Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
124 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401
About the Business
The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, located in Savannah, Georgia, is a museum and tourist attraction that offers a unique glimpse into the lives of both the wealthy families who lived there and the enslaved individuals who worked on the property in the early 19th century. Built in 1819 in the neoclassical style popular during the Regency period in England, this historic mansion allows visitors to explore the complex relationships between the most and least powerful people in Savannah at that time.
The house was originally commissioned by shipping merchant and enslaver Richard Richardson, and later purchased by lawyer and enslaver George Welshman Owens in 1830. The property includes original slave quarters, where up to fourteen enslaved individuals lived and worked at any given time. The site also features a parterre garden, entertaining spaces, and private family rooms, all filled with period furniture and decorative objects from the early to mid-19th century.
Tours of the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters focus on the art, architecture, and history of the home through the lens of slavery, offering a comprehensive and inclusive interpretation of its past. Visitors must reserve tour times in-person at the ticket booth, with tour slots available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The museum also offers group tours and a three-site pass for those interested in exploring more of Telfair Museums' offerings.
With its rich history and dedication to educating the public on the realities of the past, the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters provides a thought-provoking and immersive experience for all who visit.
Photos
Hours open
Monday:
10:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Tuesday:
10:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Wednesday:
10:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Thursday:
10:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Friday:
10:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Saturday:
10:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Sunday:
10:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Reviews
"An absolute must if you have a day to spend in Savannah. Great at displaying the lives of that epoch. The guide was very knowledgeable and responsive."
"I can see a recent reviewer can’t read, this place is $30 not $40 for an adult. It’s one ticket for 3 museums. These are guided tours that last up to an hour or less. You arrive and then they give you a tour time. The Owens-Thomas House was interesting, you get to see the old architecture and how the bedrooms looked. There is a nice garden. I really love how the staircase looks, it’s very picturesque. Our tour guide was very informative and we didn’t feel rushed at all. I would recommend coming here if you’re in the area."
"Awesome tour. The way they told the narrative began from the enslaved persons perspective, which set the tone to be more reflective as we learned about the history of the house in its context. They did a good job of properly representing the enslaved peoples story while also talking about the families that lived there. Our tour guide answered all our questions and kept everyone engaged. Tour was about an hour. If you get there and the upcoming tour has already booked, you will have to wait. We waited 30 minutes. Tours are every 15 minutes."
"I have to say this was worth seeing. Very informative and interesting. Our tour guide was on a 5 star tour until the end when she started with her personal views on America and it’s racist history along with how evil white men were. We all realize slavery was a stain on our history but America is certainly not racist. There were blacks in Africa who assisted in the slave trade as well. Unfortunately there will always be racist people but as a country that’s just not true Other than that little blip I highly recommend the tour The architecture of the house alone was quite incredible and ahead of its time"
"Excellent historic building and tour. Our guide was excellent, with deep knowledge of the property owners and the enslaved people. The information both on the tour and the signage attempt to provide a balance between the wealth and exploitation during the 1800s. Well done conservation and restoration."
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