Telfair Museum: Where Art and History Collide
The Telfair Museum is a special place in Savannah, Georgia. It’s the oldest art museum in the South, opening way back in 1883. The museum isn’t just one building – it’s actually three different places:
- The Telfair Academy
- The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
- The Jepson Center for the Arts
These three sites show off amazing art from America and Europe. The art here is from the last 200 years.
Telfair Museum History
The story of the Telfair Museum is pretty cool. It all started with one person – Mary Telfair. She gave her family’s house to the city to make it a museum. This was a big deal because it showed how much Mary and her family loved art and history.
Mary’s gift didn’t just create a museum. It made something that would be important to Savannah for a very long time. Even today, the museum keeps growing and changing because of what Mary started.
Why the Telfair Museum Matters
The Telfair Museum is more than just a place to see old stuff. It’s a way for people today to connect with history and art. When you walk through the museum, you’re walking through time. You can see how people lived, what they thought was beautiful, and how art has changed over 200 years.
The museum also shows us how one person’s gift can make a big difference. Mary Telfair’s idea to share her family’s art and home has turned into something that helps everyone in Savannah learn and enjoy art.
Exploring the Telfair Museum: A Guide to Its Three Sites
The Telfair Museum in Savannah, Georgia, is more than just one building. It’s a collection of three distinct sites, each offering unique and fascinating exhibits. Let’s explore what makes each location special.
Telfair Academy
The Telfair Academy was originally a grand house designed by the famous architect William Jay in the early 1800s. When Mary Telfair donated it to the city, it was transformed into a museum. In 1886, the Telfair Academy opened its doors to the public, allowing everyone to enjoy its impressive collection of art.
Inside the Telfair Academy, you can see:
- Paintings by renowned artists like Frederick Carl Frieseke, Childe Hassam, and Robert Henri
- Sculptures
- Fancy furniture
- Decorative items
The building itself is a work of art, featuring beautiful decorations on the walls and ceilings, a large rotunda, and sculptures of the Telfair family. The people of Savannah love having such a rich collection of art right in their city.
Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
In 1951, the Telfair Museum expanded with the addition of the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, another magnificent building designed by William Jay. This site is special because it provides a glimpse into two very different ways of life:
- The wealthy family who owned the house
- The enslaved people who worked there
When you visit, you can explore:
- The main house, which is very luxurious
- A unique bridge that connects the house to the garden
- The slave quarters, where enslaved people lived and worked
This house offers an important and sobering look at American history, helping visitors understand the stark contrasts in the lives of the rich and the enslaved during that time.
Jepson Center for the Arts
The newest part of the Telfair Museum is the Jepson Center for the Arts, which opened in 2006. This modern building, designed by Moshe Safdie, stands out with its glass and white walls, offering a sharp contrast to the historic buildings around it.
Inside the Jepson Center, you can find contemporary art, including works by famous artists such as:
- Jasper Johns
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Richard Estes
These modern pieces show how art has evolved over time, providing a fresh and exciting experience for visitors.
How to Get to the Telfair Museum?
Getting to the Telfair Museum is pretty easy. Here are some ways you can do it:
- By Car: If you’re driving, you can park on the street near the museum. But be careful – you can only park for 2 hours between 8 AM and 5 PM on weekdays, and until 8 PM on Saturdays. On Sundays and holidays, parking is free. If you want to stay longer, you can park in a parking garage. The closest one is called the Robinson Parking Garage. It’s at 132 Montgomery Street, just a short walk from the museum.
- By Bus: You can take a bus to get to the museum. Look for the Chatham Area Transit (CAT) buses. There’s also a free bus called the DOT Express Shuttle that stops near the museum.
Walking or Biking: If you like to walk or ride a bike, that’s a great way to get to the museum too. The area around the museum is nice for walking and biking, and you can see lots of cool old buildings on your way.
Conclusion
Visiting the Telfair Museum is like taking a trip through time. You can see how people lived long ago, look at beautiful art from different times, and learn about important parts of history. Whether you love old paintings, want to learn about the past, or just want to see something new and interesting, the Telfair Museum has something for you!
