For Immediate Release
Date: August 1, 2016

The City of Savannah, in partnership with Historic Savannah Foundation, is the recipient of a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation which will assist the City in creating a plan to maintain and preserve the interior of Savannah City Hall.

“City Hall is a treasured historic building, integral to the fabric of our downtown, while still operating as a central workplace for many departments within our organization,” said Savannah City Manager Stephanie Cutter. “This grant will help us set forth a plan to protect and maintain its unique interiors so that it can continue to be a beautiful, historic and working building far into the future.”

The grant funds, which include $10,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a $10,000 match from the City of Savannah and an additional $2,500 contributed by Historic Savannah Foundation, will be used to create an interior assessment and restoration plan for the public spaces of City Hall's first and second floors. The plan will help guide the City in preserving and maintaining the historic materials and finishes within City Hall, ensuring its continued use and enjoyment for generations to come.

“Historic Savannah Foundation was pleased to facilitate this grant request to our partners, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Savannah’s City Hall is a focal point at the head of Bull Street, and its care and condition reflect the City’s commitment to historic preservation. Historic Savannah Foundation thought this a worthy project to support,” said Daniel Carey, president and CEO of Historic Savannah Foundation.

Built between 1904 and 1905, Savannah’s City Hall is of significant historic value to the community, because it is the first building constructed by Savannah residents to serve as the exclusive seat of municipal government. It is also an emblem of the city’s twentieth century position of expanding business prosperity and high civic pride. Savannah City Hall is a contributing building to Savannah's National Historic Landmark District. It was also documented by the National Park Service as part of the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1981 and included in the publication, "America's City Halls" (The Preservation Press, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1984).