Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences
Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 30, 2009
1. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences Marker
Created under the Will of Miss Mary Telfair (c. 1789-1875), the Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences opened as the first public art museum in the Southeast with a preliminary private showing February 12, 1885.
After extensive remodeling and additions, with Detlef Lienau of New York as architect, the building was formally dedicated May 3, 1886. Among the prominent persons who attended the dedication were: Jefferson Davis and his daughter, Winnie Davis; Charles C. Jones, historian; General A.R. Lawton; General Henry R. Jackson; General G. Moxley Sorrel; Col. John Screven and Col. Charles Olmstead.
Carl L. Brandt, N.A., served as Telfairs first Director, 1883-1905.
Erected 1956 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-38B.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1732.
Location. 32° 4.725′ N, 81° 5.698′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. It is on Barnard Street near President Street, on the right when traveling south. Located opposite St. James
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Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, 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: Telfair Academy (a few steps from this marker); Trinity Methodist Church (a few steps from this marker); Telfair Family Mansion (a few steps from this marker); George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Pete Liakakis Government Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Patricks Day Parade (about 500 feet away); John Wesley (about 500 feet away); Tondee's Tavern (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Regarding Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences. Due to the popularity of the novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil by John Berendt, and movie, the Bird Girl Statue had to be removed from the Bonaventure Cemetery and can now be viewed at the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah.
Originally a family townhouse; became a free art museum in 1886
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
2. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences Marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
3. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences Marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008
4. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences
Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
5. The Museum National Register of Historic Places:
Telfair Academy *** (added 1976 - - #76000612)
Also known as Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences
121 Barnard Street
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Brandt,Carl N., Jay,William
♦ Architectural Style: No Style Listed
♦ Area of Significance: Art, Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1875-1899, 1800-1824
♦ Owner: Private
♦ Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
♦ Historic Sub-function: Museum
♦ Current Function: Recreation And Culture
♦ Current Sub-function: Museum
6. The Bird Girl Statue featured in “Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil”
The statue is by Sylvia Shaw Judson.
Historic American Buildings Survey, 1936
7. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences
Historic American Engineering Record HABS GA,26-SAV,21-1
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 30, 2009
8. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences Rembrandt Statue
Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 30, 2009
9. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences Michelangelo Statue
Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 30, 2009
10. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences Phidias Statue
Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 30, 2009
11. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences Raphael Statue
Photographed by Mike Stroud, August 30, 2009
12. Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences Rubens Statue
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 5,093 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on February 19, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on December 26, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on February 19, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on June 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. submitted on August 30, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
