Coastal Heritage Society 2016 Annual Report

2016 Annual Report

2016 Reaching Out Tab le of Cont ent s Ye ar I n R e vie w. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 D o n o rs. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Fin an cials. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 I mp act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 M a rke tin g . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 L o o k in g A h e a d .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 H o w Yo u C a n H el p. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4

Intro duction

E r ic Howel l Bo a rd Pre s i d e n t

2016 was a great year of bridging and growing collaborations between Coastal Heritage Society and a range of community partners to increase our depth as a resource and the breadth of our reach. We have committed ourselves to becoming a primary educational resource for families and educators in the lowcountry and to our visiting guests. Creating opportunities to make real and lasting impacts for Savannahians through our historic resources and Savannah Children’s Museum is our highest calling. To that end, 2016 saw us reach out and forge partnerships with the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital at Memorial and Ronald McDonald House Charities to take Carts with heART programs to hospitalized children and their families. We served over 2,000 Title I first graders through field trips at Savannah Children’s Museum at no cost to students, thanks to generous support from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. We also strengthened our ties with Heard Elementary School, Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts, Savannah-Chatham County Public School Board, and many others to create meaningful learning experiences in our community.

We continue to grow revenues and audiences at our historic sites and we attained our goal to balance the operating budget at Savannah Children’s Museum. Certainly, there is more good work to come in 2017, which is already shaping up to be a very exciting year of extraordinary positive growth. We are proud of our 2016 accomplishments and we look forward to achieving more great work alongside our friends and supporters in 2017 and the years to come.

Sincerely,

S a n dr a Baxte r C h ie f E x e c ut i v e Of f i c e r Chief Executive Officer

Board President

Our mission is to provide educational experiences for the public through the preservation and presentation of the historic resources of coastal Georgia and adjacent regions.

Year In Review In 2016, Coastal Heritage Society achieved many goals, completed essential projects, and embarked on new initiatives. We narrowed our focus to provide impactful education through our historic sites and programs, while upholding our mission of historic preservation.

Savannah History Museum

6,495

participants in the Loyalists and Liberty program

Savannah History Museum completed several enhancements to our permanent exhibits in 2016. Major additions were made to the Revolutionary War exhibit, including new panels, installations, and rare 18th century artifacts from our collection. Casework was added to the museum’s African American Experience in Savannah exhibit to highlight several items from our budding Gullah collection, particularly, the sweetgrass basket donated by artists Darryl and Angela Stoneworth.

Loyalists and Liberty program won the Coastal Museums Association Award for Excellence in Public History

1,909 field trip students served

The museum’s Loyalists and Liberty Revolutionary War program continues to provide engaging learning experiences throughout the year. The program takes guests through an immersive experience in the museum and on Battlefield Memorial Park that highlights the significance of the Battle of Savannah and its role in the greater context of the war.

Old Fort Jackson $9,762.04 raised for Support the Fort in 2016

Old Fort Jackson’s Support the Fort campaign focuses on the restoration of two historically significant cannons. Since fundraising began in 2015, $32,000 of the $60,000 goal has been raised. Once the restoration is complete, the early 19th century gun will be mounted on a recreated carriage capable of firing as part of the Fort’s educational programming.

17,377 field trip students served

On October 7th, Hurricane Matthew pummeled Georgia’s coast throughout the night, bringing with it damaging winds and flooding. Located in a high flood zone, the Fort sustained damages including flooding, downed trees, and structural impairments. The Fort was closed for 8 days, which impacted the site’s overall income and visitation.

3 2016 CHS Annual Report 3 2016 Coastal Heritage Society Annual Report

Year In Review Georgia State Railroad Museum Georgia State Railroad Museum hosted the 2016 Fall Conference of the Association of Tourist Railroads and Railway Museums (now HeritageRail Alliance). This national conference, themed “Realizing the Diversity in Our Field: Broadening Our Vision,” spanned 5 days and welcomed over 200 registrants, industry vendors, and presenters from around the world.

“Hosting this conference marks a milestone in the development of Georgia State Railroad Museum.”

- Terry Koller, Director of Railroad Operations

Georgia State Railroad Museum’s operational and rolling stock equipment received major improvements in 2016. Thanks to generous support of a committed patron, the museum’s diesel locomotive no.7069 was sent to Pennsylvania to receive a new engine. This enhancement will utilize a more modern engine and generator that will ultimately decrease operation and maintenance costs. The Railroad Museum’s original 1937 Central of Georgia Railway Post Office (RPO) car also received improvements. The RPO’s exterior was restored to its painted aluminum finish with a red hat band. This unique piece of rolling stock provides a strong example of a typical postal railcar.

