Perhaps a tabby cat will cross your path here. Welcome to the Davenport House Museum. This stately Federal-style home offers a glimpse into 1820s domestic life. It stands as a testament to Savannah’s preservation renaissance.
Isaiah Davenport built this house for his family. He was a master carpenter and “Savannah’s Master Builder”. He was a mysterious figure but influential. No photos of him exist.
Davenport moved to Savannah around 1808. Before that, he was a carpenter’s apprentice in Massachusetts. He built his first house in Savannah that same year.
In 1820, Davenport began building this house. He incorporated Georgia-inspired architecture into the Federal-style mansion. Other architects admired his skill. Many considered the Davenport House the epitome of Southern architecture.
The city hired Davenport to build temporary shelters. This happened after the Great Savannah Fire in 1820. He was also an alderman and firemaster.
Isaiah Davenport died from Yellow Fever in 1827 at age 43. His wife Sarah was left with six children and many debts. She took charge of the finances and assets. Sarah rented out rooms in the Davenport House and even her slaves. She sold properties and paid off debts. She oversaw the construction of Isaiah’s sawmill. Sarah prospered.
In 1840, Sarah sold the Davenport House to the Banyan Family. The Banyans abandoned the home. By the 1930s, the house became rundown.
In 1955, the Davenport House faced demolition. Seven women banded together to save it. They formed the Historic Savannah Foundation. They restored the Davenport House and used it as their headquarters.
The Davenport House is now a museum. It offers tours and events. The museum interprets the period from 1820 to 1827. This reflects when the Davenports lived here. Two inventories guide the interpretation one from Isaiah’s death and one from his estate sale.
Archaeology played a role too. A 2014 dig in the garden revealed artifacts. These are now on display in the Urban Enslaved Exhibition.
The Davenport House is believed to be haunted. Visitors report phantom footsteps and voices. Some feel cold spots. A gray mist sometimes appears.
One ghost is a tabby cat. It follows tour guides and watches guests. Children seem especially drawn to it. Another ghost is a young girl. She appears in the windows or yard. She may have been a Yellow Fever victim.
The Davenport House Museum’s mission is clear. It preserves and interprets the house and its artifacts. It focuses on the years 1820-1827. The goal is to educate visitors about all who lived here. This includes both free and enslaved people. The museum also recognizes its role in founding the Historic Savannah Foundation. You can buy tickets in the gift shop which once was a pharmacy.
So, as you explore, remember Isaiah’s craftsmanship, Sarah’s resilience, and the stories within these walls. The Davenport House stands as a symbol of preservation and a window into Savannah’s past.