This Richardsonian Romanesque landmark near Forsyth Park was designed for George Johnson Baldwin by architect William Gibbons Preston, who was also responsible for the Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory, the old DeSoto Hotel and the Cotton Exchange, among others. Baldwin’s wife Lucy made the home a center of society in late Victorian Savannah.
Recently, my friend John Brown and I had a delightful visit with longtime owner, Alvin Neely. Alvin grew up in Waynesboro, in one of the town’s best-known homes, and his family has a long and prosperous history in Burke and Jefferson counties.
Alvin has continued the tradition of being an elegant host and visiting with him is like a glimpse into another era. He was a good friend of Jim Williams, the main character in John Berendt’s head-turning bestseller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and shared some wonderful anecdotes about those days.
He graciously invited me to photograph throughout the home and I’m grateful to be able to share a few images.
Alvin has carefully decorated the house with antiques that reflect the spirit of the architectural style and the era with which it is associated.
As a result, it is a comfortable and welcoming space.
Over the years, the home has regularly played host to Alvin’s large circle of friends.
Savannah Historic District, National Historic Landmark
I had the great pleasure of attending an event in this home in January 2024 hosted by the Savannah Victorian Society. Since Mr. Alvin Neely has passed away, it is now owned by husband and wife Keith Howington (architect) and Elsie Taliaferro Hill Howington (artist and professor).
The MacAulay family lived in the home at 225 East Hall St. for approximately six years.
We did an incredible job removing all the thick overgrown vines, thus revealing the etched border and cameo on the house. No one had seen that beautiful architecture in decades!
I’m proud we did that! Plus, my mother decorated the house beautifully.
Wonderful old home! 😍
Thank you for this story and photos. So interesting. Just wondering if conservatorship has been arranged after the gentleman is no longer living there? I certainly hope so!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. History is always appreciated.