27,852 visitors welcomed

S a v a n n a h C h i l d re n ’s M u s e u m A principal goal for Coastal Heritage Society in 2016 was to close Savannah Children’s Museum’s operational deficit. Thanks to community support, internal restructuring, and business growth, we achieved that goal. The Children’s Museum continues to focus its efforts on expanding educational programs and outreach to serve as many families in our community as possible.

2,889 field trip students served

4,800

Savannah Children’s Museum identified three critical educational needs within and around the communities we serve—STEAM-based learning opportunities (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math), environmental education, and health and wellness education.

The Children’s Museum adopted a new strategic plan designed to provide meaningful hands-on learning experiences that promotes a desire to experiment and explore in children, and meet the changing educational needs of the community. Through outreach initiatives, like Cooking Matters, the museum engages children and their parents, caregivers, educators, civic leaders, and healthcare professionals to achieve common a goal—educating and improving lives.

children and families served through outreach

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Year In Review Happy 5th birthday, Pin Point Heritage Museum!

Pin Point Heritage Museum won the 2016 Coastal Museums Association Award for Excellence in Education & Interpretation

Pin Point Heritage Museum On November 19, 2016, Pin Point Heritage Museum, along with members of the Pin Point community, museum supporters, Society members, and guests, celebrated its milestone 5th birthday. Over the past five years, the museum has grown, bringing with it meaningful living history experiences unlike any museum in the region.

Since 2011, Pin Point’s museum has endeavored to preserve the distinct history of this culturally rich community.

Great achievements were made in 2016 as the museum expanded its educational field trip program, welcoming over 1,400 students, and increased its hours of operation by adding Thursday as a third operational day.

Coastal Heritage Society’s exhibit fabrication and maintenance staff constructed and installed Shirley Ann, a new bateau for Pin Point Heritage Museum. The bateau, a type of flat-bottomed boat, represents the community’s relationship with the marsh.

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Donors T h a nk s to our donor s w h o w ish ed to remain an o n y m o u s !

700 Kitchen Cooking School Adventure Tours / Savannah Segway AmazonSmile Foundation Argos USA The Art Bash Studio Art Rise Savannah B Street Salon Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Max & Beverly Baldwin Bonnie Clark Ballard Estate Barnes & Noble Bass Pro Shops Boar’s Head Grill and Tavern Mr. Randall S. Booker Cade Booth Richard & Rebecca Burkhart Dr. Patrice H. Butterfield Ellen R. Byck Capital Group Charitable Foundation Capstone Publishing Paul & Judith Carnini David & Joan Chalikian Charles Products, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Matthew R. Chase Circa Lighting Claire Parrish Pottery The Clan Donald Foundation Coastal Museums Association Coca-Cola of Savannah College Football Hall of Fame Compass Prints, Inc. Terry & Jane Conway The Cottage Salon Coughlan Companies, Inc. Timothy & Dorothea Coy Creative Catering Henry G. Croci Davis Produce Lamar W. Davis, Jr. Mr. Robert Demere, Jr. Marc Dunston Llewellyn Dykes Paul & Margie Eason Epiphany Bead and Jewelry Studio Jennifer Fana Escape Savannah Mr. & Mrs. George Fawcett Fiddlers’ Crab House, LLC. William C. Fleetwood, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Michael Fleming Herbert & Julia Floyd Lisa L. Foley Justin C. Foust FraLi Gourmet Friedman’s Fine Art Fun Zone Amusement & Sports Park Galin Family Foundation Joseph & Jean Galvin John L. Garceau & Francesca Macchiaverna

Gary G. Oetgen Agency Georgia Aquarium Georgia Humanities Council Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. Shirley J. Gibson Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania Girl Scouts of America Troop # 10731 Girl Scouts of America Troop # 32021 Girl Scouts of America Troop # 61013,

Frontenac, Kansas Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Mark Glidewell Globe Shoe Company Justin Godchaux Lynn Goodman E. Renee Grimm James & Lisa Grove Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Habersham Partners Distribution, LLC. Kenneth & Nancy Hanson Harper Fine Clothing & Gifts Robert L. Harrison Jane & Alexander Hawes, Jr. Healthy Savannah Maribeth Hedgpeth Herb Creek Landscape Supply Hester & Zipperer Heyward House Historic Center Leamon R. Holliday, III William E. and Audrine C. Honey Foundation, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. D. Eric Howell HunterMaclean IKEA It’s VIEWtastic Donald James Jekyll Island Club Harold Jenkins JetBlue Airways Corp.

