Owens-Thomas House Reinterpretation

FAIN: MP-50018-06

Telfair Museum of Art (Savannah, GA 31401-3612)
Harry DeLorme (Project Director: September 2005 to August 2007)

Planning of a new interpretation of the Owens-Thomas House and its inhabitants, placing the house in the context of Savannah, Georgia, in the 1830s.

New interpretation of the Owens-Thomas House will introduce visitors to all former inhabitants of the site, white and black, with special focus on the lives and labors of the documented enslaved people who built, maintained and serviced the home- a National Historic Landmark building constructed in 1819- and who lived in the rare and intact urban slave quarters located in the carriage house. This interpretation will include the surrounding neighborhood, part of Savannah's renowned National Historic District, where approximately 50% of the 1830s population were people of color - enslaved, nominally enslaved and free. Accompanying educational materials, additional related programming and audience research will also be included.