Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Home of Nicholas Ware

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022

1. Home of Nicholas Ware Marker

Inscription. Nicholas Ware was born in Virginia in 1777. Ware was the son of Revolutionary War veteran Captain Robert Ware and moved to Augusta with his family as a child. He served as Mayor of Augusta from 1819-1821, later serving several times in the state legislature, and was US Senator from Georgia from 1821 until his death in 1824. Ware County, Georgia, was named for him. This house was built by Ware as his home in 1818 and was known as “Ware's Folly.” It is believed that it was designed or inspired by Gabriel Manigault, the noted Charleston architect. It is now owned by the Gertrude Herbert Memorial Institute of Art.

Erected 2021 by Georgia Historical Society. (Marker Number 121-24.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.

Location. 33° 28.192′ N, 81° 57.649′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is at the intersection of Telfair Street and Button Gwinnett Street, on the right when traveling east on Telfair Street.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 Telfair St, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue (within shouting distance of this marker); Gates of Repentance (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Richmond County Court of Ordinary (about 300 feet away); Amanda America Dickson Toomer (about 300 feet away); The Riot of May 11-12, 1970 (about 500 feet away); The Old Government House (about 500 feet away); Richmond County (about 600 feet away); Medical College Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Other markers

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 11, 2022

2. Home of Nicholas Ware Marker

no longer nearby. Congregation Children of Israel (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Old Richmond Academy Building (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Nicholas Ware. Wikipedia entry on the lawyer, planter, slaveholder and politician. (Submitted on June 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. ExcerptConstruction of the home in which the institute is housed was completed in 1818. The building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in the Federal style the house is notable for its three-story elliptical staircase. The building bears the nickname Ware's Folly, which derives from the high cost of the construction, $40,000 in 1818 or c. $12 million in 2007, and the extravagant interior detailing.< (Submitted on May 25, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Additional commentary.
1. National Register of Historic Places
The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art was listed on the NRHP March 20, 1973.

— Submitted May 25, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.

Sen. Nicholas Ware image. Click for full size.

Courtesy U.S. Senate Historical Office (Public Domain)

3. Sen. Nicholas Ware

Home of Nicholas Ware image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 10, 2025

4. Home of Nicholas Ware

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 10, 2025

5. Home of Nicholas Ware Marker

The Nicholas Ware home has been the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art since 1937.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,102 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4, 5. submitted on May 25, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.