SAVANNAH GA THINGS TO DO

The lovely brick Andrew Low House combines Grecian details with elements of the Italian Villa style and boasts one of Savannah’s most stunning ironwork balconies. A shuttered piazza overlooks a beautiful brick-walled garden in the rear of the home. The front garden remains much as it did when first planted, with two hourglass-shaped flowerbeds. Handsome inside as well as the out, the Andrew Low House features spacious rooms decorated with beautiful plaster cornices and carved woodwork.

New York architect, John Norris, designed and built this lovely home in 1848-1849 for Andrew Low, a wealthy cotton factor, who came to Savannah from Scotland when he was only 16 years old. He started working in his uncle’s cotton firm and later became a partner and later director of the Savannah operation. In 1843 he married Sarah Cecil Hunter. Unfortunately, Andrew’s wife and 4-year old son died before the house was complete. Five years later, Andrew married Mary Cowper Stiles, daughter of William Henry Stiles, United States Minister to Austria. During the Civil War, Andrew Low was imprisoned at Fort Warren in Boston harbor on suspicion of collaboration with the Confederacy.

The Andrew Low House was host to several important visitors over the years. One such visitor was English author, William Makepeace Thackery, who visited in 1853 and 1856 while on lecture tours.

Know that I write from the most comfortable quarters I have ever had in the United States. In a tranquil old city, wide stretched, tree-planted, with a few cows and carriages rolling through the sandy road, a red river with a tranquil little fleet of merchant men taking cargo, and tranquil ware-houses barricaded with packs of cotton; a famous good dinner, breakfast, etc. and leisure all morning to think and do and sleep and read as I like. The only place I stay in the United States where I can get these comforts — all free gratis — is in the house of my friend Andrew Low of the great house of A. Low and Co, Cotton Dealers, brokers.
William Makepeace Thackery

In 1870, Robert E. Lee, former commander of the Army of Northern Virginia paid a visit to Savannah with his daughter, Agnes. The general left the train to face one of the largest crowds that ever assembled to welcome him. Cheer followed cheer. As soon as the crowd would permit, Lee was driven to the home of General Lawton, at the corner of York and Lincoln Streets. Later in the evening he was taken to the Andrew Low House, where he was to sleep.

The Lowes invited some of Lee’s old comrades to dinner on April 2. General Joseph E. Johnson, General Andrew Lawton and General J. F. Gilmer came to pay their respects. It was the first time Lee had seen Johnson since the war. Before leaving Savannah, Lee paid a visit to Joseph Johnston, who was then living at 105 E. Oglethorpe Avenue. At some point during his stay, Lee and Johnston were photographed together at Ryan’s, a local photography studio in downtown Savannah. The familiar picture shows them, “grizzled, old and feeble,” seated on opposite sides of a small table.

That spot of spots! That place of places!! That city of cities!!!
Robert E. Lee to Savanahian Jack MacKay

Andrew Low’s son, William Mackay Low, married Juliette Gordon in 1886. Juliette, commonly known as Daisy, moved in the family home on Lafayette Square. It was here that the widowed Juliette founded the Girl Scouts of America. Daisy had become friends with General Robert Baden-Powell, former of the Boys Scouts of England. Baden-Powell and his sister, who had formed a society of “Girl Guides” in England, inspired Daisy to found a similar organization in the United States. She formed two such groups of girls in Savannah in 1912. Members of the Girl Guides, later known as the Girl Scouts, held their meetings in Daisy’s carriage house. Juliette Gordon Low died in 1927 and bequeathed the carriage house to the Savannah Girl Scouts. The National Society of the Colonial Dames in Georgia purchased the Andrew Low House in 1928. After painstaking restoration, the Colonial Dames used the home as their headquarters, and officially opened the home to the public in 1952.

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.

Tours start every 15 minutes and last approximately 40 minutes. Tours are limited to 10 persons maximum.

The Isaiah Davenport House is one of the best examples of Federal-Style architecture in Savannah. The simple but elegant exterior was constructed of English brick and brownstone and features an ornamental iron railing and handsome double entry stairway.

The interior of the home has been authentically restored and features beautiful woodwork, original plaster-work and a hanging staircase. Filled with furnishings of the period, visitors are able to get a glimpse of what life was like in Savannah in the 1820s.

A native of Rhode Island, Isaiah Davenport, arrived in Savannah before 1807 after completing his apprentice as a builder. He soon became known as one of Savannah’s most famous and prosperous builders and built a number of brick houses in the late Georgian and Federal styles, all with high basements made necessary by the dusty unpaved streets of Savannah.

