Having the ability to see people’s real motives, can be an eternal gift…

Keeping an eye on the living is the norm here.

Lovers of art while alive still are as spirits.

Unrequited love and betrayal can result in an eternal bitterness…

DESCRIPTION

“The Little Palace.”

The Telfair Academy of Art and Sciences is housed in the impressive Telfair Mansion, that is one of three properties run by The Telfair Museum of Art; three separate and distinct facilities operated by the same organization. The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences is a traditional art museum that has been much improved since being a mansion known as “The Little Palace.”

The Jepson Center for the Arts, which focuses on modern art in a flashy modern building; “catty-cornered” to the older structure of Telfair Academy; the mansion itself. The Telfair organization also operates the Owens-Thomas House, a house museum.

The historic Telfair Mansion is a large, two story, impressive rectangular structure that included a reception room, dining room, drawing room, bedrooms on the second floor, kitchens, cellar, and other service rooms on the basement level. Today in the museum, three interior rooms; the dining room, the kitchen, and the reception room, have been restored to reflect the era of Alexander Telfair, Margret and Mary Telfair’s grandfather. There are many portraits of prominent members of Savannah’s well-known families as well are hanging in the halls and rooms of the mansion.

The upstairs bedrooms have been renovated to be museum display rooms. The large, beautiful 1886 addition is home to the large Gallery where big exhibits can be seen. The Telfair Academy has also collected its own art and have guest artists display their work as well.

HISTORY

This site is in a prime location! The Telfair Mansion was built on the site of a former mansion that was built for the British Colonial Governor.

“In the Colonial and Revolutionary periods “Government House” stood on this site. Yes indeed! This former house was the residence of the Royal Governors of Georgia; loyalists to the crown. Here on the night of January 18, 1776, in one of the dramatic episodes of the American Revolution, Major Joseph Habersham, commanding a small force of patriots walked alone into the chamber where Governor Wright was conferring with his Council and announced, “Sir James, you are my prisoner.” Habersham later became Postmaster-General of the United States.”

Sometime during the Revolutionary War, the house must of been destroyed; or simply demolished to rid the community of its bad memories. In 1818 Edward Telfair, son of Revolutionary Patriot; Alexander Telfair, who also was one of Georgia’s early post-independence governors, bought this large property. Edward Telfair commissioned popular British architect William Jay to design and build his showcase town home; The Telfair Mansion. British architect William Jay, had made his superior reputation as an architect in Savannah, by designing and building such beautiful buildings as The Savannah Theatre and the Owens-Thomas House.

On the exterior, Jay designed “a symmetrical façade with a central porch supported by four columns with cast stone capitals.” On the interior, the public rooms were placed on either side of a grand entrance hallway and staircase. Edward Telfair and his wife had one son; Richard, and two daughters; Margaret and Mary, the youngest child.

While the Telfair family lived in this little palace, they generously gave to organizations that helped the people of Savannah. While the daughters were not blessed with physical beauty, they both were blessed with smarts and the family’s fortitude and personal courage.

The eldest daughter, Margaret, married during her 40s’, to William Brown Hodgson while Mary remained single. Mary lived at the family home with her brother, Richard. When Richard died, he didn’t have a wife or heirs, so he left the entire estate to his dependable, very competent, serious sister, Mary.

Mary continued to financially help such organizations as the hospital in Savannah. The idea for this public museum idea started a few years earlier during a tour of Europe. In her 1775 will, she wanted to insure that the Telfair art collections would be preserved for the public, that the mansion would be maintained, and if she provided the funds to do so, it surely would be done.

She bequeathed the mansion and all its furniture and art collections to The Georgia Historical Society, so they would open up the mansion as a museum. When a Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, INC Corporation was formed in 1920, The Georgia Historical Society turned it all over to this Telfair Academy Organization.

And, of course, people enthusiastically got to work. “In the 1880s, the entrance hall was opened up to allow public groups to more easily enter what was once a private home. The original staircase was removed, as was the original octagonal skylight. Pine floors were covered in marble, and a marble staircase was installed at the end of the entrance hall leading to the upstairs bedrooms (also altered) and the new addition. The upper part of the entrance hall was originally open in the center with walkways on either side leading into the Telfairs’ bedrooms.”

