The Massie Heritage Center is a symbol of Savannah’s early commitment to public education.

Here is a timeline of special events pertaining to this historic school, located on Calhoun Square at the southeast corner of Abercorn and Gordon Streets:

1841 - Peter Massie, a Scotsman who had lived in Savannah before moving to Glynn County, Georgia, dies and leaves $5,000.00 to the city of Savannah "for the education of poor children."

1852 - Savannah's mayor and two aldermen constitute the Massie Poor School Committee.

1855- Wisely invested for several years, the Massie School Fund has grown to $14,008.25.

Chatham County Commissioners Anthony Porter, John Stoddard, and Solomon Cohen request and receive $9,000.00 to build the Massie School House.

Work begins in December, with John S. Norris (designer of the Custom House and the Green-Meldrim House) as architect and builder, on a classic Greek Revival structure that will become the Massie School.

1856- An October 8 opening is postponed until October 15 because the arrival of desks is delayed.

School opens with 150 students in six classrooms. Enrollment grows to 240 by the end of the first school year. Of the 240 students, forty-two pay tuition amounting to $1200.00, an average of $28.57 per student, although payment varied depending on ability to pay.

1864- During the Union occupation of Savannah, Massie School House is used as a Union Hospital.

1865- At the direction of the Federal Army, Massie School is designated as a public school for African- American children. * View the original document concerning this period.

The Chatham County Public School System is chartered as the first public school system in Georgia.

The "Massie Common School House" marks ten years of operation as a public school

1872- The western building is added next to the original 1856 John Norris structure in a compatible style.

1886- The eastern building is added on the other side of the original 1856 John Norris structure in a compatible style.

1974- The Massie School is closed as a regular inner-city school after nearly 120 years of operation.

1975- The Massie School history and building are researched by Saxon Pope Bargeron, a Massie School principal, Savannah-Chatham County school superintendent, and Board of Education president.

1977 - The Massie Heritage Interpretation Center is placed on the National Register for Historic Places.

School Life

Architectural Design

John Norris, Architect

Friends of Massie

Photo Gallery