Third in a series
Since the establishment of the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1978 there has been no shortage of art in Chatham County. However, Savannah’s rich artistic heritage long precedes this period. From painters to singers to storytellers, Savannah has been a host to, and an inspiration for, a number of talented figures throughout history.
COASTAL GEORGIA’S HIDDEN HISTORY
In 1998 the Georgia Historical Society took over a statewide initiative to recognize and preserve local histories. Together GHS and its predecessor, the Georgia Historical Commission, have erected over 2,000 markers honoring military conflicts, political leaders and of course, artists.
Through the Historical Marker Program travelers can learn about these accomplished creatives and their lives in Coastal Georgia. You can see where painter Edward Green Malbone died, where novelist Flannery O’Connor grew up and where songwriter Johnny Mercer spent his childhood.
Use the map below for a chronological exploration of nine historical markers in Chatham County that celebrate the art, literature and music contributions of Savannah natives, long-time visitors or fervent admirers.
Edward Greene Malbone was a largely self-taught miniaturist painter. Miniaturists specialize in small, fine portraits often rendered on calf skin paper, copper or ivory. Malbone was one of the world’s most sought-after artists of this form as his portraits were characterized by detailed drawing, vibrant colors and lively personalization of the subject. After living much of his life in New England, Malbone moved to Savannah and died of tuberculosis in 1807.
Although only having resided in Savannah for 15 years , Lowell Mason made significant contributions to the sacred music culture in the lowcountry. A hymn composer, Mason served as the choirmaster at the Independent Presbyterian Church and as the Secretary of the Savannah Missionary Society. Mason’s hymns — including “ From Greenland’s Icy Mountains ” — remain popular among worshippers today.
As one of the first major Virginian novelists and one of the earliest writers of the romantic tradition, Dr. William Caruthers cultivated a fondness for the South. Caruthers moved to Savannah in 1837 and soon became an important figure in the community. Alongside his literary efforts, Caruthers was one of the founders of the Georgia Historical Society and helped ensure Savannhians right to directly elect their mayors. He published his first and last novel, “The Knights of the Golden Horse-Shoe” (1841) in Savannah. Visit this marker to learn more about the writer, doctor and politician.
General Henry Rootes Jackson purchased this building in 1885 and resided at 450 Bull Street until his death in 1898. As a soldier, Jackson is recognized for his role in the Atlanta Campaign — a series of military operations that took place in North Georgia during the Civil War. Jackson is also known for his collection of poems called “Tallulah and Other Poems” (1850). Like Caruthers, Jackson was devoted to the preservation of Georgia history and served as president of the Georgia Historical Society from 1875 to 1898.
Robert Sengstacke Abbott , born on St. Simons Island and raised in Chatham County, was the founder of The Chicago Defender. You can learn more about his marker in the second story of this series regarding African-American history in Coastal Georgia.
The Telfair Academy was provided for in the 1875 will of Mary Telfair. As the daughter of Georgia Governor Edward Telfair, Mary lived a comfortable life and was devoted to the appreciation of the arts. After her death she gifted the house on Telfair Square to the Georgia Historical Society to be used for “public arts and sciences.” The museum now houses permanent collections of work dating from the 18th through 21st centuries and is host to temporary exhibits throughout the year.
Although originally from Eatonton, Joel Chandler Harris served as the associate editor of the Savannah Morning News from 1870 to 1876. Along with his journalism work, Harris is well-known for his fictional retellings of African-American folklore through the character Uncle Remus . The inspiration for these stories came from Harris’ time working with plantation owner Joseph Addison Turner as a printing assistant on The Countryman. During this time he had access to the slave quarters and heard first-hand the brilliant storytelling of these laborers. Visit this site to learn more about Harris and his life-long journalistic and literary pursuits.
A Savannah native, the world-renowned songwriter Johnny Mercer left a lasting legacy in the music world. In 1933 Mercer moved to Hollywood to pursue his songwriting career and create musical compositions for motion pictures. In 1961 Mercer won his third Academy Award for “ Moon River ”(1961), a track written for the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” In the melancholic track, Mercer reflects on life, love and loss. The river to be crossed, whether metaphorical or metaphysical, was perhaps inspired by an offshoot of the Vernon River in Savannah . You can visit the Moon River District on Skidaway Island, named after the song.
Last but not least, the childhood home of the controversial but celebrated American novelist, Flannery O’Connor. You can learn more about O’Connor’s complicated history in the first article of this series on Savannah’s trailblazing women.
Click through to the Georgia Historical Marker program to find more information about this statewide initiative.
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