There’s a new sign out in front of the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, and it’s a big one. After much research and planning by the museum and its director, The Georgia Historical Society placed a Georgia Historical Marker highlighting the life and accomplishments of the museum’s namesake, Savannah Civil Rights Leader Ralph Mark Gilbert.

Museum Director Vaughnette Goode-Walker spoke, danced, shook hands, and celebrated alongside the crowd of elected officials, Civil Rights leaders, and locals on Wednesday. She said it was rewarding to see Gilbert’s work recognized. And Goode-Walker has done plenty of work herself to get the historical marker placed.

“The process of the marker involves doing the research for the person that you're nominating,” Goode-Walker said. “I think the big deal for me was that not only was I able to share the story of Dr. Gilbert, but also Mrs. Euloria Sherman GIlbert, my personal she-ro. We tell her story here every day as well, and her name was also on the marker.

Breana James, the Historical Marker and Program Associate at GHS, said when the museum submitted a request to honor Gilbert with a marker, it was an easy application to approve.

“Through our historical marker program, we accept applications, so it’s very exciting when we have community members, especially ones like the Civil Rights Museum and the Savannah NAACP, who come to us ready to tell stories like this,” James said. “It’s an important part of our history, and it’s been incredible to work with them to really dive deep into that history and tell the story of the person the museum is named for."

Ralph Mark Gilbert and Euloria Sherman Gilbert founded over 40 NAACP chapters all across the state of Georgia.

Gilbert served as president of the Savannah Branch of the NAACP from 1942 to 1950, which under his leadership helped usher in the integration of Savannah Police and The Original Nine Black police officers hired in 1947.

Gilbert was also involved in the establishing of the West Broad Street YMCA and the Greenbriar Children's Center. The Ralph Mark Gilbert Papers, held at the Civil Rights Museum, feature personal essays and papers created and collected by Gilbert, including his repertoire of dramatic and passion plays, sermons from First African Baptist, scrapbooks and more.

Following a ceremony, the historical marker was unveiled to a crowd gathered outside on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, formerly known as West Broad Street. Applause and drums rang out, photos were taken with the marker, and the museum opened its doors to the group, but Goode-Walker said she’s not done yet.

Next, she hopes to honor Savannah Civil Rights icon Westley Wallace Law, the founder of the Savannah Civil Rights Museum and mentee of Gilbert, with his own historical marker. Goode-Walker says it's all about telling the story.

“If we don’t tell our story, we lose it,” Goode-Walker said. “Our history is important.”