The 81st Annual Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens, to be held Thursday, March 31 through Sunday, April 3, will offer a rare opportunity to enter some of Savannah’s finest private homes and experience the architecture, furnishings and collections that have been treasured by families for generations, but seldom seen by the public.

The 2016 Tour features homes in two of Savannah’s National Register Historic Districts: Ardsley Park, Savannah’s first planned suburban area, and Historic Downtown Savannah, the largest urban National Historic Landmark District in the United States featuring 22 oak-canopied squares surrounded by lovely homes, businesses, and churches. In addition to a variety of walking tours, guests will enjoy seminars, special trolley tours, evening events and some of the best food and hospitality the South has to offer.
 
The following tours will be taking place:

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016
FEATURED EVENT: Home & Garden Walking Tour
10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 12 noon - 3 p.m., 2 - 5 p.m.
Southeast Historic Landmark District
Tickets $50
Stroll back 200 years through Calhoun and Whitefield Squares to view beautifully restored 19th century homes showcasing wrought iron, unique architectural detailing, and charming front stoops. This neighborhood includes a range of both large and small houses as well as duplexes and rowhouses in a variety of architectural styles including Romanesque, Victorian, and Italianate, among others. The area also presents a mix of bricked and paved streets, and wide sidewalks with an abundance of well-kept tree lawns.

Lunch at The Lady & Sons Restaurant
1 p.m.
Ort Hall, 112 West Congress Street
Tickets $35
“What’s cooking, y’all? Enjoy Paula Deen’s world famous food in the comfort of a private banquet room, Come hungry for this buffet and savor the legendary Southern cuisine made famous by Paula on her television program.

Secrets of Preserving a City
3 - 4:20 p.m.
Kennedy Pharmacy, 323 East Broughton Street
Tickets $40
Learn the secrets of how Savannah became famous for preserving the largest urban historic district in the country. Daniel Carey, president of Historic Savannah Foundation, will explain how this is being achieved using a revolving fund and easements. Savannah was one of the earliest communities to employ these tools, and their use has saved nearly 400 buildings. A 30-minute presentation will be followed by a one-hour trolley tour featuring a sampling of success stories.

Welcome Reception and Worship Service
5:30 - 7 p.m.
The Whitefield Foundation and Christ Church Anglican, 106 East 37th Street and 2020 Bull Street
No Tickets required, Complimentary event
The Women of Christ Church Anglican invite you to join us at the Whitefield Foundation at 106 East 37th Street for homemade goodies and fellowship to kick off the 81st Annual Tour of Homes & Gardens. Then walk down the block for a look at Christ Church Anglican’s new home on 2020 Bull Street. You will have ample time after the 6:15 p.m. service to reach your dinner destination. Round trip transportation will be provided. Please check back at a later date for more information.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016
FEATURED EVENT: Home & Garden Walking Tour
10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 12 noon - 3 p.m., 2 - 5 p.m.
Northeast Historic Landmark District
Tickets $50
The area surrounding Washington, Warren, and Columbia Squares features some of the district’s earliest homes. Built closest to the Savannah River, these structures date back to the mid to late 18th century and include Greek Revival and Federal style architecture. Spared from much of the damage by fires that periodically ravaged Savannah, this area has a predominance of wood-frame houses as well as a mix of Savannah Gray brick structures, and offers more cozy and charming homes.

Antique Furniture 101: The Basics
9:30 - 11 a.m.
Jere’s Antiques, 9 North Jefferson Street (just north of Bay Street)
Tickets $30
Learn how to recognize various styles of period furniture in this lively and entertaining seminar in Jere Myers’ own warehouse! Jere will demonstrate construction techniques using materials and finishes to equip you with the knowledge you need to appreciate and wisely procure a variety of antiques. Visit them online at jeresantiques.com ahead of time for a sneak peak!

Lunch at The Lady & Sons Restaurant
1 p.m.
Ort Hall, 112 West Congress Street
Tickets $35
“What’s cooking, y’all? Enjoy Paula Deen’s world famous food in the comfort of a private banquet room, Come hungry for this buffet and savor the legendary Southern cuisine made famous by Paula on her television program.

