Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and Cary Elwes star in Glory, the true tale of the first all-black volunteer company, which served in the Civil War.
The soldiers, under the leadership of Colonel Shaw, played by Broderick, must overcome their own prejudices to lead their regiment to victory.
The majority of the filming took place in coastal Georgia. Additional filming took place on a private farm in McDonough, a plantation in Richmond Hill, Georgia, and throughout Massachusetts.
Find more locations from Glory on Movie Locations, The Cinemaholic, and Fast Rewind.
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Glory Filming Locations in Savannah
Georgia State Railroad Museum
Savannah‘s own Georgia State Railroad Museum was used in place of the army barracks. The museum is located in the former rail terminal and is the most intact antebellum depot in the world. Visitors can see the operational turntable.
Nearby Battlefield Memorial Park was used as Readville Camp. The park was the site of a Revolutionary War battle and serves as a memorial to those that fought.
Mercer Williams House
The historic Mercer Williams House was used as the home of Colonel Shaw, Broderick’s character, in the film. Built in 1868 in the Italianate style, it’s best known for being the real setting for the events of the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Today it operates as a museum.
River Street
For the film’s scene featuring a parade through Boston, Savannah‘s River Street was used. Replicas of the historic buildings were added to the riverside to resemble a narrow street. The area is also home to the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Other Glory Filming Locations
Glory Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island‘s appropriately named Glory Beach was used as the setting for the fictional Battle of Fort Wagner. Located on the south end of the island, the quiet stretch of beach isn’t as busy as others, set near the soccer complex.
While you’re here, continue south to the Wanderer Memory Trail, which honors the people on America’s last slave ship. It arrived illegally with 500 enslaved Africans on board.
Olustee Battlefield State Historic Site, Sanderson, Florida
Located outside of Jacksonville, Olustee Battlefield State Historic Site in Sanderson was used as the backdrop for a battle scene. The real-life Civil War battlefield was where the 54th Massachusetts actually fought.
In 1912, Civil War veterans set aside the battlefield as what became Florida’s first state park. The park has interpretive signs and trails and still hosts reenactments.
Real-Life Places from Glory
What’s most important to remember about the film Glory is the real men who fought in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. They fought in the Battle of Grimball’s Landing, in what became James Island, and the Battle of Fort Wagner, on Morris Island outside Charleston.
Little remains from this time period on either island but reenactments occur in Secessionville. The soldiers were originally buried on Morris Island but were reinterred in 1989 to Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, a short drive away.
A monument to Shaw and the regiment can also be found in Boston Common. The unit was also reactivated in 2008 to support military funerals.
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Looking for a place to stay while visiting Glory filming locations? The Inn on West Liberty is a few blocks away from the locations. The Jekyll Island Club Resort (review here) is the best place to stay on the island.
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