John & Emma Derst Foundation Barry W. Jones Kendra Scott Kimpton Brice Hotel Kinder Morgan Michael & Maryellen King Jeffrey & LeeAnn Kole Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kole Mrs. Anne Koller Stanley R. & Rose Konter Helen & Jeff Koppe Kroger Company Mr. Ronald A. Kronowitz Lachlan McIntosh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Lanier Steel Products, Inc. M. A. Laughter David K. Levy & Jane Townsend Stratton & Mary Leopold

Leopold’s Ice Cream Local 11ten Lovelane Designs Lowcountry Gourmet Foods James C. Lynch Michael & Gloria Lynch Macy’s Cassie Malone Mr. & Mrs. Paul Mamalakis Mandarin Oriental Hotel Atlanta The Marshall House Inez E. Martin Mattie Belle’s Bakery Melissa and Doug, LLC. John & Amy Menzies making Mermaid Cottages an impact Mr. Samuel Meyer Molly MacPherson’s Ron & Peg Morris Mr. & Mrs. Howard Morrison, Jr. Nancy & Lawrence Gutstein Family Fund NLaws Produce, Inc. Judy Nord North Island Surf & Kayak Alyse Omillian Opportunities for Others Jessica McBride-Owens & Maurice Owens Ben T. Padgett, III John Parrish, III Pier & Beam, LLC. Port City Logistics Tammy Pretty Gwendolyn Paige Prevatte Kaitlin B. Prieur Olivia V. Pugh Pure Barre Dr. Arden C. Quintin R & T Coal Company Reclaimed and Reformed Daniel & Diane Reitman Dimitri G. Ressetar Dr. Robert J. Reynolds William & Allison Rhangos River Street Riverboat Co. Teri Robinson Mary Beth & Paul Ronberg Mr. & Mrs. David Rosenblum Sabree’s Gallery of the Arts Savannah Bananas Savannah Bee Company Savannah Canoe & Kayak The Savannah Community Foundation Savannah Day Spa Savannah Food & Wine Festival Savannah Pilots Association Savannah Quarters Country Club Savannah Rae’s Gourmet Popcorn Savannah Technical College Savannah Theatre

Savannah Volunteer Guards Savannah Yoga Center Robert J. & Cathy Scanlon Karl Schumacher Alan & Barbara Schutts David & Janet Seeley Segway of Savannah The Sentient Bean Silver Silk and Beads, LLC. Dr. Ronald Smiley Mark V. Smith Peter Smith Tania Smith-Jones Mr. & Mrs. Philip Solomons, Jr. Aaron Soutar Southern Eagle Distributing Starland Cafe Starlandia Creative Supply Steam Operations Corporation Adam C. Stein & Marcell M. McDougall Sue Gouse Inspirations Surveying Consultants Edward & Isabelle Tapley Gerald & Norrita Thorne Tim’s Crane & Rigging, Inc. Turner Food & Spirits Company Tybee Island Vacation Rental Tybee Surf Lessons, LLC. William H. Ulmer Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah Vernacular Georgia Walt Disney World Kimball A. Warnock Larry D. Washington What’s For Dinner?

White Whale Craft Ales Whole Foods Market Savannah

$2,412

raised at Whole Foods 5% Day Tony L. & Kelly Wiggins, Jr. Wild Adventures Theme Park Dr. & Mrs. Frank Williams Mr. & Mrs. W. Ray Willingham F. Earline Woods Thomas & Marilyn Wright Mr. & Mrs. David Young

Thank you!

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Financials 2 0 1 6 To t a l R e v e n u e - $ 3 , 7 0 8 , 0 7 7 9% 32%

23%

6%

18% 4% 3% 2% 2% 1%

Project Rev and Mgt Fees

Booked Programs

Property Release

Site Rental

Admissions

Retail Sales

Contributions

Membership

Concession Sales

Other Income

2 0 1 6 To t a l E x p e n s e s - $ 3 , 3 1 4 , 9 7 5 1%

Operations $4,500,000

1%

$4,000,000 $3,500,000

7%

$2,000,000

Other Expenses

(Janitorial/Housekeeping, Business License & Registration, Vehicle Rep/Maint)

Jan - Dec 15

2016

Travel and Meetings

Expenses

Facilities, Landscaping, & Equipment Professional Services

Income

$2,500,000

Expenses

67%

Operating Expenses

Income

11%

$3,000,000

2015

13%

Salaries

$1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $-

Jan-Dec 16

Closures from Hurricane Matthew negatively impacted 2016 revenues

Statement of Financial Position Coastal Heritage Society’s total net assets were o​ ver $2,6​30​,0​ 00 as of December 31, 2016. Overall expenses decreased by 5.4% and 2016 generated a net income of $393,102.33. The Society agreed to a real estate transaction, which brought $225,000 in revenue to support the development of the Frogtown Tenements project. Losses in revenue from programs and admissions due to Hurricane Matthew is estimated to be between $50,000 and $75,000, and the Society continues to work with FEMA and insurance providers to recover some of the loss.