Lafayette Fete: Family Fun with a French Flair
5:30 - 7 p.m. and 7:30- 9 p.m.
The Davenport House, 324 East State Street
Tickets $35
Experience the frivolity in anticipation of General Lafayette’s visit to Savannah in spring 1825. Costumed interpreters will expound on the excitement of the time as well as recounting events from the life of Lafayette during a behind-the-scenes tour of The Davenport House, the catalyst for Savannah’s historic preservation movement. See areas of the House not normally open to the public, enjoy light refreshments a la francaise, and be entertained during a dance exhibition by the Davenport Dancers in The Kennedy Pharmacy, a restored late nineteenth century pharmacy building directly behind the Davenport House. Come to the early session and make plans for dinner afterwards or have an early dinner and finish your evening in style with the Lafayette Fete!

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016
FEATURED EVENT: Home & Garden Walking Tour
10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 12 noon - 3 p.m., 2 - 5 p.m.
Southwest Historic Landmark District
Tickets $50
Built during the height of the Cotton Era, these 19th century homes exhibit many Romantic Revival architectural elements. Stroll through Madison, Monterey, and Chatham Squares and visit magnificent Forsyth Park. Clustered along the park are the grander, more elaborate houses in many eclectic styles. West Jones Street is at the heart of this neighborhood and features a broad brick-paved street with elegant rowhouses and a canopy of live oaks. Additionally, this area includes a mix of commercial businesses, including the locally renowned Mrs. Wilkes’ restaurant and the Design District, which offers excellent shopping.

Bonaventure Cemetery Walking Tour: Acres of Monuments and Live Oaks
Departures at 9 or 10 a.m.
Departs from Trolley Stop at 18 Abercorn Street
Tickets $45
Join the Bonaventure Historical Society for a guided walking tour of Bonaventure Cemetery, highlighting the beautiful flora and a few of the residents of Savannah’s famous necropolis. Bonaventure Cemetery has been named by CNNtravel.com as the second most beautiful cemetery in the United States and the fifth most beautiful in the world. Stroll among centuries-old azaleas, camellias and moss-draped live oaks, learning about their history and the history of Savannah’s most beautiful garden-style cemetery. Round-trip transportation from downtown is included; total time for the event is 2.5 - 3 hours. Participants should be prepared to walk approximately one mile on unpaved, level roadways through the cemetery.

Lunch at The Lady & Sons Restaurant
11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Ort Hall, 112 West Congress Street
Tickets $35
“What’s cooking, y’all? Enjoy Paula Deen’s world famous food in the comfort of a private banquet room, Come hungry for this buffet and savor the legendary Southern cuisine made famous by Paula on her television program.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2016
FEATURED EVENT: Home & Garden Walking Tour
10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 12 noon - 3 p.m., 2 - 5 p.m.
Ardsley Park – Chatham Crescent
Tickets $50
Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent is a large residential area developed (c. 1910) as two adjacent planned subdivisions and built to accommodate the automobile. Ardsley Park showcases broad streets with lush tree canopies and landscaped squares. Chatham Crescent has one of the only Beaux-Arts inspired ‘City Beautiful’ plans in Georgia, with a grand mall, crescent shaped avenues, and small circular parks. The district is almost completely residential and contains larger homes with expansive lawns in a variety of revival and eclectic styles which were popular in the early 20th century. Home and Garden Tours are self-guided with a different group of six to eight sites featured each of the four days. You may visit these selected sites in any order during a three-hour period at your own pace. The homes vary in age, size, and style; they may have high-stooped entries with steep steps to climb. Most are NOT handicapped accessible. We regret that animals and service animals cannot be admitted into the homes. Please wear appropriate walking shoes for your comfort and safety and to protect the integrity of the homes.

Christ Church Anglican Sunday Morning Worship Services
No Tickets required, Complimentary event
8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
2020 Bull Street

Round-trip Transportation for Ardsley Park Tour
Departures every 30 minutes beginning at 11:30 am
Departs from Trolley Stop at 18 Abercorn Street
Tickets $10
On-street parking is available in Ardsley Park, or opt for shuttle transportation, specially-arranged for our Tour guests.

Home and Garden Tours are self-guided with a different group of six to eight sites featured each of the four days. You may visit these selected sites in any order during a three-hour period at your own pace. The homes vary in age, size and style; they may have high-stooped entries with steep steps to climb. Most are NOT handicapped accessible. We regret that animals and service animals cannot be admitted into the homes. Please wear appropriate walking shoes for your comfort and safety and to protect the integrity of the homes.

The Tour is presented by the Women of Christ Church Anglican and Historic Savannah Foundation in cooperation with the Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent Garden Club. For tickets, please visit www.savannahtourofhomes.org or call 912-234-8054.