The Architectural Beauty of Savannah Is Credited to Like-Minded People

Savannah, Georgia is the oldest city in the state, with over 1,000 architectural structures that have great historical significance. Truth be told, you can’t bring up Savannah without mentioning Anna Colquitt Hunter and the impending destruction of the Isaiah Davenport House.

Isaiah Davenport — the man was a master craftsman and builder. It has been said that he was way ahead of his time. This was before power tools and electricity had been invented; his craftsmanship was so detailed and strong that he set the standard for his excellence, and his work stood the test of time. He was responsible for many of the homes that were built in the early 1800s in Savannah. Some of Davenport’s accomplishments were his restoration of Savannah’s historical squares, the construction of a Martello tower, and many others once he partnered with the federal government.

Davenport built his own house known as the Isaiah Davenport House which was considered one of the greatest examples of Georgian architectural style. His life was surrounded by death, as he and his wife had ten children, but only six survived. Legend says that the Isaiah Davenport House still holds the ghosts of his dead children. Before his death at the age of 43, Davenport served as city alderman. He also became a firemaster, and was also a constable for Columbia Ward.

Fast forward to 1955, by now Savannah was a bit run down and needed to rebuild, so Anna Colquitt Hunter, who was a news writer and painter, got a group of wealthy like-minded ladies together (wealthy wives of aristocrats) and together they formed the Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF).

The HSF had saved and rebuilt many buildings, but were limited as destiny had other plans. With the resources and ability, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) took over. They had the capability to restore large historical buildings across Savannah. The total count was 68 buildings that SCAD have restored in the last 40 years.

SCAD also launched its first international location in Lacoste, south of France in 2002; then in 2004, SCAD restored the previous home of Equifax in Atlanta to the college’s main campus, and in 2009 SCAD opened a campus in Hong Kong.

It takes like-minded people to create a strong foundation that can restore, preserve and ultimately make institutions of higher learning global; along the way, the little cobblestone city of Savannah was restored to its current architectural beauty.

From the ADG Factory Floor

 The first of six bronze fountains for a favorite client. Thanks Joey G, our Senior Coordinator of everything! 

by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting