Telfair Museums

The Telfair Museums in Savannah, Georgia, is a major cultural institution spread across three historic and modern buildings in the Savannah Historic District. The oldest building, the Telfair Academy, was built in the early 19th century in the Neoclassical style and today houses two period rooms with original furnishings as well as an extensive collection of European and American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts. Particularly noteworthy are works of American Impressionism and the Ashcan School. Another highlight is the Owens-Thomas House, a grand residence from the English Regency era, which displays furniture belonging to the Owens family and decorative arts from the period between 1750 and 1830. Both historic buildings are protected landmarks. The newest building, the Jepson Center, which opened in 2006, rounds out the ensemble with space for temporary exhibitions, lectures, and art education programs. It also showcases the private collection of art historian Kirk Varnedoe, which includes works on paper by leading 20th-century artists such as Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, and Frank Stella. Visitors get to experience a unique combination of historic architecture and a rich array of art history.