Historic Savannah Foundation

On December 3, 2020, HSF broke ground on its long-awaited three-phase capital project. We're excited about the construction progress on two of the phases and will be bringing you regular updates, starting with today's check-in. The first phase, the new Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Center, is being built behind the Kennedy Pharmacy on Broughton Street. As part of the second phase, the pharmacy will eventually house the Davenport House Museum's gift shop, and the third phase will convert the bottom floor of the museum to an urban enslaved exhibit. To read more about the initiative and see renderings of the finished project, click here: https://bit.ly/3wSnmfN (Outdoor pics by Brooks Construction Group, LLC; indoor pics by Shamrock Drones)

Congrats to Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield's Cultural Resources Management program on winning the Secretary of the Army Environmental Award for Cultural Resource Management! They worked with the State Historic Preservation Office to develop an archaeological avoidance plan to preserve two 19th century water-control structures that were causing erosion to and around the structures -- including an 18th century Ranger Outpost listed on the National Register of Historic Places - NPS. Way to go! #HistoricPreservation #CulturalResources #CivicResponsibility #ProtectAndPreserve https://home.army.mil//team-teams-takes-top-honors-cultura

Let's take a walk! Join the Davenport House crew this Saturday morning for an informative stroll through Savannah's Historic Landmark District. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and weather while learning about 1820s-era Savannah!

Thanks, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, for the kind words and recognition! It has been our pleasure to continue the important work that Anna Hunter and her ladies started so many decades ago!

Thank you for celebrating Women's History Month with HSF! We've loved introducing you to many of the wonderful women who work in local historic preservation fields, and we hope you've enjoyed "meeting" them. We're so grateful for these community leaders, as well as our many local advocates -- your support is invaluable!

As HSF continues to commemorate Women's History Month by honoring the remarkable women working in preservation, please join us today in celebrating Ardis Wood! Follow us again tomorrow on our social media outlets for a final thank you to the amazing group of women we’ve recognized this month.

So much progress already!

Let there be light! HSF is so excited to see the new light standards installed at the Victory Drive/Atlantic Mall crossing. HSF partnered with City of Savannah Government and the Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent Neighborhood Association to make this possible. Lamp posts very similar to those installed yesterday originally stood atop these concrete pedestals when the mall was first built in 1910 as part of the planned Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent neighborhood, but were removed ...decades ago. (Note: the historic image of the mall shortly after its completion, with a newly planted row of palm trees.) Late last year, HSF was approached by the city. Money had been allocated to install new lighting, but no one could find an affordable solution to replicate the historic five-globe design. HSF researched three different lighting companies, before they identified the Niland Co. as offering an appropriate and comparable style. Utilizing two different prefab products, HSF was able to assemble a historically sensitive design that saved the city tens of thousands of dollars. The savings allowed the city to install lighting on both sides of Victory Drive, whereas the original intention was to do only the south side. This project would not have been possible without the leadership of Alderman Nick Palumbo. Future improvements to this busy crossing will be forthcoming. Stay tuned. See more

Have fun and be safe this evening!

Thanks, The Savannah Tribune, for the great coverage of our recent groundbreaking ceremony! https://www.savannahtribune.com//historic-savannah-founda/

Tonight HSF is co-hosting a new episode of "My Historic Neighborhood - LIVE!" The second episode begins this evening (Thursday, October 29th) at 7 p.m. via Facebook Live at: www.fb.com/nickforsavannah Every month panelists will take a deep dive into the history, architecture, and character of one of several historic neighborhoods across Savannah and Chatham County. Tonight's episode will feature Ardsley Park & Chatham Crescent, and will be accessible via Facebook. Viewers will be able to interact with panelists and ask questions. Panelists will include Alderman Nick Palumbo, City of Savannah; Ellen Harris, Ethos Preservation; Ryan Arvay, HSF; and Polly Powers Stramm, author.

Historic Savannah Foundation unveiled its 2021 Master Plan for the Kennedy Pharmacy Addition and the Davenport House Urban Enslaved Exhibit. The groundbreaking ceremony, held Dec. 2, 2020, for this tremendous project is the result of the successful completion of a significant part of a multi-phase fundraising effort and marks a milestone in the institution’s vision for the future. To celebrate, HSF invited Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, key stakeholders, top supporters, and community dignitaries to the project site for an official groundbreaking.

Imagine a Savannah without historic preservation. Imagine strolling a downtown street and not seeing gorgeous, well-kept Victorians, unique storefronts, 200-year-old buildings restored to their original glory, and renovated churches that have been modernized but still have their 19th century look and character. What would we see, if not for historic preservation? Fortunately, that's not something we're faced with -- thanks to the protections and guidance offered by local hist...oric preservation efforts! But our job is never done -- as long as there is a historic Savannah, we'll be working to preserve it ... and we NEED your help! Today is Giving Tuesday, and we're asking our supporters to please consider a donation to Historic Savannah Foundation. Your gifts truly help us save buildings, places, and stories that define Savannah’s past, present, and future. https://www.myhsf.org/support/ways-to-give/ See more

1820 House at the Davenport House Museum October 2020: Faith Week The Davenports' preacher was the Rev. Henry Kollock. The photo is of him gravestone....Continue reading

1820 House. Davenport House Museum. October 2020. Fear Week. Rev. Pascal Strong tells it. Why is it that famine, war, pestilence and natural disasters are the result of Divine Retribution; while beautiful sunsets, a gentle breeze or a spectacular rainbow are taken for granted? Rev. Paschal Strong had the answer, and on November 17, 1822 he told the entire congregation of Middle Dutch Church in New York City that it was their sinfulness for which such atrocities could be bla...med. Still not feeling guilty? He can help you out with that - in a mere 78 pages of hell, fire and brimstone ... #yellowfever #history #preaching #historichousemuseum #19thcentury #museumlife #causes https://www.youtube.com/watch

Congrats to our Davenport House Museum! They had an 1829 album that belonged to Sarah Davenport (an original occupant of the house), and it has now been conserved by the Northeastern Document Conservation Center. See the process: https://www.nedcc.org//nedcc-sto/davenport-hair-album-pt1

Thanks, Savannah Morning News & SavannahNow.com, for the great story on the Davenport House Museum's ongoing 1820 House tours! If you haven't come by yet to check out this awesome program, there's still time! Every Friday in October, the staff will present special tours that draw parallels between hardships faced by Savannahians in 1820 compared with hardships we face today, with a special focus on illness, economic instability, civil unrest and spirituality. Go check it out! https://www.savannahnow.com//davenport-house-museumrsquos-

Historic Savannah Foundation CEO Sue Adler recently did a video interview with Savannah CEO, describing the Davenport House's precautionary health and safety procedures implemented upon the museum's June reopening. http://savannahceo.com//historic-savannah-foundation-ceo-/

1820 House. Davenport House Museum. October 2020. A page from the register or deaths - 1820. Fascinating. Transcription of - date of death, name, age, birth pl...ace, occupation, cause of death , attending doctor, resident/non-resident. The register indicates 666 deaths from the fever between June and the end of the year. This does not take in account the deaths of Africans and African Americans - free and enslaved. The estimate for total deaths (from a population around 8000) is 900. Bad time - 200 years ago. #AmericanHistory #yellowfever #historicsavannah #deaths #historichousemuseum #19thcentury See more

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking nominations for its 2021 Preservation Awards, an annual list of preservation projects and individuals in the state that have made significant contributions to the field of historic preservation. The submission deadline is Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.

Check out the awesome story in today's Connect Savannah -- it really captures the essence of the current special program running all month at the Davenport House Museum! If you have not yet stopped in for an "1820 House" tour, you absolutely must! Here we are thinking 2020 is rough, but wow, go see the re-enactment of what Savannah lived through exactly 200 years ago, in 1820! You'll see what we mean ... https://www.connectsavannah.com//you-think-2020s-/Content

HSF is a proud supporter of local businesses. We couldn't do what we do without their partnership and outreach. A big thank you goes out to Chad Crawford, owner of 13 Secrets Jewelry Gallery, who was not only kind enough to design this beautiful volunteer award for last year's Gala, he's now displaying a replica of it at his new Plant Riverside District store! It's a perfect model of our Davenport House Museum made entirely from crystal -- gorgeous!

Cookbook author Chris Hendricks will be on WRUU 107.5 FM from noon-1 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 9 to talk about his latest book, "Old Southern Cookery!" Please tune in for what certainly will be an entertaining discussion, and if you haven't yet purchased your copy, please be sure to do so. Chris is kindly and very generously donating the book's proceeds to the Davenport House Museum! Contact the museum to buy a cookbook today!

As if a nationwide recession wasn't bad enough, January 11, 1820 added a new layer of drama to the mounting devastation. A massive fire destroys 463 commercial and residential buildings. Almost half the population of Savannah is suddenly homeless. Much-needed assistance comes from many towns and cities, some with unwelcome restrictions. Heavy rains follow, and stagnant water in burned-out ruins results in fever, fear and flight! What else can go wrong? Visit the Davenport House Museum throughout October to find out! #1820House https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfIL-5bKm74

Joy! Success! Prosperity! Thriving businesses, beautiful homes, attractive squares, a bustling port - all of this, and more, described Savannah in the early 19th Century. The city seemed invincible, but such joy could not be experienced without its defining sorrow. An economic downturn would soon take the wind out of the city's sails ... and then what happened? Visit the Davenport House Museum throughout October to find out! #1820House https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXKWUKDJFLE&t=93s