Descendents of Savannah's original seven preservationists pave way for monument in Columbia Square

Catharine Varnedoe was in the room where it happened.

When Anna Colquitt Hunter went to Lucy Barrow McIntire's home with word of a planned demolition in town, Varnedoe's task was to grab Coca-Cola's for her grandmother and guest. But before she dashed to retrieve refreshments, she heard the news.

"Lucy, they are going to tear down the Davenport House," Varnedoe, who is McIntire's granddaughter, recalls Hunter saying.

Hunter and McIntire, along with Katharine Judkins Clark, Elinor Adler Dillard, Dorothy Ripley Roebling, and Jane Adair Wright, were part of the original seven women that saved the Davenport House and kickstarted Savannah's historic preservation movement in 1955.

Now, descendants of those seven pioneer women have led a movement for the women to be permanently recognized in a Savannah square. The Savannah-Chatham County Historic Site and Monument Commission unanimously approved Monday plans for a monument in Columbia Square, just yards away from the Davenport House, that will recognize the original seven.

"We want (my grandmother), and all the other ladies recognized," Varnedoe said. "They were all remarkable women."

The other descendent leading the charge for a monument is Lucy Brannen, who is a granddaughter of McIntire and takes her name from the pioneering preservationist.

Brannen said she began working on a monument during the process of naming now Taylor Square, when a friend nominated the seven women for the naming. Now, fundraising for the marker in Columbia Square is underway.

"That kind of got us stirred up realizing there was absolutely no public recognition of these seven ladies," Brannen said. "None of what we have today would be here if they hadn't done it."

The preliminary monument design and location approved by the Historic Sites and Monuments Commission will go to Savannah City Council for a vote. Then, the final design and funding will return to the commission for a second round of approval.

The group of descendants aim for the monument to be erected in summer 2025 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Davenport House's saving and creation of the Historic Savannah Foundation, according to an HSF press release.

“We would not have the city we enjoy today if it hadn’t been for the vision of these seven inspiring preservation leaders,” said Sue Adler, CEO and president of HSF, in the release. “There is currently no public recognition of their contribution to Savannah in any of the city’s squares. It’s exciting to see this new monument take shape and to celebrate the remarkable impact of these seven women on Savannah.”

The current proposed location for a stone marker is in the northern part of the square behind two existing benches. The Davenport House would be in the backdrop of that location.

The marker will include each of the seven names along with a description of their accomplishments, noting the saving of Davenport House as a "turning point" for limiting the destruction of historic structure in Savannah, according to HSF's release.

"As you read about what they did, you're looking at the house that they saved," Varnedoe said.

Evan Lasseter is the city and county government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@gannett.com.