Davenport’s heirs sold the Davenport house to planter William E. Baynard in 1840, and remained in the hands of that family until 1955. Unfortunately, the house was a run-down tenement building by the 1930’s and destined for destruction in 1955 to make way for a parking lot. The historic home was saved by seven Savannah society ladies who raised $22,500 to purchase the home. This effort was the first act of the Historic Savannah Foundation, which would be responsible for saving and preserving many of Savannah’s historic sites.

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.

Georgia State Railroad Museum is a historic site featuring the most complete antebellum railroad of its kind in the world and is located at the old Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities in downtown Savannah. The museum gives visitors the opportunity to engage in interactive experiences, such as participating on the handcar, touring the historic railcars and taking a guided site tour by train which showcases our museum’s fully operational turntable. Check our website for a complete schedule of the days our train is operating. Space is limited on the site tour by train and is first come, first served.

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.

Notice: This house is operated by St. Johns Church and can be closed at any time for any reason for church related functions.

General William Tecumseh Sherman used the house as headquarters when the Federal army occupied Savannah during the Civil War, upon the invitation of Mr. Green. It was at this time (December, 1864) that General Sherman sent his famous telegram to President Lincoln offering him the City of Savannah as a Christmas gift. In 1976, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior.

Mr. Green was not possessed of great wealth when he arrived in Savannah. He became a cotton merchant and ship owner. By 1850, he had amassed a fortune sufficient to build the most elaborate house in Savannah at a cost of $93,000. According to Green family records, $40,000 of the cost of the building materials including flagstones, laths, planks and bricks, were brought from England as ballast on Mr. Green’s ships. Recent restorations have revealed that the bricks were actually made at a foundry in Macon, GA. The Green-Meldrim House is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture to be found in the South. The house was constructed in the early 1850’s as the residence of Mr. Charles Green, an Englishman who came to Savannah in 1833.

The architect for the house was Mr. John S. Norris of New York. Mr. Norris was in Savannah from 1846–1861 and during that time he designed not only the Green-Meldrim House but also the Custom House and numerous other fine residences. There are many unusual architectural features throughout the house. The front entrance has three sets of doors. The heavy outer double doors fold in and form a small closet on either side of the entrance. Of the other two sets, one has glass panels to give light and the third set is louvered for ventilation.

Features:

The woodwork on the main floor is American black walnut, beautifully carved, and the elaborate crown mouldings or cornices are stucco-duro. The doorknobs, hinges, keyhole escutcheons and covers are silver plated. The hanging consoles in the hall have supporting brackets or carved wood, while the ornate aprons are of papier-mache

There are marble mantles in each room in the house, the two in the double drawing rooms being of Carrara marble. Other original adornments in these rooms are the matching chandeliers and the large mirrors in gold-leaf frames which were brought from Austria.

The graceful curved stairway with skylight above is a feature found in other houses designed by Mr. Norris. Also of special significance are the oriel windows on the east side of the house.

The Garden:

The covered porch, on three sides of the house, is surrounded by ornate ironwork. The planting in the garden is not authentic to the period of the house, but after the removal of layers of soil it is believed that the pattern of the original flower beds was discovered and has been restored. The former kitchens, servants’ quarters and stable have been converted into the Rectory of St. John’s Church.

History of Ownership:

The house has been owned by only two families and St. John’s Church. After the death of Mr. Green in 1881, it became the property of his son, Edward Moon Green. On July 14, 1892, the house was purchased by Judge Peter W. Meldrim. On December 30, 1943, the Meldrim family sold this historic treasure to St. John’s, thus ensuring its preservation.

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.

This Greek Revival mansion located in Savannah’s historic district was built in 1842, and graciously opens their doors for tours. The house is beautifully furnished with antiques, yet continues to retain the feel of a warm and inviting home.

The Harper-Fowlkes House has served as the headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Georgia since Alida Harper-Fowlkes bequeathed the house to the Society in 1985.

The exterior and interior architectural features of the home have intrigued students and travelers from all over the world. One of the featured treasures of the house is the elliptical opening viewed from the lower and upper levels of the entry and stairwell.

What to Expect: 

• Docent led tour of Greek Revival historic home. 
• See fine furnishings and architectural features of the home.

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.

The Jepson Center links the history preserved by the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters and Telfair Academy to the future of art and architecture. The strikingly modern building, opened in 2006, is filled with art, activities, and educational opportunities that will encourage learning for generations to come.

Holiday Closures:

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• St. Patrick Day Observance
• Easter
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve, open 10am-3pm
• Christmas Day
• New Years Eve Day, open 10am to 3pm

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.

