Davenport, Isaiah, House
Why it's listed
Standing directly on the sidewalk facing Columbia Square in Savannah, this four-story brick house was built between 1815 and 1820 by Isaiah Davenport, a Rhode Island-born architect and master builder, as his own residence. Its plain, rectangular exterior is relieved by brownstone trim, tall paired chimneys and a double curved entrance stair with imported Italian iron handrails. Inside, a free-standing circular stair with a mahogany handrail rises through the house, and the drawing room has plaster cornices and hand-carved woodwork. By 1954 the building had decayed into a crowded tenement and faced demolition. Public protest led to the founding of the Historic Savannah Foundation, which restored the house and later opened it as a museum in 1963. The restoration encouraged renovation of nearby properties. Protective covenants now guard the building's integrity, and its basement serves as foundation offices.
Significance in brief: The house keeps its original appearance and is noted for the simplicity of its exterior and the charm of its interior, including a free-standing circular stair and a double semi-circular entrance stairway. It blends Georgian, Regency and Greek Revival (Early Republican) elements. Its rescue from demolition in 1954 led to the founding of the Historic Savannah Foundation and sparked restoration of the surrounding neighborhood.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000374, listed September 22, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 324 E. State St., Savannah |
|---|---|
| County | Chatham County |
| Listed | September 22, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000374 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1815-1820 |
| Architect / builder | Isaiah Davenport |
| Architectural style | Early Republican (blending Georgian, Regency and Greek Revival elements) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored in 1954 and opened as a house museum in August 1963; the basement houses the offices of the Historic Savannah Foundation, and the attic is left unrestored. Protective covenants govern any future sale. |
| Within district | Savannah Historic District |
| Coordinates | 32.07742, -81.08817 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000374.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6078494
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.