Savannah had to save its history before becoming tourism destination | Beneath the Moss

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Before Savannah became a top tourism destination, it first had to save the very history visitors come to see.

The third episode of Beneath the Moss, WTOC’s Preservation Month podcast series in collaboration with the Historic Savannah Foundation, explores how historic preservation became one of the driving forces behind Savannah’s economy.

The episode features Austin Hill, chairman of the HSF’s Board of Trustees, who has been involved with the organization for 15 years.

Hill says Savannah’s tourism industry - the city’s top economic driver - can be traced directly back to preservation efforts that began in the 1950s.

“Tourism is the number one economic engine in Savannah,” Hill said. “I wouldn’t say that historic Savannah even impacts the tourism industry - the Historic Savannah Foundation created the tourism industry.”

Hill points to the early days of HSF, when preservationists stepped in to save buildings from demolition following the loss of the original City Market. The organization began purchasing threatened properties and connecting them with preservation‑minded buyers, laying the groundwork for the city’s modern historic district.

From there, interest in those preserved spaces grew into something larger.

“Historic Savannah Foundation actually started the first tours of those buildings,” Hill said. “That was the first Savannah tourist.”

Hill says the importance of preservation goes beyond dollars and visitors. At its core, he says, preservation is about the people and stories connected to historic places.

“Usually when someone is exposed to the story of historic preservation…the reasons for it involve people rather than just buildings,” he said. “Histories of families, of communities—those are the reasons that we save buildings.”

Beneath the Moss episodes

• Episode 1: Preservation 101 - Kaylee Johnson, HSF Director of Preservation, explains what historic preservation is and why it is essential in a city like Savannah.
• Episode 2: The HSF’s Vision for the Future - Collier Neeley discusses strategic planning, coalition-building and preservation as a way to unite communities.
• Episode 3: Preservation and Economic Development - HSF Board Chairman Austin Hill explores how preservation supports tourism, local businesses and economic growth.
• Episode 4: The Power of Preservation - Granddaughters of the “7 Ladies” who founded HSF share their legacy, alongside Davenport House Executive Director Danielle Hodes, who discusses expanding the site’s historical narrative.

Beneath the Moss streams live on WTOC+ every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30 p.m. throughout the month of May, with episodes also available online after airing.