Wormsloe State Historic Site and Plantation in Savannah, GA

Wormsloe Historic Site is a special place in Savannah, Georgia. It’s a mix of history and nature that many people love to visit. When you go there, you’ll see beautiful oak trees lining the entrance. You’ll also find old buildings and a museum that tells stories from long ago. It’s like stepping into a time machine!

Wormsloe Historic Site History

Wormsloe has been around for a very long time. It all started in 1733 when a man named Noble Jones came to live there. Jones was one of the first English people to settle in Georgia. He built a house and started a farm, which people back then called a plantation.

Noble Jones’s Roles

Noble Jones wasn’t just a farmer. He did many important jobs:

• He was a doctor who helped sick people.
• He made maps of the land.
• He was part of a group that made decisions for the colony.

Jones was friends with James Oglethorpe, who was in charge of starting the Georgia Colony. Together, they worked to build and protect their new home.

Wormsloe wasn’t just a farm. It was also a fort to protect Savannah and the coast. Noble Jones built a strong house using a special kind of mud and sticks. This house helped keep people safe from attacks.

Today, Wormsloe covers more than 822 acres of land. That’s about as big as 622 football fields! The Nature Conservancy, a group that protects nature, looks after the land.

What You Can See at Wormsloe Today

When you visit Wormsloe, you can see many interesting things:

• The oldest building in Savannah.
• 400 beautiful oak trees that make the entrance look magical.
• Old buildings from the 1700s.
• A museum with items from long ago.

The Jones Family and Wormsloe

After Noble Jones, his family continued to live at Wormsloe for many years. Some important family members were:

• Elfirda de Renne Barrow
• George Wymberley Jones

These people helped take care of Wormsloe and its history.

The Jones family knew how special Wormsloe was. They worked with the state of Georgia to make sure it would be protected forever. In 1979, Wormsloe became an official historic site. This means it’s a protected place where people can learn about history.

Why is it Called Wormsloe?

The name “Wormsloe” has an interesting story behind it. It all started with Noble Jones, the man who first built this place. Jones came from England, and he wanted to remember his old home. So he named his new home after a place in England called Wormelow Tump, or just Wormelow.

Wormelow is a village in a part of England called Herefordshire. Jones changed the spelling a bit, and that’s how we got “Wormsloe.” By doing this, Jones was keeping a connection to his family’s history. Even years later, his great-great-grandson, who had a long name – Wymberley Wormsloe de Renne – kept using the Wormsloe name.

Why Wormsloe Was Important

Wormsloe wasn’t just a farm. It was a very important place for keeping Georgia safe in the early days of American history. Here’s why:

• It helped protect Savannah: Savannah is a big city now, but back then, it was new and needed protection.
• Noble Jones built a strong house: Jones knew how to build things to keep people safe. He made a house that was like a small fort. People called it a “tabby house” because of how it was built.
• It watched over the coast: From Wormsloe, people could see if any enemies were coming by sea.
• Jones built other forts too: He didn’t just protect Wormsloe. He helped build forts all along Georgia’s coast.
• Jones had military experience: He used to be in the marines, so he knew a lot about keeping places safe.

How Wormsloe Became a Historic Site

As time passed, Noble Jones’ family kept living at Wormsloe. They started to realize how special this place was. They wanted to make sure it would be protected forever. Here’s how that happened:

• The family cared about history: They knew Wormsloe had important stories to tell.
• They worked with Georgia: The family and the state of Georgia worked together to protect Wormsloe.
• They started a foundation: In 1973, the family created the Wormsloe Foundation to help take care of the place.
• It became official: In 1979, Wormsloe became an official historic site. This means the government promised to protect it.
• Teamwork: Now, the state of Georgia, the Wormsloe Foundation, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources all work together to take care of Wormsloe.

The Famous Tree-Lined Entrance

One of the most beautiful things about Wormsloe is its entrance. It’s called the Avenue of Oaks. Here’s what makes it so special:

• Lots of trees: There are over 400 oak trees lining the entrance.
• It’s very long: The tree-lined road is about 1.5 miles long.
• It’s like a green tunnel: The trees make a canopy over the road, like a natural roof.
• It’s very old: These trees were planted in the 1890s by one of Noble Jones’ great-grandchildren.
• It’s beautiful: Many people come just to take pictures of this amazing entrance.
• It tells a story: These trees have been standing for over 100 years, watching as history happened around them.

The Avenue of Oaks is more than just a pretty entrance. It’s a living part of Wormsloe’s history, connecting us to the people who lived here long ago.

Wormsloe Ruins

When you visit Wormsloe, one of the most interesting things you’ll see is the Wormsloe Ruins. These are the remains of the house that Noble Jones built back in the 1730s. It’s not a complete house anymore, but what’s left can teach us a lot about how people lived almost 300 years ago.

The house was built using something called tabby. Tabby is a special building material made from oyster shells, lime, sand, and water. It might sound strange, but it was very useful for building strong houses back then. Even though the house is mostly gone now, you can still see the basic shape of it. Noble Jones designed this house to be strong and safe, like a small fort.

When you walk around the ruins, you’ll see signs that explain what you’re looking at. These signs help you understand what life was like for the people who lived here long ago. If you want to learn even more, you can join a tour. The tour guides know lots of interesting stories about the ruins and the people who used to live there.

