Andrew Low House
Located in the Juliette Gordon Law Historic District of Savannah, the Andrew Low House is a sight to see. Just across Lafayette Square from the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, the Andrew Low House is one of the many museums worth seeing to experience Savannah’s unique history. The house features a Greek Revival architectural style with a touch of Italianate details. The breathtaking gardens dating back to the 19th century are some of the very few in the historic district that still maintain their original design.
The Andrew Low House was built in the 1840s for wealthy cotton merchant Andrew Low II. Low was a Scottish immigrant who arrived in the city of Savannah at just seventeen years old. Upon acquiring trust lots on Lafayette Square, he brought world-renowned Architect John Norris on board to build a house for his family. Unfortunately, grief struck the Low family during this time. Low’s son, also named Andrew, passed away at just four years old. The following year, his wife, Sarah Low also tragically passed away after having a miscarriage.
Initially, the home was housed the Low family including their enslaved men and women. It later became home to Juliette Gordon Low, the daughter-in-law of Andrew Low, who was commonly known as “Daisy”. She was the founder and president of the Girl Scouts. Daisy occupied the home during the early stages of the formation of what became Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
On January 19, 1928, the house was sold to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia by Juliette Gordon Low’s family shortly after her passing. It was then used as the headquarters for Georgia Dames. The basement of this historic home was used as a restaurant between the years 1929 and 1937.
Today, the Andrew Low House operates as a museum, and its rich history embodies the qualities of 19th century Savannah. It was first opened to the public in 1952, for limited hours. By 1966, the museum was open for tours daily and continues to offer a glimpse into the past for visitors to this day. Tours of the home offer a look into what domestic life was like in the nineteenth century in the bustling seaport of Savannah.
Rebecca Eddins, the Executive Director of the Andrew Low Museum acknowledges the painful past intertwined with the history of the home regarding slavery. The museum makes a conscious effort to accurately portray the reality of American history at that time while acknowledging that it’s an opportunity to learn from our previous mistakes. The goal of the museum is to teach visitors, whether local, national, or from abroad all about Savannah’s rich past while relating it to the world we live in today.
Admission into the museum includes access to the courtyard and gardens as well as a guided tour of the interior of the home. Visitors can purchase tickets online or in person, and the staff urges members to be mindful of the delicate pieces throughout the home.
