Located on Calhoun Square, the Massie School opened its doors in 1856, and was the first public school in Georgia. Today, it's been converted into the Massie Heritage Center, featuring an overview of Savannah's unique urban planning, and exhibits dedicated to the most important aspects of the city's culture, from architecture to the Native American influence.
At the time of its founding in 1733, Savannah was the first North American city planned around public squares. General Oglethorpe's grand design for his new capital called for four squares to serve as gardens and meeting areas. The western and eastern sides of each square were reserved for public buildings, such as churches and government offices, while the northern and southern ends were for private residences, called tything blocks.