Information
Landmark: Juliette Gordon Low BirthplaceCity: Savannah
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, Savannah, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
At 10 East Oglethorpe Avenue in Savannah, Georgia, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace stands as a stately mansion, admired for its graceful architecture and treasured as the childhood home of Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts of the USA.First.Built between 1818 and 1821, the house stands as a classic example of Regency architecture, with its graceful symmetry, crisp white trim, and refined details that defined early 19th‑century England.William Jay, a celebrated English architect who made Savannah his home, designed the building and left his mark on the city’s skyline with graceful facades and bold lines.From the outside, the home rises two and a half stories, its brick walls wrapped in smooth stucco and brushed with soft, muted colors that echo the elegance of Regency style.The façade feels perfectly balanced, its windows set at even intervals, and the entrance draws the eye with slender sidelights and a transom glowing softly above the door.Tall, narrow windows with slender muntins let sunlight spill across the room, giving the interiors a bright, open feel.A graceful fanlight crowns the front door, with narrow sidelights framing it, and together they give the home a warm, inviting look.Inside, the space radiates Regency charm with soaring ceilings, ornate plaster details, and wood trim carved in delicate patterns.The rooms feel roomy and are laid out with care around a central hallway, letting fresh air drift easily through the space.Step two: vary the rhythm with a blend of short and medium-length sentences.The house was first built for James Moore Wayne, a respected Savannah lawyer who went on to serve as a U. S. Supreme Court Justice.Sarah and William Washington Gordon-Juliette Gordon Low’s grandparents-bought the property in 1831, when the air still smelled faintly of pine from the surrounding woods.In Savannah, the Gordon family left its mark on both society and business, hosting lively gatherings under the glow of gaslight while shaping the city’s fortunes.Juliette Gordon, born in 1860, stayed in the house until she married in 1886, leaving behind the creak of its wooden stairs.That old house sheltered her family for four generations, its front porch watching her grow up and find her footing in the world.The Gordon family kept the house through much of the 20th century, its oak banister and worn front step standing as part of their legacy.Number three.Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912, is remembered with warmth and pride-much like the scent of campfire smoke drifting through a forest.She dreamed of building an organization that would help girls grow into leaders, take on rugged adventures under open skies, and make a real difference through community service.At the birthplace museum, you’ll step into Juliette’s world-see worn family letters, hear stories from her childhood, and trace the moments that sparked her lifelong drive to help young people grow.Glass cases hold Juliette’s letters, worn photographs, and small keepsakes from her family, each one giving a vivid glimpse into who she was and the time she called home.The museum celebrates Juliette’s artistry, displaying her original needlework, vivid paintings, and handwritten letters that still carry the faint scent of aged paper.Number four.By the mid-20th century, the house sagged with neglect, its porch boards soft underfoot and paint peeling in long, curling strips.In 1953, recognizing its place in history, the Girl Scouts of the USA bought the property, intent on restoring it as a tribute to their founder-right down to the creak of its old front steps.They carried out a full restoration, bringing the home back to its early 19th-century look, right down to the warm glow of the brass door handles, while keeping every detail historically accurate.In 1956, the house reopened as a museum, its rooms restored with care and filled with period furniture and original heirlooms-a worn leather armchair still sat by the fireplace.In the 1950s, landscape architect Clermont Huger Lee created the garden next door, shaping it into a Victorian parterre with crisp, geometric beds.This garden enhances the historic charm and offers a quiet corner where you can hear the soft rustle of leaves.Five.Today, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace buzzes with life as a museum, welcoming guests with guided tours and hands-on programs that draw in visitors from toddlers to grandparents.Guided tours take you through striking architecture, trace the family’s history, and share Juliette Gordon Low’s inspiring legacy-right down to the creak of the old staircase.Docents share vivid stories about her life, explain why the house matters, and bring 19th-century Savannah to life-its cobblestone streets and warm, salt-heavy air.The museum offers lively programs for Girl Scouts, school groups, and anyone in the community, with activities that spark leadership, bring history to life, and celebrate shared values.In 2012, the museum carried out major renovations to improve accessibility, adding elevators and smooth ramps so the old hardwood floors could be enjoyed by every visitor.Number six.On Oglethorpe Avenue, the birthplace sits in Savannah’s historic district, where worn cobblestones lead past shaded squares and buildings that have stood for centuries.The house blends naturally into the neighborhood, giving visitors a genuine taste of antebellum Savannah’s grace-white columns catching the afternoon sun.The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace isn’t just an old house-it’s a living landmark that shares the story of a remarkable woman who shaped American youth culture when she founded the Girl Scouts, brick by brick and dream by dream.Its graceful lines and tall, narrow windows make it a striking example of Regency style, echoing the polished tastes of Savannah’s early 19th-century elite.For generations, it’s carried the spirit and legacy of Juliette Gordon Low and her family, keeping alive their stories-like handwritten letters tucked in a cedar box-and the mark they left on American life.This site serves as a museum devoted to education, preservation, and inspiration, drawing visitors into Savannah’s history and the lasting spirit of leadership and service that Juliette Gordon Low embodied.
