Reinhard House

This German vernacular farmhouse is a unique survivor of Savannah’s 19th century architectural history. It was moved, to escape demolition, to its current location at Savannah Botanical Gardens in 1990. Today it serves as the host site and headquarters for the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs and its member clubs.

Future plans for the house include further renovation for historical accuracy, expansion of the horticultural library, and the creation of a Reinhard House Association to explore the farm family lifestyle of 19th century coastal Georgia.

It is a circa 1840 farmhouse, built of heart pine with gingerbread trim.  Originally located on 12 acres known as the Reinhard Farm, this house was moved twice to make way for Hillcrest Cemetery and the Truman Parkway.  It is a rare example of rural architecture and one of only two pre-Civil War farmhouses in the Savannah area.

Original owners were William & Anna Reinhard, who later deeded the land to Frank Werm, son of Anna.

Other residents were the Meyer family who sailed from Germany to Savannah with their three daughters.  Mr. Meyers contracted yellow fever aboard ship and was buried at sea.  His wife Anna took possession of the property.  With the help of Polly Berrian, a slave who was purchased in Charleston, S.C., the family farmed the land.  Meyers’ family members along with Polly are buried in Savannah.  When the Botanical Gardens were dedicated in 1991, Polly’s grandson, Anchors Jones attended the ceremony.

The Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. which sponsors the Botanical Garden was instrumental in land acquisition to create the garden and saving the farmhouse from destruction.  The farmhouse was moved to it’s present location in 1992.  Land was provided by Chatham County.

Structurally, the farmhouse was in amazingly good shape before it was moved.  After nine months of restoration the farmhouse was complete.

The Botanical Gardens consists of 10 acres, which include, magnificent rose gardens, winter, fall, herb, children’s garden, vegetable gardens, camellia, perennial, shade and fern gardens.  Nature trails run around a lovely pond.  The gardens also include an amphitheater and archaeological study site.  The Wildlife Federations have recognized the Botanical Gardens as an official wildlife habitat.

The Garden is sponsored by the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. a non-profit organization consisting of 15 garden clubs.