“The mansion was remodeled and enlarged with an extension by architect Carl N. Brandt. The extension added certain elements to the original plan which was approximately sixty feet, six inches by 64 feet. The addition gave an overall dimension of one hundred and sixty-eight in length including a three story addition on the rear of its ‘Trust lot’ that faces Telfair Square.”

“The remodeling also included the addition of an attic story, replacing a wooden stairway with a marble one, blocking off certain windows, and placing five gigantic Renaissance-style statues representing culture at the entrance.”

By the end of all the renovations, there were two galleries; the Rotunda Gallery full of paintings, and the Sculpture Gallery in the large addition in the back.

The glorious statues standing in the front were the cherries on the top of this glorious renovation. “In 1883, Carl Brandt was given $20,000 cash and a ticket to Europe to acquire the art for a brand-new museum in Savannah. Carl Brandt arrived in Vienna to visit the studio of Victor Tilgner, one of the best sculptors of the period. Taken by the artist’s work, Brandt ordered five sculptures of great artists to put in front of the new museum in Savannah. All of the sculptures were to be seven feet, six inches high. They were to be made of marzano, a hard limestone from the town of the same name.”

“The steamship City of Savannah arrived in its namesake port in the fall of 1884 with the first two statues; Phidias, and Michelangelo soon followed by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Raphael. They were situated in the front of the building to enhance the mansion’s elegant façade and to announce to visitors that this was no longer a private home. They were indeed entering a temple of the arts!”

The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences opened its doors on May 3, 1886. It was a free museum for the public, that became a beloved city landmark and treasure. As the years went by, fundraisers, and charging an entrance fee kept the much beloved Telfair Academy rolling nicely along.

Apparently, a spirit is keeping an eye on the living.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

One theory: Unrequited love, and/or betrayal of a person thought to be a beloved can cause anger and bitterness that can last into spirit form.

Plains Hotel, WY (Betrayal and hurt caused the deaths of three people.)

Hotel Adolphus, TX (A bride that was stood up at her own wedding killed herself.)

Biltmore Hotel, FL (Adultery caused pain, anger and death.)

Telfair Academy, GA

One story tells the sad tale of the two sisters, Margaret and Mary, falling in love with the same man, William Brown Hodgson. Both of these sisters were not given the gift of physical beauty, but had enormous intellect and common sense. On an Italian holiday, both sisters met the charming suitor, who in the end chose Margaret; an action which some say that caused a falling out between the sisters.

This probably isn’t the case with Mary and Margaret. Another source debunks this story. It was obvious from the start that this fellow, William Brown Hodgson, had fallen head-over-heels in love with Margaret from the start. Margaret was a hefty soul, forty-five years at the time, and older than Mary. Her suitor was attracted to big women, and was stricken with love for her. Mary would go to visit her sister Margaret and her husband,William, so there was no hard feelings as claimed. Infact, today, William Brown Hodgson has his own display and portrait on the wall in The Telfair Academy.

Living people who were annoyed by certain types of people, because of their behavior, don’t change when they go to the spirit world.

Bullock Hotel, SD (Seth while alive saw gambling promoters as dishonest snakes, and his opinion hasn’t changed a bit.)

Harpers Ferry Guest House, WV (A spectral gentleman hated the union soldiers doing the Civil War which he has carried into his haunting of the Guest House.)

Colonel Michael Swope Townhouse, VA (While alive, Colonel Michael Swope detested the British; a feeling he has kept as a spirit)

Telfair Academy, GA

(Mary was a no nonsense, strong-willed lady who was very intelligent and handled the family fortune very well indeed. She never found the “right man” because she could see a fortune hunter at ten feet, and she had very high standards for a possible husband. She knew her physical appearance wasn’t considered beautiful by her society’s standards, and she also knew men had their eye on the family fortune. Amorous intentions of possible suitors were looked on suspiciously. Rich women had to be careful who they married. Mary wanted to stay in control of the family assets.)

