Information
Landmark: Andrew Low HouseCity: Savannah
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Andrew Low House, Savannah, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
The Andrew Low House at 329 Abercorn Street in Savannah, Georgia, is a beautifully preserved mid-19th-century mansion, celebrated for its graceful architecture and deep ties to the city’s past, from its wrought-iron balconies to the stories etched into its marble halls.Andrew Low II, a Scottish immigrant, commissioned it between 1847 and 1849; by then, he’d risen to become one of Savannah’s richest cotton merchants and a familiar face at the city’s bustling markets and grand evening gatherings.The building was designed by John S., a well-known New York architect whose sharp eye once turned brick and glass into something unforgettable.Norris, this house shows the antebellum Southern elite’s taste and ambition, from its tall white columns to the polished mahogany floors.It’s more than a home from another time-it’s proof of Savannah’s wealth before the Civil War, with tall windows that once opened to the scent of blooming magnolias.This home became even more notable when Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts of the USA, lived here, its front porch often bright with the scent of fresh magnolia blooms.She shared the house with her husband, William Mackay Low, and in 1912, inside its sunlit parlor, she gathered the first official Girl Scout troop-setting in motion a movement that would grow nationwide, inspiring youth to lead and serve their communities.The Andrew Low House stands as one of Savannah’s most admired mid-19th-century homes, its tall windows and graceful ironwork marking the elegance of the era.It mixes Greek Revival grace with Italianate flair, a look wealthy Americans of the time favored-think tall columns paired with ornate window frames.Outside, the building rises in a clean cubic shape, its brick walls coated in smooth stucco that catches the afternoon light and lends a quiet, solid elegance.Tall, narrow windows topped with molded lintels catch the eye on the facade, while a richly carved cornice completes its distinctive character.A sweeping sandstone staircase climbs to the main entrance, where two reclining lions rest at its base, their stone eyes fixed in quiet watch-a rare, symbolic touch meant to embody strength and protection.Tall classical pilasters frame the double front doors, while a transom window rests above them, letting in a crisp wash of morning light that adds to their stately presence.One striking detail of this mansion is the dry moat circling its foundation, a broad strip of earth where weeds push through cracked soil.This feature wasn’t just for looks-it lifted the house above the street, keeping floodwater at bay and muffling the rumble of passing cars.At the back of the house, a striking three-story porch rises on stuccoed columns, offering sweeping views of the formal gardens and a cool, shaded spot perfect for gathering with friends.Inside, the mansion opens into airy rooms with towering ceilings, intricate moldings, and fireplaces carved with ornate detail.Rich wood gleams in the afternoon light.Rich wood trim and carefully arranged furniture show the social expectations and everyday comforts of a well-to-do family in the mid-1800s.The Andrew Low House stands as a vivid piece of American history-its grand rooms whisper of Savannah’s antebellum wealth, and it’s where the Girl Scouts began.Andrew Low II made his fortune in cotton, and with it, he built one of Savannah’s most elegant homes, its tall windows catching the afternoon light.His success shows just how vital the cotton trade was to the Southern economy before the Civil War, when bales of freshly picked cotton lined the docks.Juliette Gordon Low, the home’s most celebrated resident, married William Mackay Low in 1886 and later turned these sunlit rooms into her headquarters for launching the Girl Scouts in 1912.She saw the organization as a way to help girls grow confident, stand on their own, and feel responsible for their community-like taking pride in planting a garden they tended together.In this house, her work sparked the beginnings of what grew into one of the largest and most influential youth groups in the country, filling its halls with the sound of eager voices.Legacy: The Andrew Low House still draws Girl Scouts and historians who come to walk its creaking floors, a lasting symbol of leadership, empowerment, and the care of cultural heritage.The museum showcases an impressive mix of 19th-century furnishings, decorative arts, and family heirlooms, each carefully preserved or restored to evoke the era when the Low family filled these rooms-like the gleam of polished walnut under soft afternoon light.Among the standout pieces is a breakfront secretary Joseph Barry built in 1810, a crisp example of Federal-style cabinetmaking, and a rosewood writing desk attributed to John Jelliff, prized for its fine workmanship and its link to author William Makepeace Thackeray, who once ran his hand across its polished surface.Decorative Arts: The collection showcases silver that gleams in the light, delicate porcelain, and elegant glassware from the era, reflecting the household’s refined taste and high social standing.Personal items and keepsakes-from Juliette Gordon Low’s silver locket to her family’s handwritten letters-offer a glimpse into their everyday routines and the friends who filled their world.The museum displays these pieces in rooms styled to match their purpose-parlors with velvet chairs, polished dining tables, and bedrooms with heavy drapes-so visitors can step into the daily life of a wealthy Savannah family in the 1800s.The gardens and grounds around the Andrew Low House are among Savannah’s rare surviving 19th‑century landscapes, tended with care to keep their original design and old camellias just as they’ve always been.The garden’s laid out in a double-hourglass parterre, a crisp, formal pattern that Victorian gardeners loved-think clipped boxwood tracing precise curves.The symmetry and order highlight the house’s architectural elegance, like clean lines framing a sunlit doorway.Plantings: The garden features plants true to its history, including soft-petaled English daisies, vivid Kurume azaleas, and glossy sago palms.The gardeners picked these plants to match the era and shape a calm, decorative landscape, with soft lavender edging the path.The garden offers a quiet escape from the city’s bustle, its winding paths and old roses standing as a living reminder of 19th-century horticultural traditions.Today, the Andrew Low House welcomes visitors as a museum, where guides lead you through quiet, sunlit rooms while sharing rich stories about its architecture, history, and lasting importance.Friendly, well-informed guides walk you through the mansion’s rooms, pointing out carved woodwork, sharing colorful bits of history, and telling the tale of Juliette Gordon Low and the Girl Scouts.From time to time, the museum puts on special programs and lectures, along with events that dive into Savannah’s history and preservation-think evening talks with old maps spread across the table.Location and Access: The house sits in Savannah’s historic district, just a short stroll from cobblestone streets and moss-draped squares, making it easy for visitors to reach while exploring the city’s cultural and historic landmarks.Hours and Admission: The museum welcomes visitors six days a week, with doors opening on Sunday afternoons when sunlight spills through the tall windows.The admission price won’t break the bank, and seniors, students, Girl Scouts, and military members all get a discount-think a couple of bucks off the ticket.Kids under six get in free, and so do active-duty service members who show their ID.Like many old houses in Savannah, the Andrew Low House carries its share of ghost tales-whispers of footsteps on empty staircases and doors that creak open on their own.People say they’ve seen the ghost of Tom, Andrew Low’s old butler, who once carried polished silver trays through the house.
