Owens-Thomas House and Museum

Owens-Thomas House and Museum Review

Designed by William Jay, the Owens-Thomas House is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America. Built in 1816-19, the house was constructed with local materials. Of particular note are the curving walls of the house, Greek-inspired ornamental molding, half-moon arches, stained-glass panels, original Duncan Phyfe furniture, and the hardwood "bridge" on the second floor. The carriage house includes a gift shop and rare urban slave quarters, which have retained the original furnishings and "haint-blue" paint made by the slave occupants. This house had indoor toilets before the White House and the Palace of Versailles. If you have to choose just one or two house museums, let this be one. Owned and administered by the Telfair Museum of Art, this home gives an inside perspective on Savannah's history.