Ezekiel Harris House | Augusta

The Ezekiel Harris House, located at 1822 Broad Street in Augusta, Georgia, is an exceptionally important historic residence that offers a rare and well-preserved glimpse into late 18th-century American architecture and early commerce in the region. Built in 1797, this house is one of the oldest surviving structures in Augusta and is recognized as a significant example of Federal-style architecture with Georgian influences. It holds deep historical and architectural value, reflecting both the ambitions of its builder, Ezekiel Harris, and the early development of Augusta as a commercial hub.

Historical Background

Ezekiel Harris was a tobacco merchant originally from Edgefield, South Carolina. In the late 18th century, he moved to the Augusta area with the goal of establishing a thriving tobacco market and shipping point that could rival Augusta itself. Harris purchased over 300 acres of land just north of the city and founded the small settlement of Harrisburg, aiming to create a community focused on tobacco production and trade.

To support this venture, Harris constructed a substantial home that not only served as his family residence but also as a symbol of his social and economic status. The house was strategically positioned near the Savannah River, where Harris also built a warehouse and operated a ferry service to facilitate the transport of tobacco and other goods. His efforts were part of a larger movement to capitalize on Augusta’s growing importance as a commercial center in Georgia and the South.

Despite his ambition, Ezekiel Harris faced fierce competition from established merchants such as John Hammond, which led to legal disputes and personal conflicts, including accusations of arson and a mysterious shooting incident linked to the rivalry. Financial difficulties eventually forced Harris to sell much of his land in Harrisburg. He relocated to Washington, Georgia, where he died in 1829. Although Harrisburg itself did not flourish as he had hoped, the legacy of the Ezekiel Harris House endures as a testament to this early period of American entrepreneurial spirit and settlement expansion.

Architectural Significance

The Ezekiel Harris House is architecturally distinctive and notable for several reasons:

Federal Style with Georgian Influences: The house is a superb example of the transition from Georgian to Federal architectural styles, common in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The design reflects the elegance and symmetry characteristic of these styles.

Gambrel Roof: One of the most striking and unusual features of the house is its gambrel roof, which is more typical of Northern colonial architecture rather than Southern. This two-sided roof with two slopes on each side gives the house a distinctive profile and adds to its historic uniqueness.

Vaulted Central Hallway: The interior includes a vaulted or arched central hallway, which was both a functional and aesthetic element, creating an impressive entry and passageway that set the tone for the rest of the house.

Tiered Piazzas: The house features double-tiered porches (piazzas) supported by chamfered wooden posts. These porches provided outdoor living space for comfort during Georgia’s warm climate and also contributed to the house’s elegant appearance.

Beaded Clapboards and Detailed Woodwork: The exterior siding is composed of beaded clapboards, a decorative form of wooden siding, and the porches and other trim include finely chamfered supports and other intricate wood details. These elements highlight the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into the house’s construction.

Interior Layout: The house’s floor plan reflects the period’s residential design, with rooms arranged around the central hallway, high ceilings, and finely crafted woodwork throughout. The house’s interior still retains many original features that allow visitors to experience authentic 18th-century domestic architecture.

Preservation and Restoration

By the mid-20th century, the Ezekiel Harris House had suffered from neglect and deterioration. Recognizing its historical and architectural importance, local preservationists and the Augusta Museum of History undertook a comprehensive restoration project in 1964. The restoration sought to preserve the house’s original materials and architectural integrity while stabilizing the structure for public visitation.

Following the restoration, the Ezekiel Harris House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its protection and recognition as a site of national historic significance. Today, it operates as a historic house museum managed by the Augusta Museum of History, offering visitors a window into Augusta’s early history and the life of a prominent tobacco merchant.

Museum Experience and Educational Value

The Ezekiel Harris House provides a rich educational experience for visitors interested in architecture, early American commerce, and the social history of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Guided tours focus on several key themes:

The life and ambitions of Ezekiel Harris, including his role in Augusta’s tobacco trade and his vision for Harrisburg.

Architectural details and construction techniques of the Federal and Georgian periods.

The social and economic context of the Augusta region during the post-Revolutionary War era.

The challenges faced by early entrepreneurs in the developing South.

The house is open to the public on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional visits available by appointment. Admission is affordable, encouraging local residents and tourists alike to explore this historic site.

Visitor Information

Address: 1822 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia, 30904

Hours: Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; other days by appointment

Admission: Adults $2.00; Children $1.00

Contact: Augusta Museum of History, (706) 722-8454

Summary

The Ezekiel Harris House is a remarkable preservation of early American architecture and a tangible connection to the commercial and social history of Augusta, Georgia. Through its distinctive Federal-style design with Georgian elements, rare gambrel roof, and well-preserved interiors, the house offers an authentic glimpse into the life of a late 18th-century tobacco merchant and the aspirations of a fledgling Southern settlement. Its restoration and continued operation as a museum make it an invaluable cultural and educational resource, preserving an important chapter of Georgia’s heritage for current and future generations.