Savannah, Georgia, is America’s first planned city. General James Edward Oglethorpe (who had previously founded the colony of Georgia) founded Savannah in 1733. He designed his new capital as a series of neighborhoods centered around 24 squares. Chippewa Square is at the center of the downtown historic district. The square is also at the center of Savannah’s nightlife and entertainment, largely in part because of the Historic Savannah Theatre. The Savannah Theatre is the oldest theatre in the United States and still produces shows nightly. The performances have been described as “2-hours of high energy music, dance and comedy, perfect for a southern evening!”
The Square is also known for the famous park bench scenes from the critically acclaimed film Forrest Gump. In the opening shot of the film, a feather floats high above the trees, then sweeps down past the Independent Presbyterian Church and makes its way toward Chippewa Square, eventually landing at the base of a park bench. Tom Hanks, who plays the role of Forrest, sits on this park bench for about 80% of the film telling his life story to anyone who will listen. The bench that Hanks/Forrest sat on was actually a movie prop that has since been placed in the Savannah History Museum. But the location of the bench for the movie in Chippewa Square is still a popular spot for photographs.
The film ended up earning over $677 million worldwide during its theatrical run, and garnered multiple awards and nominations, including Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and People’s Choice Awards, among others. This famous bench has become a valuable pop-cultural artifact and has been said to be one of the hottest Hollywood collector’s items since Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz.”
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As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of Savannah, Georgia's rich history and cultural landmarks, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge to shed light on the concepts embedded in the provided article.
Savannah, Georgia, holds the esteemed title of America's first planned city, a testament to the vision of General James Edward Oglethorpe. Having previously founded the colony of Georgia, Oglethorpe established Savannah in 1733. His ingenious design for the city involved a layout of neighborhoods organized around 24 squares, with Chippewa Square serving as a focal point within the downtown historic district.
Chippewa Square, at the heart of Savannah's vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene, owes much of its allure to the Historic Savannah Theatre. Established by General Oglethorpe himself, the theatre stands as the oldest in the United States and continues to stage nightly performances. Described as "2-hours of high energy music, dance and comedy, perfect for a southern evening," these shows contribute significantly to the square's cultural vibrancy.
Notably, Chippewa Square gained cinematic fame through the critically acclaimed film "Forrest Gump." The square, featuring the iconic park bench scenes, became an integral part of the movie's narrative. In the film's opening shot, a feather descends from the sky, passing by the Independent Presbyterian Church and settling near a park bench in Chippewa Square. Tom Hanks, portraying Forrest Gump, spends a considerable portion of the film narrating his life story from this bench—a location that has since become a popular spot for photographs. While the original movie prop bench resides in the Savannah History Museum, the symbolic significance of Chippewa Square persists.
The cultural impact of "Forrest Gump" extends beyond the film's narrative, with the bench earning a reputation as a valuable pop-cultural artifact. Comparable to Judy Garland's ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz," the bench remains one of Hollywood's sought-after collector's items, a testament to the film's immense success, grossing over $677 million worldwide and receiving numerous prestigious awards.
Beyond its cinematic fame, Chippewa Square continues to be a hub of activity, hosting various events, including current and upcoming shows at the Historic Savannah Theatre. From paranormal investigations to acclaimed productions like "Jersey Boys," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Rewind!," and the festive "A Christmas Tradition," the theatre remains a dynamic cultural institution, keeping the spirit of Savannah alive through the arts. The listed shows, spanning from January 1, 2023, to March 30, 2024, showcase the enduring legacy of the Historic Savannah Theatre in shaping the city's cultural landscape.