Guided Tours

The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is offering guided tours exploring the fascinating life and world-changing legacy of Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of the Girls Scouts, through stories, art, and artifacts held in her childhood home.

Please allow at least an hour for your visit, so you can fully enjoy the tour, garden, and museum store.

What You’ll Experience

A tour of the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace provides an exciting look into the history of our remarkable founder and her home, as well as a glimpse into a movement that is still building girls into strong women of courage, confidence, and character over 100 years later.

During your visit to the Birthplace you will be guided on a journey through the life of Juliette Gordon Low. Original and period furnishings adorn seven spacious rooms with high ceilings. You will see unique architectural features, including elaborately carved millwork, decorative plaster ceilings, and the impressive staircase with its curved mahogany rail. Numerous works of art, including many pieces created by Daisy herself, are on display throughout the house.

You may browse the garden independently before or after your tour. Be sure to look for the monogrammed gates that are believed to be forged in part by Daisy herself.
Before you head back out into beautiful Savannah, you’ll want to visit our shop for great local gifts, items made by girls and women around the world, and Girl Scout merchandise.

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.

Visit one of the world’s most powerful museum experiences, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Located only minutes from historic downtown Savannah, where the Eighth Air Force was activated in 1942, the 90,000-square-foot museum is dedicated to preserving the history and stories of the Eighth Air Force, the “greatest air armada of all time.” Hear the unforgettable stories of bravery, experience a bomber mission and briefing, and see the ongoing restoration of the World War II B-17 Flying Fortress “City of Savannah” inside the Museum’s Combat Gallery. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is an experience not to be missed while visiting Savannah!

We are pleased to be able to offer group tours of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. These tours can be self-guided or guided by our incredible Museum Docents. If you choose for your group to tour self-guided (on your own), you will want to plan on a minimum of two hours. Guided tours are two hours in length. If you have limited time, just let us know and we will tailor a shorter tour for your needs.

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is home to a traditional English Pub. You can enjoy lunch there, Monday thru Friday from 11 am to 2 pm, with food prepared by our in-house restaurant, Miss Sophie’s Marketplace.

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.

Old Fort Jackson is a must-see National Historic Landmark offering daily cannon firings and exciting interactive programs for adults, kids and families! Only minutes away from historic downtown Savannah, you can experience unique views of Savannah’s riverfront and walk on the grounds of one of the oldest brick fortifications on the East Coast.

History

This fortification is located on the Savannah River, just 3 miles east of the city. It was constructed in 1808 as part of President Thomas Jefferson’s Second System coastal defense initiative and named after Revolutionary War patriot James Jackson. This brick fort was constructed over an old earthen battery from the Revolutionary War which had been called “Mud Fort.” Soldiers were stationed at Fort James Jackson to guard Savannah during the War of 1812. Following the War of 1812, two periods of construction continued expansion of the fort from the 1840s-1850s, prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War.

Local Confederate militia units occupied the fort at the start of the Civil War in 1861. In 1862, it became the headquarters for Savannah’s river defenses after the fall of Fort Pulaski. In 1864 the Confederate troops quickly evacuated Fort Jackson just prior to the arrival of federal troops under the leadership of General William Tecumesh Sherman after his infamous “March to the Sea,” leaving Fort Jackson under control of federal troops. The last American soldiers to be stationed at Fort Jackson were members of the 55th Massachusetts, an African- American unit of the Federal Army.

The War Department abandoned the fort in 1905 and the state of Georgia reopened it in 1965 as a maritime museum. After the state decided to close the museum in 1975, the newly formed nonprofit Coastal Heritage Society approached the State in 1976 asking permission to re-open and operate the site, which was granted. The historic site was now referred to as Old Fort Jackson. In 1978, Fort Jackson and CHS came under the leadership of Scott W. Smith. Operation continued to grow with modest success as did development of educational programming for regular guests and student field trips.

Currently, Old Fort Jackson has a successful model of independent operation and a solid reputation of delivering high-quality, engaging educational programming for booked groups. This program offering has been expanded to regular operation for daily museum guests and includes cannon, musket firings and other interactive & hands-on activities.

• Number of Featured allowed is determined by pass duration purchased more info
• Reservations are typically required for Featured Attractions.
• You can make reservations  in advance of arriving which are easily made from within the Mobile Pass you’ll receive after purchase.
• View tour availability before purchasing TourPass

• No reservation is required, just show up and present your Mobile Pass for entry.
• Visit as many as you wish 1x.