Savannah, Georgia, December 9, 2025 — The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) has named Massie Heritage Center as the 2025 Affiliate Chapter of the Year. One of Savannah’s leading educational institutions, Massie Heritage Center has played an important role in supporting GHS’s work by engaging students and the public with programs that explore Georgia and American history. The award was presented at Massie Heritage Center on Monday, December 8, 2025, by Elyse Butler, GHS Manager of Programs and Special Projects.
"The longstanding relationship between the Georgia Historical Society and Massie Heritage Center has supported GHS's mission of teaching Georgia and American history," said Butler. "From in-school and on-site fieldtrips, participation in the Georgia Day Expo, and beyond, the partnership between Massie and GHS is invaluable. Massie has been a member of GHS's Affiliate Chapter Program for over a decade, and GHS is pleased to present Massie Heritage Center with the 2025 Affiliate Chapter of the Year Award."
The Georgia Historical Society’s Affiliate Chapter Program was established in 1996 to provide resources to local historical organizations and provide opportunities for those organizations to learn from each other, thereby developing a more informed network of institutions dedicated to sharing the many local stories that constitute Georgia’s rich and diverse history. Today, the program includes nearly 200 participating organizations. Each year, GHS selects one affiliate member as the Affiliate Chapter of the Year for its exemplary leadership in the field of Georgia state and local history.
"Our staff at Massie is honored to receive the Georgia Historical Society's 2025 Affiliate of the Year Award," said Steve Smith, Curator at Massie Heritage Center. "We enjoy and appreciate our cooperative efforts with the GHS on programs such as History on Wheels, the Georgia Day Expo, Constitution Day, and shared student field trips! We value the organization's powerful commitment to preserving Savannah's history and helping us in our mission to teach audiences about our city's significant history. Some of our exhibits would not be possible without their excellent research library and archives."
As a long-time Affiliate Chapter, Massie Heritage Center continues to preserve and interpret Savannah’s past while engaging students, educators, and the public in meaningful explorations of Georgia’s history. This award recognizes Massie’s ongoing leadership in public history and its vital role in advancing GHS’s educational mission.
For additional details about the Georgia Historical Society, please contact Keith Strigaro, Director of Public Relations and Communications, at 912.651.2125, ext. 153, or by email at kstrigaro@georgiahistory.com.
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ABOUT THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia and American history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.
To learn more visit georgiahistory.com.