October 8 – Button Gwinnett and the Declaration of Independence — Stan Deaton, Georgia Historical Society
  • October 15 – The Arrest of Governor James Wright — Greg Brooking, author of From Empire to Revolution: Sir James Wright and the Price of Loyalty
  • October 22 – Slave Soldiers in the American Revolution — Jeffrey Kerr-Ritchie, Howard University , author of Freedom’s Seekers: Essays on Comparative Emancipation
  • October 29 – When the Declaration of Independence Was News in Savannah — Emily Sneff, author of When the Declaration of Independence Was News 

November

  • November 5 – Lafayette in Savannah: Greeting the “Guest of the Nation” — Ryan Cole, author of The Last Adieu: Lafayette’s Triimphant Return, the Echoes of Revolution, and the Gratitude of the Republic 
  • November 12 – Remembering the Revolution: Greene, Jasper, and Pulaski Monuments — Christopher Hendricks, Georgia Southern University 

For the complete schedule, lecture locations, and free registration information, visit www.SeniorCitizensInc.org/america250

About Savannah’s Landmarks of Liberty

Savannah’s Landmarks of Liberty is a free public lecture series presented by the City of Savannah and The Learning Center in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Guided by the theme “Savannah’s Story • America’s Legacy,” the series explores the people, places, and pivotal moments that connected Savannah to the American Revolution and helped shape the nation’s history through presentations by distinguished historians, award-winning authors, and leading scholars.

ABOUT SCI

Senior Citizens Inc. (SCI) has been helping people in coastal Georgia age successfully since 1959 through a variety of programs including Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Health Centers, The Learning Center, and much more.  To learn more about SCI and its services, please visit www.SeniorCitizensInc.org or call 912-236-0363.