A grand façade of “Philadelphia Red” bricks. Forty windows and eight iron balconies. This, my friends, is the Mercer Williams House Museum. It stands proudly on Monterey Square, a silent witness to Savannah’s vibrant past. The Mercer Williams House has a story to tell, one woven with threads of architectural marvel, historical significance, and a touch of tragic mystery.
Designed in 1860 for General Hugh W. Mercer, the house’s construction was interrupted by the Civil War. General Mercer never lived within its walls, selling the unfinished property before its completion in 1868. The house passed through many hands, eventually finding its way to Jim Williams, a dedicated restorationist, in 1969. Williams painstakingly revived the Mercer Williams House, filling it with his impressive collection of antiques. He lived and worked within the house, operating his antique restoration business from the carriage house.
The Mercer Williams House has witnessed moments of both beauty and sorrow. In 1969, a young boy tragically fell from the roof, his life cut short by the house’s iron fence. Years later, the house became the scene of another tragedy, the shooting death of Danny Hansford. The controversy surrounding this event brought the Mercer Williams House into the national spotlight, inspiring the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Williams himself died in the same room where Hansford had perished years earlier, adding another layer of mystery to the house’s history.
Today, the Mercer Williams House Museum offers a glimpse into Savannah’s captivating past. Visitors can explore the first floor, admiring the architectural details and Williams’ carefully curated collection. The carriage house, once Williams’ workshop, now houses a museum shop. The Mercer Williams House Museum continues to stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of Savannah, a place where history and mystery intertwine.