Virginia Jackson Kiah

Virginia Jackson Kiah (June 3, 1911 – December 28, 2001) was an African-American educator and artist who spent a large part of her life in Savannah, Georgia, where Kiah Hall is now named for her.

She was the daughter of civil-rights activist Lillie May Carroll Jackson.

Early life and career Virginia West Jackson was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, to Keiffer Albert Jackson and Lillie May Carroll Jackson.

Kiah graduated from the Pennsylvania Museum School of Art with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1931. She followed this up with a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1950.

In 1951, Calvin was a professor at Georgia State University and Savannah State College during his career. as the Kiah Museum, The home was built in 1915.

Personal life

In 1992, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) acquired the deteriorating former Central of Georgia Railroad headquarters building and began renovations. A year later, the building was dedicated to Kiah, a member of SCAD's board of trustees between 1987 and 1997.

Kiah received an honorary doctorate from SCAD in 1986.

In failing health, she moved into a nursing home in 1990.

In 2024, HSF secured approval for the Kiah Museum to be placed on the Georgia Register of Historic Places.