Telfair Square, Savannah


Telfair Square, located in the oldest part of the Savannah, was one of the first squares laid out by James Oglethorpe when the city was founded in 1733, together with its near neighbors Ellis, Wright and Johnson Squares.

Today, Telfair Square is at the center of Savannah’s artistic life, bordered by two of its principal art museums: the historic Telfair Academy and the contemporary Jepson Center.

Telfair Square was once one of the most fashionable residence places in Savannah, and it is unfortunate that an area so significant in Savannah’s culture and past should have lost so much of its historic appeal. The square itself is beautiful, with large, mature live oaks, shaded lawns and tasteful plantings, but most of the buildings that once fronted on the square have been lost.

Northwards from Telfair is Ellis Square, with the shops and art galleries of City Market and a wide selection of places to eat and drink in the surrounding streets.

East is Bull Street’s Wright Square, near which is the historic former residence of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low; south is Orleans Square and another historic house museum, the 1840s Greek Revival Harper Fowlkes mansion. Westwards is the outer margin of the Historic District, with little of interest to tourists.

See also:
Savannah’s must-see sights
Art museums
Free things to do
Savannah’s squares and parks

Telfair Square Things To Do

Art Museums: Telfair Academy & The Jepson Center

On the northern west trust lot stands the Telfair Academy. This art museum occupies the former home of Mary Telfair, built for her brother Alexander Telfair in 1818-1819.

Mary Telfair bequeathed the house – one of several in Savannah designed by noted architect William Jay – on the condition that it be used as a museum. Today it is operated by Telfair Museums, and displays predominantly traditional art.

On the south side of the square is the Jepson Center. Opened in 2006, this modern-styled building, also owned by Telfair Museums, displays contemporary art. Both museums also host varied rotating exhibitions.

The famous “Bird Girl” statue, featured in Mignight in the Garden of Good and Evil and formerly located at Bonaventure Cemetery, can be seen at the Telfair Academy. It was removed from Bonaventure as a precaution against vandalism or theft.

More details and visitor info for Savannah’s art museums

Trinity United Methodist Church

The southern west trust lot is occupied by the Trinity Methodist Church, built in 1850 according to the design of Savannah architect John B Hogg. The church was founded in 1807; it is the oldest Methodist congregation in Savannah. Its original building was on Oglethorpe Avenue (then South Broad Street) at Lincoln Street.

Telfair Square’s Memorials

Telfair Square is the site of two small and unobtrusive monuments. On the ground at the northeast corner is a representation of a chambered nautilus, perhaps commemorating Savannah’s relationship with the sea. On the southeast corner is a similarly-styled memorial commemorating the founding of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Who Were Heathcote & The Telfairs?

Heathcote Ward is named for the Jamaican-born British politician George Heathcote (1700-1768), who helped Oglethorpe plan the new colony of Georgia and also served as treasurer for the Trustees in charge of establishing the colony.

Telfair Square was originally named St James’s Square after the royal palace and park of the same name in London. It was renamed in 1883, in honor of Savannah’s influential Telfair family, a few years after the death of the last Telfair, Mary, in 1875.

More Savannah Squares

Calhoun Square
Chatham Square
Chippewa Square
Columbia Square
Crawford Square
Ellis Square
Franklin Square
Greene Square
Johnson Square
Lafayette Square
Liberty and Elbert Squares
Madison Square
Monterey Square
Oglethorpe Square
Orleans Square
Pulaski Square
Reynolds Square
Troup Square
Warren Square
Washington Square
Whitefield Square
Wright Square