Things to Do in Savannah

Of all the squares in historic Savannah, Columbia Square is the most serene and devoid of swarms of crowds. Originally constructed in 1799, Columbia Square is punctuated today by the historic Wormsloe Fountain, which once graced the grounds of the Wormsloe Plantation"”one of the earliest settlements in Georgia. It's also the site of the immaculate Kehoe House that was built in 1893, and despite the fact that it's rumored to be haunted, it thrives today as one of Savannah's most luxurious bed and breakfasts. Also here on Columbia Square is the historic Davenport House, which was originally built in 1820 and saved in 1955. With the city threatening demolition, a group of women in downtown Savannah raised funds to purchase the house, and the move would lead to the eventual establishment of the Historic Savannah Foundation"”a group that has helped to preserve and restore over 400 buildings downtown.

Part of the Savannah Historic District, Madison Square was named after the fourth U.S. president and added in 1837. The square also commemorates Sgt. William Jasper, a Savannah native of the Revolutionary War who was mortally wounded in battle but managed to heroically retrieve his company's banner. Many local Savannah natives refer to this as Jasper Square in his honor. 

In the center of Madison Square sits the William Jasper Monument, as well as a granite marker that defines the southern limit of the British defenses. Look for two cannons from the Savannah Armory on the southern part of the square, which represent Georgia's first two highways. These are the starting points of the Ogeechee Road leading to Darien and the Augusta Road to Augusta. 

Madison Square leads to other notable sights in the Savannah Historic District. Looking toward the west side of the square, you will find St. John's Episcopal Church with the Green-Meldrim House just next door. On the northwest side of Madison Square is the Sorrel-Weed House, one of the city's most imposing mansions. On the southwest corner of Madison Square stands the Masonic Temple, previously a Scottish Rite temple. There is a beautifully restored Greek Revival mansion on the northeast corner, but it remains in private hands. Note the adjacent building that is integrated into it, E. Shafer Books & Maps, one of Savannah's oldest and best known independent bookstores. 

The city of Savannah has a rich history unlike anywhere else in the US, and the Massie Heritage Center is one of the best places to hear Savannah's story. Learn why Oglethorpe designed Savannah in a large, square-laden grid, and hear Savannah's maritime past or the history of its most famous buildings. Occasionally, the heritage center will hold special events, such as guided walking tours that showcase the city's plantation or Civil War past, or the interactive Georgia History Festival that's held each year in February. Located in Georgia's oldest public school building, the Massie Heritage Center is filled with numerous hands on and interactive activities, so visitors of all ages can bring the past of this colonial city to life. With its wood cupola and gabled roof, the building is a classic site in itself and indicative of colonial architecture, and the center is considered a "must-stop" spot for learning the history of Savannah.