Built between 1822-23 and remodeled in 1883, the home of merchant Humphrey B. Gwathney is a residential gem of Broughton Street, known as Savannah’s “main street”. According to the Beehive Foundation, “Historical records and regional property history reveal that Gwathney was an antebellum merchant and prominent resident who commissioned the construction of the Humphrey B. Gwathney House at 401 East Broughton Street around 1822–1823. Like virtually all wealthy property owners in Savannah during this era, his wealth, business operations, and domestic household relied heavily on the labor of enslaved individuals.”

The house was restored in 1994-1995 by the nonprofit Beehive Foundation in 1994-95, which is one of Savannah’s greatest assets, publishing fine books about the history and culture of Georgia and the South. Founded by Mills Bee Lane IV as the Beehive Press in 1970, Beehive has been at the forefront of historic preservation for nearly five decades. Lane’s monumental 11-volume series, The Architecture of the Old South, has done more to bring attention to Southern architecture than any other source. And Lane wasn’t just a cultural observer, he was actively involved in saving and preserving landmarks throughout his life.

Savannah Historic District, National Historic Landmark