The Green-Meldrim House: Savannah's Home to General Sherman

The Green-Meldrim House is an ornate house-museum in Savannah's Historic District that served as General Sherman's headquarters while he was in Savannah. The house is in the southern half of the District and is within walking distance of Forsyth Park and the Savannah History Museum. CAT, Savannah's public transit system, provides a free downtown shuttle that passes within a block of the house.

The Green-Meldrim House was built for Charles Green, a cotton merchant who made his fortune in the years before the Civil War. In 1850, Green decided he wanted a house befitting his wealth, and he engaged architect John Norris to build it for him. Norris, originally from New York, began working in Savannah in 1848, when he was commissioned to build the Savannah Custom House. He became the city's most important architect during the 1850s, designing the Andrew Low House, the Massie School Building and the Mercer-Williams House, among other important structures. The New Georgia Encyclopedia says the Green-Meldrim House is his "best-known'' work and "is among the earliest Gothic revival houses in the state.''

The house, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976, is described by the National Park Service as "a splendid display of the grandeur of mid-19th century Savannah high society. Gothic Revival in style, its rococo mirrors, marble mantels, intricately carved moldings, and luxuries such as gas lighted domes show the lavish construction.'' Interiors magazine adds, "Of particular interest are its graceful curved stairway crowned by a skylight rotunda, drawing rooms outfitted with Carrera marble mantels and Austrian mirrors in gold leaf frames, and the oriel windows on the east side of the house.'' Savannah historian Hugh Golson said in the Savannah Morning News (SMN), "Norris took the Gothic Revival style to new heights at the Green-Meldrim. It boasts many architectural innovations, including a series of sliding doors, oriel windows and an experimental dome over the staircase.'' Golson goes on to say that the house "would be at or near the top'' of a list of the best houses in Savannah.

The Green-Meldrim House, for all its architectural significance, has a brief, but significant role in history, too. In 1864, when General Sherman arrived in Savannah, Charles Green rode out to him and offered him his house in the hope that Sherman would not destroy it. Sherman says in his memoirs, "After riding about the city, and finding his house so spacious, so convenient, with large yard and stabling, I accepted his offer. ... a most excellent house it was in all respects.'' It was from this house that Sherman sent his famous cable to President Lincoln, saying, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the City of Savannah.''

Today, the house is owned by St. John's Episcopal Church, which uses part of the house as its rectory. It has maintained the house and keeps it open to the public for tours. A major restoration project started in 2009, thanks to a grant from Save America's Treasures. A local architect working on the project notes in the SMN, "It was an honor, and a reflection of the house's history and importance, to be chosen for the grant. Only 40 sites were chosen, and the Green-Meldrim House was the only one from Georgia.''

Internet reviews are very positive for the Green-Meldrim House. Visitors are taken with both the architecture and the history. "It really felt like we stepped back in time,'' says one tourist. Another suggests, "If you see only one home in Savannah, make this the one.''