The Olde Pink House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Olde Pink House |
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The Pink House
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The Olde Pink House in 2017
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| Former names | Habersham House |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Location | Savannah, Georgia, United States |
| Address | 23 Abercorn Street |
| Coordinates | 32°04′47″N 81°05′23″W / 32.079672°N 81.089792°W |
| Construction started | 1771 |
| Completed | 1789 |
| Owner | Donna Moeckel |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Floor area | ~16,000 sq. ft |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Joseph Clay (original); Mark P. Finlay Architects (2006 expansion) |
The Olde Pink House is a famous restaurant and tavern located in Savannah, Georgia. It is also known as The Pink House and was once called Habersham House. This historic building, found on Abercorn Street near Reynolds Square, was first built in 1771.
A special feature of the building is a large, grand window above its main entrance. This type of window is called a Palladian window, known for its classic design.
Contents
History of the Pink House
Early Days and First Owner
The building was finished in 1789 and was first known as Habersham House. It was named after its owner, James Habersham, Jr.. He was an important person in early Savannah, involved in the cotton trade and a member of one of the city's founding families. James Habersham, Jr. lived in the house until he passed away in 1799. The land for the house was originally given to him by the British government.
The house was lucky to survive a big fire in Savannah in 1796. This fire destroyed 229 other buildings in the city, but the Habersham House remained standing.
Becoming a Bank and New Features
In 1812, the house became Planters Bank. This was a very important event because it was the first bank ever established in Georgia. Around this time, some changes were made to the building. A large porch, called a portico, was added to the front. This porch was supported by strong columns. Also, a new section was built on the north side of the house.
Changing Hands and Uses
After the American Civil War, the house was sold many times and used for different purposes. It served as an attorney's office and even a bookstore. Between 1930 and 1943, it was a popular place called Alida Harper Fowlkes' Georgian Tea Room.
In the mid-1900s, a man named James Arthur Williams bought the building. He worked to restore it, bringing back its original beauty.
Restoration and Reopening as a Restaurant
In 1970, Herschel McCallar, Jr. and Jeffrey Keith purchased the building for about $60,000. They spent a year carefully restoring it. This included lifting the entire building to fix its foundation, which made all the doors and moldings fit perfectly again.
During the restoration, they found two old fireplaces in the basement that had been hidden. These were the original cooking areas from the 1700s and are now a special part of the bar. They also changed the staircase to bring back its 18th-century look and added a new staircase to the tavern area. New plumbing, electricity, and a modern kitchen were also installed.
Jeffrey Keith also opened an antique store on the second floor. They traveled to England to buy many 18th-century antiques and paintings that you can still see in the restaurant today. The restaurant officially opened its doors in 1971.
New Owners and Recent Additions
In 1992, Jeffrey Keith sold the building to William and Elizabeth Balish. They continued to care for the building, keeping the beautiful restoration work done by McCallar and Keith. Today, Donna Moeckel, the daughter of the Balishes, is the current owner.
In 2006, a new section called Arches Bar was added to the south side of the building. There is also a cozy cellar tavern called Planters Tavern, which has a special wine vault for private dinners. In total, the restaurant has thirteen different dining rooms.
In December 2018, a fire started in the upstairs ballroom. This caused damage and the building had to close for four months for repairs.
Images for kids
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Southeast corner of the Olde Pink House.
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A close-up of the main entrance porch.
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The building when it was Alida Harper Fowlkes' Georgian Tea Room in the 1930s and '40s.
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Arches Bar, located on the first floor on the building's southern side, was part of a 2006 expansion.
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The Olde Pink House being repainted in 2020.
Similar Buildings
A Nearby Copy
An almost identical house was built in 1928 at 102 East Gaston Street. This house is located just beyond the northeastern corner of Forsyth Park.
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102 East Gaston Street, sometime after 1928.
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The house at 102 East Gaston Street in 2020.
