The Owens-Thomas House Tour in Savannah, Georgia: A Review

The Owens-Thomas House in the Historic District of Savannah, Georgia is a definite must-see if you are interested in viewing Savannah's historic homes from the early nineteenth century. I recently toured the Owens-Thomas House on the same day that I toured the nearby Isaiah Davenport House.

Both houses make a delightful touring experience if you are visiting the Historic District of Savannah for the first time or just a short time. They offer a nice comparison and contrast of two houses built in the same time period and for two different lifestyles.

What to Expect on Your Tour of the Owens-Thomas House in Savannah's Historic District

When you tour the Owens-Thomas House in the Historic District of Savannah, you will begin to see how families "of means" were living in Savannah during the early 1820's. According to our tour guide, the Owens-Thomas house was started in 1816 and completed in 1819 by the famous British architect William Jay. Unlike many nearby simple frame houses built of wood or brick, the Owens-Thomas House reflects Jay's taste for English Regency architecture which predates the Greek Revival architecture that can be found in Savannah in later years.

The Owens-Thomas House is constructed mostly of tabby, which, if you spend very much time in the coastal Georgia area, you will learn was a building material native to the area. Tabby is a mixture of local sand, lime, and the plentiful coastal oyster shells. Jay covered the tabby with stucco in a honey color and scored it to resemble stone blocks. He also used an imported artificial stone known as coadestone in other places on the house.

You might be surprised to learn that the original owners of the home were not named Owens but were the Richardsons. Richard Richardson was the first president of the Bank of the United States in Savannah. Frances was the sister-in-law to Ann Jay Bolton - William Jay's sister - so Jay's connection to the family were a great help in his selection to build this fine home.

As is so often the case, the original owners of these homes rarely seem to get to spend much time in them. Caught in the financial setbacks and ensuing depression of 1822, Richard Richardson experienced monetary loss and had to sell his fine home to his Bank of the United States.

For many years this fine home was established as a boarding house - just as was the Isaiah Davenport house - but a more elegant one, to be sure. Guests included the Marquis de Lafayette. After several years, the home was purchased by George Welshman Owens for what seems the incredibly small sum of $10,000. Even more amazing, the Owens-Thomas home then managed to stay in the family until 1951 when Owens' granddaughter, Miss Margaret Thomas, deeded it to the Telfair Museum.

Owens-Thomas House Highlights

Many facets of the Owens-Thomas House make it very worth touring. Our guide told us that the Owens-Thomas House has one of the most extensive plumbing systems for its time period including running water, baths, and water closets, as well as cisterns. Amber-colored glass can be found in windows near the ceiling, giving a beautiful light to some of the rooms. As can be found in many houses during the time period, the use of faux finishes add personality to the rooms. Our tour guide pointed out the tromp l'oeil ceiling in the drawing room, which adds a distinct raised dome effect.

You will get to see the bedroom where it is believed that the Marquis de Lafayette slept and the small balcony where he gave his speech, completely in French - which none of the attendees understood - the tour guide humorously shared with us. In addition, you'll get to hear stories of the inhabitants of the house, particularly the Owens family. Evidently, the Owens granddaughter who last stayed in the house was quite a character and our tour guide speculated that was why she stayed "Miss" Margaret Thomas.

As you go down the stairs to the basement, you'll see the tabby structure and some of the old original plumbing of the house. The gardens outside of the house are not original to the house but were installed in the 1950's. Again, this is in comparison with the Isaiah Davenport House Museum where a beautiful garden replaces the small dirt yard that was most likely there during the 1820's. Probably the garden area of the Owens-Thomas house was a carriage turn-around because the gardens sit between the main house and the carriage house and slave quarters.

The Owens-Thomas House has done an excellent job of documenting the history of slavery during the time period in Savannah. An well-informed guide was available in the slave quarters to discuss the work of the slaves, where they slept, and how they lived. The building even shows off "haint blue." If you don't know what that is, you'll have to come to the Owens-Thomas House while you are touring the historic district of Savannah to find out!

Why You'll Want to Visit the Owens-Thomas House in Savannah, Georgia

You will enjoy touring the Owens-Thomas House because of its historical significance, its beauty, and the quality of the restoration. The Telfair Museum has done an excellent job with this home. It is located on one of the historic squares in Savannah, Oglethorpe Square, which puts it within easy walking distance of many other attractions. It has the distinction of being built by William Jay, one of the first professionally trained architects to be found building houses in the United States. The house is in excellent condition because it has had the good fortune of staying in one family for over 175 years. And even a significant amount of the furniture you will see belonged to the Owens family. There are even a few pieces to see that belonged to the very first owners, the Richardsons.

Owens-Thomas House Gift Shop

You will also enjoy the lovely gift shop in the Carriage House which includes books, paintings, jewelry, and garden accessories, just to name a few items. Like the Davenport House, this is another very well done gift shop that you will want to visit even if you don't have time to tour the Owens-Thomas House.

How to Visit the Owens-Thomas House

124 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31401

(912) 233 9743
Tours are given daily at 30 minute intervals. Last tour begins at 4:30pm.
Tours depart from the Orientation Gallery in the Owens-Thomas
Carriage House.

Fees
$7 per adult
$4 per (K-12) student
Prices subject to change, of course.
Check with the Telfair Museum for a combination ticket that is good for all museums for a week's time.

Sources:

Telfair Museum of Art, Owens-Thomas House
Kelly-Denslow and Associates, William Jay in America, www.denslow.com