Touring the Juliette Gordon Low House in Historic Savannah, Georgia

The Juliette Gordon Low home in the Historic District of Savannah is one home you'll want to tour - whether you were a Girl Scout or not. I was a Girl Scout but I don't remember my leaders telling us much about Juliette Gordon Low, other than her name and maybe the year the Girl Scouts were founded. What a pity. Seeing the Juliette Gordon Low home gave me a greater appreciation for the history of the Girl Scouts and the interesting lady who cared enough to found this worthy organization. I recently toured the Juliette Gordon Low home while visiting Savannah and learned much about Juliette Gordon Low and her life in Savannah during the late 1800's.

It is interesting to note that the Juliette Gordon Low House was the city of Savannah's first National Historic Landmark, so you can be sure that this home is kept in excellent "touring" condition and guides will have plenty of fascinating stories to share. If you are wanting to tour more than one home in the historic district of Savannah, you'll find that the Juliette Gordon Low house is within easy walking distance of many of the "tour-able" homes in the Historic District. I visited the Gordon Low Birthplace on the same day that I toured the Owens-Thomas House and the Isaiah Davenport Home Museum.

What to Expect on Your Tour of the Juliette Gordon Low House in Savannah, Georgia

The Juliette Gordon Low home was built in the same time period as the other two homes I toured - 1821. Also like the Owens-Thomas House, the Juliette Gordon Low House was built in the English Regency Style and may have been designed by William Jay, the architect for the Owens-Thomas House. Unlike the Owens-Thomas Home, however, the Juliette Gordon Low house as you will tour it will be decorated as Low would have known it in the 1880's; meaning it is very Victorian in taste and furnishings. You'll be able to see several rooms of the home.

Juliette Gordon Low Home in Savannah, Georgia - Tour Highlights

According to our tour guide, the home's original owner was Savannah Mayor James Moore Wayne, who went on to become a Supreme Court Justice. Wayne sold the home in 1831 to his niece (Sarah) and her husband, William Washington Gordon - Juliette's grandfather. Because the house was passed on through the family during the 1800's, you'll be able to see not only furniture of the period that Juliette Gordon Low lived, but many pieces in the house that were owned and used by her and her family. Especially interesting is a beautiful portrait of Juliette that hangs above the fireplace. In addition, there are several pieces of artwork, including sculpture and a hand-decorated cabinet that were painted by Juliette Gordon Low.

"Daisy" as Juliette Gordon Low was affectionately called, was born in 1860. Growing up, she was especially interested in drawing, writing poetry and performing plays. Later she began sculpting and painting and always enjoyed having pets around her, particularly dogs and exotic birds.

What many people don't know is that Juliette Gordon Low was almost deaf. She had lost most of the hearing in one ear before she was married in 1886. Our tour guide told us that due to a piece of rice getting stuck in her ear during the wedding celebration, she lost all of her hearing in the other ear. Because of this, her interest in the arts was a comfort to her but she still looked for her calling in life.

She and her husband spent part of their time in Europe and it was during one of her trips in 1911 that she met Sir Robert Baden-Powell and learned about the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Juliette Gordon Low found this to be the perfect idea for American girls and the Girl Scouts were born soon after in Savannah in 1912. Her niece was the first registered Girl Scout and Juliette Gordon Low also made sure to include girls with disabilities - the Girl Scouts were one of the few groups during the 1800's to do this.

As our guide reminded us, the Juliette Gordon Low House is the birthplace of Juliette. As an adult and young wife, she lived with her husband in the Andrew Low Home, also in Savannah. You can tour this home, also.

Juliette Gordon Low House Gift Shop

The Juliette Gordon Low House Gift Shop is a wonderful place to stop for gifts for Girl Scouts and other items that kids will enjoy. Adults will delight in the Victorian period items for sale, too. If you tour during Girl Scout Cookie Season, you may be lucky enough to purchase some Tagalongs or your favorite cookie from cute Girl Scouts as you exit the gift shop. It makes a sweet way to end your tour.

Juliette Gordon Low House - Location and Tour Hours

10 East Oglethorpe Avenue
Savannah, GA 31401-3707
Phone: (912) 233-4501
Hours: November - February
Monday - Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Wednesday: Closed
Sunday: 11am - 4pm

March - October
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 4pm
Sunday: 11am - 4pm

Cost: Adults - $8
Students - $7
Children under 5 - Free
Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $25
Discounted tickets off the above prices are available for Girl Scouts and their leaders

Of courses, times and prices are always subject to change.

Group reservations for Girl Scout Troops can be booked on-line and many special events and tours, such as the Girl Scout Heritage Tour, are held at the Juliette Gordon Low House throughout the year.

The Juliette Gordon Low website is an excellent place to plan your tour of the home. It includes pages of information as well as down-loadable brochures of events, tours, and an excellent map of the Historic District of Savannah.

Sources:

Girl Scouts Online, GirlScouts.org
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, Juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org