When a favorite structure is bequeathed to become a museum or library or historic museum for the public, the person who donates his or her favorite building may want to stick around in spirit form to keep an eye on the living who are in charge:especially, if he or she were used to being in charge.

Andrew Bayne Memorial Library, Pittsburgh, PA ( Miss Bayne loves to be involved in her library that she set up in her will.)

Speed Museum, KY ( Madam Speed likes to keep her hand in the every day chores of the museum; even checking up on employees.)

Belmont Mansion, TN (Mrs. Berlmont doesn’t quite trust the living so she sticks around to supervise.)

Telfair Mansion, GA (Mary donated her beloved Telfair Mansion so it and its property could be an art museum for the public. She willed a boatload of money to establish and maintain this generous gift of structure and land. Plus, all of the Telfair family’s art collections that she cared about very much were also donated to this new museum of art. She very well may stick around to keep an eye on the living, and feel that she still is in charge. In fact, it is “Her way or the highway,” concerning some requirements she had written in her instructions for this museum.)

Former spectral owners may also stick around to enjoy their memories of their favorite structure in this world, especially if their specific furniture or former possessions wind up on display.

The Mary Washington House Museum, VA (Mary Washington still enjoys her home while keeping an eye on the docents.)

Pittock Mansion, OR (Mr. and Mrs. Pittock are enjoying their dream home, not minding sharing.)

Moss Mansion Museum, MT (Moss Mansion holds a family’s treasures; both items and its spirits.)

Telfair Mansion, GA (Mary had spend her entire life living in this magnificent mansion, and she died here as well. Plus, some valued family possessions are also on display.)

When a structure is renovated, and even has improvements added to the property, this may please or displease spirits who are attached to this place, and activate them in this world.

Chateau at Coindre Hall, NY (The original owners love the restoration done and all the social events that are scheduled there.)

The Peninsula School, CA (The original owner and her father are very pleased with the school that lives in their mansion.)

Poughkeepsie Church, NY (A Spirit of a priest was very unhappy about the renovations done to His office at the church.)

The Telfair Mansion was renovated to be a grand museum with a Rotunda and Gallery in the home, and a second building was added to create another beautiful gallery for statues. The spirit of Mary must be thrilled; it is more than she could have imagined.

MANIFESTATIONS

STILL HAUNTED?

Yes Indeed! The spirit of Mary Telfair is still front and center, enjoying her mansion, her art museum and likes supervising the living; making sure they follow her simple requests, as well as putting annoying mediums in their place.

The activities listed above has been experienced by the staff and visitors.

During the fall, various ghost tours take people around to various haunted places. One such tour; Ghost Party, has a map of places where they go, and Telfair Academy is on their map. One person left a comment on their website that she got to go on an investigation of Telfair Academy. No hard evidence has been posted or shared on line though.

LOCATION

121 Barnard Street, Savannah, GA 31401

In Central Historical Savannah, The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences:(Museum of Art), is located on Bernard Street, between West York Lane and W. York Street.Telfair Square is located on the other side of Bernard Street, in the block next to Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences. ” It occupies an entire block, bounded by Barnard, West President, North Jefferson, and West State Streets.”

The Telfair Academy is just a short walk away from the Jepson Center in Savannah.

SOURCES INCLUDE

• HAUNTED PLACES:The National Directory, by Dennis William Hauck, Penguin Books, 2002
• Wheretraveler website:, Description of Telfair Academy (of Arts and Sciences) (Museum of Art)
• Savannah Ghost Hunter tours;(business web site), Savannah Ghost Hunter Tours by Ghost Party
• Telfair website, visit web page on their website.
• Wikipedia website, their Telfair_Academy webpage.
• Telfair website article:The Story of Telfair Academy’s Iconic Sculptures
• NP Gallery Digital Assets, Telfair Academy npgallery.nps.gov, 76000612
• Bonnie Blue Tours blog, JULY 12, 2014 Article:Careless Lies Told by Careless Guides; Mary Telfair never married because of a thwarted romance

Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr

Special Thanks to Nate Lee for some of the photographs

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