The Society dissolved its Construction and Preservation department in 2015, ceasing all construction-related operations. The dissolution created an overall positive impact on the cash flow and equity position of the organization. This resulted in a onetime enhancement of income and the capitalization of construction-related costs with an approximate net of $361,000 in 2015.

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Impact Coastal Heritage Society created the position of Education Specialist in order to work closely with each museum and develop programs, field trips, and educational content for special events. Immediately, we began seeing an impact of increased excellence and frequency of our educational programs. Through this position, we forged stronger, lasting partnerships with the county school district and community organizations. Overall, the Society served 4,871 scout groups, 27,767 students, and welcomed over 165,000 visitors to our museums and historic sites.

In 2016, Savannah Children’s Museum launched our Healthy Me initiative. Combining on-site and outreach programs, Healthy Me allows us to continue to incorporate physical activity and healthy eating programs that address a critical need in the development of the community’s youth and their families. Due to these efforts, Savannah Children’s Museum was designated as a Let’s Move! museum, a distinction awarded to museums and gardens that focus on getting kids and their families moving and eating healthy food.

Reaching Out A cornerstone of the Society’s 2016 strategic plan was to use our expertise and educational resources to extend our reach beyond the walls of our museums as we continue to deliver impactful, lasting experiences on-site.

As we continue our partnership with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, we are able to provide meaningful educational experiences for young learners and their families throughout the community. The Children’s Museum provides free STEAM field trips for all Title I first graders in the district. Thanks to generous ongoing support from Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., this effective educational program is helping to set students on a successful track for their future education. Partnerships with Esther F. Garrison School of Visual and Performing Arts and Virginia L. Heard Elementary have been instrumental in implementing new field trip and outreach offerings. From hands-on nutrition education in Garrison’s tile garden to Heard’s virtual environmental education field trips with Pin Point Heritage Museum, we are using our resources and expertise to meet the changing needs of classrooms in our community.

2,034 Title I students served

Partnerships Public schools and community organizations are ever-searching for partnerships that meet the needs of those they serve and to help broaden their reach. In 2016, Coastal Heritage Society built over 20 new partnerships that we forged through identifying critical educational needs in the community and by expanding our outreach. Through these partnerships, we have incorporated broader educational themes in our programs, reached new audiences, and served more than 5,000 members of the greaterSavannah community through outreach alone.

175 families served through Cooking Matters

Cooking Matters We began our partnership with Open Hand Atlanta’s Cooking Matters in 2016. Cooking Matters offers free cooking courses to families receiving assistance through federal nutrition programs, such as SNAP. Through hands-on family cooking classes, participants develop skills needed to create healthy, wholesome meals, while utilizing their limited budgets.

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Impact Carts with heART In its second successful year, our Carts with heART program reached more than 450 child-patients and their families. Through hands-on art lessons, the program provides fun, educational experiences for children receiving care at the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah and families staying at Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire. Thanks to ongoing support through the Arts Ashore Legacy Fund courtesy of The Savannah Community Foundation, Inc., this important and meaningful program will continue to serve families in 2017 and, our hope is, beyond.

456 served through Carts with heART

“When my son was hospitalized unexpectedly, I was of course anxious, confused, and very scared. He and I were alone since my husband had to stay with our baby at home.

It was the sweetest and most unexpected moment when Carts with heART came through our door with a cart filled with goodies to help my son take his mind off his plight. He immediately started to smile and immersed himself in the activity, seemingly forgetting the pain and hardship he had endured only moments beforehand.

I am so thankful that programs like this exist and for the kind and compassionate people that are a part of them. “ -Mother of child-patient at the Children’s Hospital of Savannah

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Marketing Marketing Impact 2016 was a foundational year for building Coastal Heritage Society’s branding and marketing efforts. We increased our media impressions month over month, when compared to our 2015 figures. Additionally, we had consistent outreach and engagement on our social media platforms for every signature event.

Media Impressions The media impression numbers depict an increase in people informed through Coastal Heritage Society’s messages and branding. The numbers represent actual people coming into contact with our marketing content.

