Telfair Museums facts for kids
 |
|
Telfair Academy in 2015
|
|
| Location | Savannah, Georgia United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Art museum |
| Public transit access | Chatham Area Transit |
The Telfair Museums in Savannah, Georgia is a really cool place! It was the very first public art museum in the southern part of the United States. A kind and important lady named Mary Telfair (who lived from 1791 to 1875) left money in her will to start this museum. It first opened its doors in 1886. The museum is in her old family home, which is now called the Telfair Academy.
Today, the museum has more than 4,500 amazing pieces of art! You can see paintings, sculptures, and drawings from America and Europe. These artworks are spread across three different buildings. Two of these buildings, the Telfair Academy (built in 1818) and the Owens-Thomas House (built in 1816), are very old and important historic places. They were designed by a British architect named William Jay. The third building is the modern Jepson Center for the Arts, which opened in 2006 and was designed by Moshe Safdie.
Contents
Exploring the Museum Buildings
Each of the three museum buildings has a special collection of art. The art in each building usually matches the time period when the building was built.
Telfair Academy: Art from the Past
The Telfair Academy building lets you step back in time! It has two rooms that look just like they did in the 1800s. This building also shows American and European art from the 1800s and 1900s. You can see paintings, drawings, sculptures, and beautiful decorative items here. The famous Bird Girl statue is currently on display in this building.
Owens-Thomas House: History and Homes
The Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters is like a time capsule. It holds a collection of decorative items, mostly furniture that belonged to the Owens family. You can also see American and European objects from 1750 to 1830. This site also includes well-preserved slave quarters and a beautiful formal garden.
Jepson Center: Modern Art and Fun
The Jepson Center for the Arts is all about modern art! It has galleries filled with art from the American South and African American artists. You can also see photography and different kinds of drawings. This center has special spaces for big traveling art shows. There's even a gallery just for the community and a special gallery for kids! Plus, you can enjoy sculptures on two outdoor terraces.
