Davenport House, Savannah
The Isaiah Davenport House, built in 1820 and threatened with demolition in 1955, is what encouraged concerned citizens of Savannah, Georgia, to recognize the architectural significance of the home and other historical buildings in the city and launch preservation efforts that eventually saved hundreds of structures.
Located on a corner of Columbia Square, the Federal-style building was built by Davenport for his wife, ten children and nine slaves. A century later, the once stately home in a fashionable neighborhood became a rundown and dilapidated rooming house in a seedy part of town. A group of community-spirited citizens gathered to purchase it 鈥� the first act of the newly organized Historic Savannah Foundation, which went on to save hundreds of buildings in the city; in fact, in 1955, Davenport House became the Foundation's headquarters. It was opened to the public as a house museum in 1963.
Since the mid-1990s, the museum began a restoration process which resulted in a more authentic experience for visitors, including period wallpaper and room furnishings reflecting the inventory taken at the time of Davenport's death in 1827.
Why You Should Visit:
Although not as opulent as some other houses one can visit in Savannah, the 40-min tour 鈥� which starts with a brief video, very well done 鈥� is quite appealing. Each room has been carefully renovated with attention given to the tiniest detail, and great pains have been taken to create even the original designs of the floor and the wallpaper.
Tip:
Enjoy the beauty of the garden after your tour but make sure to enjoy the gift shop as well, since profits go for the continual improvement of this beautiful home.
Located on a corner of Columbia Square, the Federal-style building was built by Davenport for his wife, ten children and nine slaves. A century later, the once stately home in a fashionable neighborhood became a rundown and dilapidated rooming house in a seedy part of town. A group of community-spirited citizens gathered to purchase it 鈥� the first act of the newly organized Historic Savannah Foundation, which went on to save hundreds of buildings in the city; in fact, in 1955, Davenport House became the Foundation's headquarters. It was opened to the public as a house museum in 1963.
Since the mid-1990s, the museum began a restoration process which resulted in a more authentic experience for visitors, including period wallpaper and room furnishings reflecting the inventory taken at the time of Davenport's death in 1827.
Why You Should Visit:
Although not as opulent as some other houses one can visit in Savannah, the 40-min tour 鈥� which starts with a brief video, very well done 鈥� is quite appealing. Each room has been carefully renovated with attention given to the tiniest detail, and great pains have been taken to create even the original designs of the floor and the wallpaper.
Tip:
Enjoy the beauty of the garden after your tour but make sure to enjoy the gift shop as well, since profits go for the continual improvement of this beautiful home.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Savannah. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Davenport House on Map
Sight Name: Davenport House
Sight Location: Savannah, USA (See walking tours in Savannah)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Savannah, USA (See walking tours in Savannah)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Savannah, Georgia
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
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Saved by the forward-thinking residents from being bulldozed in the 1960s, these gorgeous structures (with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles