Savannah Historic District Tour by The Wandering Historians
Duration: 2 hours
We've been unearthing and telling the untold story of Savannah for over 30 years now. That's who we are. We do this through capable historians, librarians, writers, archivists, genealogists, and storytellers who have met the strictest standards of Shannon Scott. Hopefully, that speaks to you. We begin at the beginning in Savannah's Colonial areas and weave not just the parables, but the next great story chapters of Georgia's earliest settlers from ancient mound builders, Indians, Europeans, and Africans and the story of its architects, religions, women, Industrialists, Freemasons, epic wars and much more in what will become your favorite history tour! All told by colorful characters themselves through their own eyes of understanding with humanity, intellect, humor, and everything that encompasses one of America's and The South's greatest, perhaps most surprising city melting pot of stories!
Additional Information:
Itinerary
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Passes by: Savannah Historic DistrictWe explore the oldest, and most architecturally significant areas of Georgia's first city and America's first planned city.
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Stops at: Johnson SquareThe city's largest square, often called Bank Square by locals, is where the colony was first organized in 1733 and became central to its culture and commerce as it still does today. Home to City Hall, the burials of Washington's 2nd in Command, Nathanael Greene, his son George Washington Greene, The Church of England and much more.Duration: 10 minutes
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Passes by: Savannah City HallErected in 1906, the former site of the 1799 City Exchange is where city government flows from today with its 22-carat gold dome.
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Stops at: Wright SquareOne of Savannah's most charming of city squares and one of the original 4 squares laid out during Oglethorpe's founding period. Originally home to the first burying ground, courthouse, jail and eventual burial site of the Indian King, Tomochichi. Few squares have as much history.Duration: 10 minutes
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Passes by: Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace MuseumWhile this is a touring home business and we do not enter it, we do spend quality time at this location. This 1820 home built by prodigy architect, William Jay, first housed a U.S. Supreme Court Judge, but would become central to the grand family of The Gordons, daughter Juliette Low, arguably the most famous for her Girl Scouts of The USA. This family however is a great American tale of immigrants who became pioneers who became industrialists and military and the women's history level with Juliette Low in the mix, a dynamic family story of The American Dream realized.
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Passes by: Independent Presbyterian ChurchWith its towering 119ft cast iron steeple as the highest point in the city, this 1819 architectural wonder built by John Holden Greene is one of the religious epicenters of Savannah, particularly its Scottish heritage. Woodrow Wilson married in the courtyard.
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Stops at: Chippewa SquareYet another city masterpiece with both Colonial & Victorian rowhouses, churches, inns, pubs, coffeehouses Savannah Theater and monument of Georgia's Founder, Oglethorpe done by Lincoln Memorial sculptor, Daniel Chester French.Duration: 10 minutes
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Passes by: Madison SquareWith every square, is a new wonder on the eyes, mind and spirit. Madison Square with its wonderful book seller, two tea houses and 2 of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture and Greek Revival in America with other monuments, its a square you'll get lost in and we'll help you! The Savannah College of Art & Design, America's largest private art school, was founded here in 1976 inside of The Chatham Artillery.
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Passes by: The Old Sorrel Weed House Museum & ToursWhile this is a touring home business and we do not enter it, we do spend quality time at this location. An early Cotton Boom masterpiece and often called The Finest Example of Greek Revival Architecture in America, this touring home has become a modern paranormal phenomenon if because in part, our company's founder, Shannon Scott, was the producer on the Ghost Hunter's episode that made it such a successful attraction! We discuss The Sorrel & Weed families who were empire level agrarian names of The Victorian Age.
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Passes by: E Shaver BooksellerThis classic English appearing bookseller and teahouse is one of the most popular stores in the entire city and connected to The Eliza Jewett Home who was one of Savannah's empire women.
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Passes by: Green-Meldrim HouseWhile this is a touring home business and we do not enter it, we do spend quality time at this location. This 1853 Gothic Revival Home was built complete with gas powered jet air conditioning by New York architect, Robert Norris. Some credit owner, Charles Green with saving Savannah from Sherman's wrath by offering him his personal house to serve as his resident headquarters for the 8 weeks that General Sherman occupied the city.Visited by Harper's Weekly in December of 1865 where they illustrated Sherman and his Generals' roundtable style, where Sherman sent President Lincoln our fair city as a Christmas gift.
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Stops at: Gryphon Tea RoomInside this massive Roman-styled Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, now owned by The Savannah College of Art & Design, is a tea room that has shared few rivals as far as Victorian authenticity and delicious fare. True Savannahians remember it as Solomon's Drugstore where most of the original interior is derived. Place of sheer beauty!Duration: 5 minutes
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Stops at: Monterey SquareAmong locals, and tourists, Monterey Square usually takes the prize as the city's most beautiful, serene and European. Home to towering rowhouses, some Barbados style, this is where Poland's greatest hero, Count Casimir Pulaski was laid to rest in 1779, where Jeff Davis hid out during The Civil War, and where famous preservation names like Lee & Emma Adler resided until their recent deaths. No tour would be complete without The Mercer House famed to Midnight In The Garden of Good & Evil. Also stopping by The Temple Mickve IsraelDuration: 10 minutes
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Stops at: Pulaski MonumentTo put it simply, there is no finer monument in Savannah, and to the people of Poland, no greater hero. Designed and installed by the Latvian sculptor, R.E. Launitz, and where much controversy occurred when an international debate arose as to who's remains were under the monument and were they actually Pulaski's? The debate will shock you as will the prevailing mystery!Duration: 5 minutes
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Passes by: Congregation Mickve IsraelWhile there is a paid-to museum here, we do not patron interior but spend quality time at the location outside. It shocks and amazes when you tell people that there's a Jewish community this old, and this far South. Savannah claims America's 3rd oldest and to make it extra interesting, the most antique congregation of them attends Temple inside of a Christian styled building. The Temple Mickve holds the oldest Torah in the world at over 1100 years of age and we share with our guests, the most unconventional wisdom about why this all occurred but far closer to the real story than simply the parable!
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Passes by: Alex Raskin AntiquesFor over 30 years, notable Savannah character, Alex Raskin, sold some of the city's most amazing antiques out of the opulent and towering Colonel Hardee Mansion with its stunning cast iron window lintels and wrap-around, decorative balcony along with one of the few surviving grand cupolas. Sold recently to The Ralson College for over 5 million dollars.
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Passes by: Armstrong HouseThis recently restored 1917 mansion, complete with sweeping lion's paw colonnade, is now the private home of hotelier, native Savannahian, Richard Kessler, who founded The Day's Inn company in 1980. Originally the private home of shipping great, George Armstrong, his widow later donating it to the school. It was sold to Jim Williams who lived there prior to moving into The Mercer House. Also featured in the 1962 film, Cape Fear starring Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck.
Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Includes:
- Guided Narrated Tour
Additional Information:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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