The 80th Annual Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens, to be held Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29, will offer a rare opportunity to enter some of Savannah’s finest private homes treasured by families for generations but seldom seen by visitors. 

Each of the four days of Tour weekend features a different Historic Home & Garden walking tour, as well as a variety of unique special events and seminars, ranging from informative tours on the city’s renowned preservation to traditional southern “soul food” lunches at Paula Deen’s The Lady & Sons and Mrs. Wilkes’ Boarding House. 

The following tours will be taking place: 

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015 

Southeast Historic Landmark District Home & Garden Walking Tour

10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 12 noon – 3 p.m., 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Tickets $45

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. 

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 

Northeast Historic Landmark District Home & Garden Walking Tour

10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 12 noon – 3 p.m., 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Tickets $45

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. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015 

Southwest Historic Landmark District Home & Garden Walking Tour

10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 12 noon – 3 p.m., 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Tickets $45

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.

The Ruby Jubilee: 80^th Anniversary Celebration 

6 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Green Meldrim House, 14 W. Macon Street

Tickets $80

In celebration of 80 years of home tours and community giving, four very special honorees will be recognized for their longevity and continuity of service to the Tour: Ashby Angell, Alice Clark, Betty Morris and Mary Waddell. This black-tie optional event will feature a dinner and live entertainment. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2015 

Ardsley Park – Chatham Crescent Neighborhood Home & Garden Walking Tour

12 noon – 3 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Tickets $45

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.

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.