52,453,052

2016-

2015-

5,601,204

105,000

people reached through social media events

5,154,396

1,578,092

136,000

January-March “The highlight of our Savannah History Tour” -34janew

181,020

April-June

404,113 129,803

July-September October-December

"Educational and interesting" -Lisa B

Historical Interpreter and resident, Gail Smith from Pin Point Heritage Museum was highlighted in the “My Savannah” video partnership with Visit Savannah. The series explores the city of Savannah through the eyes of a diverse group of local residents.

The video was released on December 26, 2016 and has since received over 400,000 views, boosting visitor interest in Pin Point Heritage Museum.

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2016 Coastal Heritage Society Annual Report

"Best railroad museum we've been to in a long time!"

-KTA89052

“Great place for young kids and adults”

-MayRiver2016

Med ia O utlets 2 016

Looking Ahead F ro g t o w n Te n e m e n t s Bordering the former Central of Georgia Railroad Shops Complex was once a largely working-class residential area, commonly referred to as Frogtown. In 2008, Coastal Heritage Society worked with the City of Savannah, Chatham County, and Historic Savannah Foundation to save two of the remaining Frogtown houses. The Society will adaptively reuse these houses and conjoined lot as a new museum venue.

Charlton Street House As planned, Coastal Heritage Society’s construction specialists furthered the completion of the Frogtown tenement house located at 539 West Charlton Street. The interior was restored and the ceilings and walls were re-plastered through a joint program with Savannah Technical College’s Historic Homeowners Academy. Two interior walls display the home’s vernacular construction method, and the original enclosed cooking porch was also left untreated to demonstrate how preservationists learn about historic structures.

Purse Street House With funding now available, rehabilitation for the Frogtown tenement house located at 342 Purse Street will begin in 2017. The Society’s construction and preservation experts will stabilize the building’s foundation piers and replace the roof, windows, and doors. The current metal siding will be removed and the original wood siding will be scraped and repainted. A late addition to the rear of the building will also be removed, restoring it to its original configuration, c. 1890.

Together, the two homes and conjoined lot will become our Frogtown Tenements exhibit, which will share under-told perspectives of our community’s history. The project will offer visitors an opportunity to understand and explore the historically significant residential area, as well as its relationship with the adjacent railroad site and the surrounding MLK Corridor.

539 West Charlton Street

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2016 Coastal Heritage Society Annual Report

342 Purse Street

Looking Ahead Mobile Museum Beginning in spring 2017, Coastal Heritage Society will deliver our successful curriculum and educational experiences to surrounding communities through our Mobile Museum program. The Mobile Museum will bring our diverse expertise to students, schools, community centers, and festivals. Programs provided through the Mobile Museum will include the Charlie Cart Mobile Kitchen, “Bonnie’s Garden,” STEAM education, environmental studies, literacy education, health and wellness activities, and social studies learning experiences. This effective outreach program is made possible due to generous support from Capital Group Charities, Coca-Cola of Savannah, and enmarket.

Ships Ahoy!

Ships Ahoy! is a new, interactive nautical exhibit at Savannah Children’s Museum. This new addition teaches children about navigation, ship technology, and visual perspective through interactive kinetic components, including gears, belts, and pulleys.

The exhibit focuses on STEAM-based education and incorporates maps and local geography with creative learning opportunities.

H o w Yo u C a n H e l p Annual Fund Every day, YOUR support makes engaging learning opportunities possible in our community. Support for Coastal Heritage Society’s Annual Fund provides immediate resources that are directed to current needs and opportunities that benefit our community. Please consider making a contribution to our Annual Fund and help us continue to serve you and your family, and broaden our reach to bring Coastal Heritage Society’s resources out into Savannah and beyond.

Tr a c k M a t c h C h a l l e n g e There is an ongoing need to expand and maintain the track system at Georgia State Railroad Museum. Track expansion will create needed access to a boarding platform in order to provide train rides for disabled passengers. Adding the track, switches, and diamond will expand the museum’s site tour by rail operation and connect to other areas of the historic complex, including the Storehouse. Donations will be matched up to $15,000 thanks to the generous support of a committed benefactor.

Support the Fort With the help of your donation to the Support the Fort campaign, two historic cannons will be restored, and one mounted on a reproduction carriage for firing. As some of the oldest artillery pieces in Georgia, the cannons have a long story to tell. Donations of any amount will help us reach our goal of $60,000, and our ambition is to raise $10,000 by the end of 2017.

Thank you for your interest and support in all that we do. If you would like to make a donation to Coastal Heritage Society, please contact Catherine Duffy at 912.414.6651, or cduffy@chsgeoriga.org.

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303 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 651-6840 | www.chsgeorgia.org