Home tours, walking tours and museums helps one witness, firsthand, the history of Savannah. We recommend visiting the following:
Owen-Thomas House: The Owens-Thomas House is considered by architectural historians to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America. It was designed by English architect William Jay and built between 1816 and 1819. Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette was a guest of the city in 1825 and stayed at the home. You can tour the house, gardens and the coach house that was also the slave quarters. It has an attractive decorative arts collection of Owens family furnishings, along with American and European objects dating from 1750 – 1830.
Andrew Low House: Located at 329 Abercorn Street, this is a mansion completed in the mid-19th century, that is full of wonderful period furnishings, paintings and antiques. Juliette Magill Gordon Low was married to Andrew Low’s son. She was the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA and died in the house in 1927.
Isaiah Davenport House: This is another interesting historic home built in the 1820’s. Threatened by demolition, it was rescued in 1955 by the Historic Savannah Foundation. It is located at 324 East State.
Mercer Williams House and Museum: Located at 420 Bull Street on Monterey Square, this is an historic home that was started in 1860 and finished after the Civil War in 1868. It is most famous for the fact that it was restored by Jim Williams, the decorator, who became famous in the book and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” for the killing of his assistant. He died in the house in 1990. The house contains his many furnishings and collections.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum: This is a very interesting small museum about the importance of Savannah as a port city. There are great ship models, exhibits and antiques principally from the great era of Atlantic trade and travel between England and America during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is at 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Take a walking tour of the squares and wonderful architecture. You can see great details and hidden gardens. Call Earl Moore at 912-507-7525 as his two hour tour is quite good.