Wormsloe Historic Site’s Museum and Visitor Center

After you’ve seen the ruins, you should definitely visit the Wormsloe Museum. The museum is in the visitor center, and it’s full of interesting things that help tell the story of Wormsloe.

In the museum, you’ll find exhibits that explain how Noble Jones and other early settlers lived. You’ll learn about the challenges they faced and the things they accomplished. The museum doesn’t just tell you about Wormsloe; it also helps you understand what was happening in all of Georgia during colonial times.

One of the coolest things about the museum is its collection of old objects. These are things that were found at Wormsloe and in the areas nearby. You can see tools that people used, pieces of pottery, old weapons, and other everyday items. Looking at these objects helps you imagine what life was really like for the people who lived here long ago.

Things to Do at Wormsloe

Wormsloe isn’t just about old buildings and museum exhibits. There’s plenty to do outdoors too. The site has several walking and hiking trails that you can explore. These trails take you through beautiful forests and marshlands, and some even lead to old structures from the Civil War.

If you like an easy walk, you can try the Nature Trail. It’s not too hard, so it’s good for people of all ages. But if you want more of a challenge, you might like the Battery Trail. This one is a bit tougher, but it takes you to some really interesting old structures.

While you’re walking on these trails, keep your eyes open for birds and other animals. Wormsloe is home to many different kinds of birds, including woodpeckers and birds that live near water. You might also see deer or raccoons. If you like taking pictures of nature, Wormsloe is a great place to do it.

Wormsloe in the Movies

Believe it or not, Wormsloe has been in movies too! The beautiful tree-lined entrance, called the Avenue of Oaks, has been used as a backdrop in some films. One famous movie that was partly filmed here is “The Last Song,” which starred Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth. The movie came out in 2009, and it used Wormsloe’s beautiful scenery to help tell its story.

Wormsloe Historic Site Entrance Fee

If you want to visit Wormsloe, it’s a good idea to check their website first. The website will tell you when Wormsloe is open and how much it costs to visit. Sometimes, the hours or prices might change, or there might be special events happening. Checking the website helps you plan your visit better.

Wormsloe Historic Site Tours

One of the best ways to learn about Wormsloe is to take a tour. The tour guides at Wormsloe know a lot about its history, and they’re excited to share what they know. They can tell you stories about the early settlers, like George Frederick Tilghman Jones and Noble Wimberly Jones. They’ll also talk about how the old fort-like house was built and what life was like for people during colonial times.

The tours don’t just focus on the men who lived at Wormsloe. They also talk about important women, like Mary Jones Bulloch. Learning about these different people helps you understand all the different parts of Wormsloe’s history.

If you want to take a tour, it’s a good idea to check when they’re available. You can look on the website or call Wormsloe to find out. Taking a tour can really help you get the most out of your visit to this fascinating historic site.

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How to Get to Wormsloe Historic Site?

Wormsloe Historic Site is a beautiful place to visit in Savannah, Georgia. It’s located at 7601 Skidaway Road, Savannah, GA 31406. If you’re planning to visit, here’s how you can get there.

Driving from Downtown Savannah: If you’re starting your trip from downtown Savannah, it’s pretty easy to get to Wormsloe by car. First, you’ll want to head south on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. When you get to West Gwinnett Street, turn left. You’ll see signs for US-80 East, so you’ll know you’re on the right track.

As you drive, you’ll need to merge onto GA-25 South/US-17 South. Look for signs that point to I-16. Once you’re on this road, keep going for about a mile and a half. Then, you’ll see a ramp that leads to GA-21 South/US-80 East. Take this ramp and drive for about 4 miles.

After those 4 miles, you’ll turn left onto Skidaway Road. This is the final stretch of your journey. Drive along Skidaway Road for about 6 miles, and you’ll see Wormsloe Historic Site on your left. It’s hard to miss because of the beautiful tree-lined entrance!

Driving from Forsyth Park: If you’re starting your trip from Forsyth Park, which is another popular spot in Savannah, the route is a bit different. First, you’ll head east on Park Avenue. When you get to Drayton Street, turn right.

Stay on Drayton Street until you reach Victory Drive, which is also known as US-80 East. Turn left onto Victory Drive. As you keep driving, Victory Drive will change its name to Skidaway Road, but don’t worry – you’re still on the right path!

Just like in the directions from downtown, you’ll drive along Skidaway Road for about 6 miles. Keep your eyes open, and you’ll see Wormsloe Historic Site on your left.

Using Public Transportation: If you don’t have a car, getting to Wormsloe can be a bit tricky. The local bus service, called Chatham Area Transit (or CAT for short), might have buses that go near Wormsloe. However, the options are pretty limited.

If you want to try using the bus, it’s a good idea to check with CAT first. You can look at their website or give them a call to find out about the latest bus routes and schedules. They’ll be able to tell you if there’s a bus that can get you close to Wormsloe.

Parking at Wormsloe

No matter which way you drive to Wormsloe, you’ll be happy to know that there’s plenty of parking when you get there. The site has a parking area for visitors, so you don’t need to worry about finding a spot for your car.

Conclusion

If you’re in the mood for a little history and want to see some beautiful live oaks, then Wormsloe Historic Site is definitely worth a visit.

Although it’s not the largest or most popular historic site in Savannah, it’s definitely one of the most unique, and its setting among the Spanish moss-draped trees is simply gorgeous. Also don’t forget to take a tour of the Bonaventure Cemetery.