Contemplate the five limestone sculptures standing guard. These master artists watch over the entrance to the Telfair Academy. Welcome to the oldest public art museum in the South. It is made up of three unique buildings. We are standing in front of the Telfair Academy.
The Telfair Academy’s story began with Mary Telfair. She was a visionary Savannahian. In 1875, Mary bequeathed her home to the Georgia Historical Society. She wanted it opened as a museum. This happened in 1886. The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences was born.
This building was once a mansion. It was built for Alexander Telfair. He was the son of Georgia governor Edward Telfair. The mansion dates back to 1818-1819. British architect William Jay designed it. He used the neoclassical Regency style.
Later, architect Detlef Lienau renovated the building. He added the Sculpture Gallery and the Rotunda. These adaptations made the Telfair Academy what it is today.
The Telfair Academy is one of three Telfair Museums sites. The Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters is another. It is also a National Historic Landmark. The Jepson Center for the Arts completes the trio. Each building represents its time. Each houses a corresponding collection. Together, they bridge centuries of art and architecture. They show the continuum of art and history in Savannah.
The Owens-Thomas House is another William Jay design. It is a prime example of English Regency architecture. The site features a historic house museum. It also has decorative art from the late 18th to early 19th centuries. You’ll also find rare intact urban slave quarters and a lovely garden.
George Welshman Owens purchased the house in 1830. He was a wealthy planter, lawyer, and politician. In 1951, his granddaughter donated the home to Telfair Museums. It became the first house museum in the city.
The Jepson Center opened in 2006. Architect Moshe Safdie designed it. This contemporary building explores art through architecture and public art. These are crucial to Savannah’s character.
The Telfair Academy has been expanded and renovated over the years. In 1886, the expanded Telfair mansion opened to the public. It featured three preserved nineteenth-century period rooms. These included a unique octagonal drawing room. There was also a round-ended dining room and a grand staircase.
The Telfair Academy’s four-columned portico faces Telfair Square. Its classically Greek and Roman inspired entablature is repeated throughout the building. The five limestone sculptures at the entrance represent master artists. They are Michelangelo, Phidias, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Raphael. Each figure towers over seven feet tall.
The Telfair Academy has also made its mark on the silver screen. It appeared in Amazon’s limited series, The Underground Railroad. The Owens-Thomas House has served as a backdrop for period pieces. Even the Jepson Center has played a role. It doubled as a modern-day courthouse in Hulu’s The Girl From Plainville.
So, as you explore the Telfair Academy today, remember its rich history. Think of Mary Telfair’s vision. Consider the many artists whose works grace these walls. This is more than just a museum. It’s a journey through time and art.