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Courtesy Best Read Guide

To say that the Scarbrough House, the Regency-style William Jay masterpiece built in 1819 for William and Julia Scarbrough, has had an interesting past is a great understatement. In its 180 year history the mansion has hosted powerful politicians, was the pinnacle of Savannah society, was nearly demolished several times, served as an orphanage, was transformed into the first Savannah public school for blacks, headquartered the Historic Savannah Foundation, and now is home to the Ships of the Sea Museum.

William Scarbrough, president of the Savannah Steamship Company, and his wife Julia were the toast of Savannah. In May 1819, the city was all-abuzz with the excitement of the launch of the S.S. Savannah, the pride of the Savannah Steamship Company and the first steam-powered boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean. With just a few hours to spare before President James Monroe's arrival, William Jay finished the Scarbroughs' mansion complete curved walls and distinctive cornices. Jay's legacy can still be seen in homes and buildings throughout Savannah, including the Owens-Thomas House and the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Julia Scarbrough, called "The Countess" for her airs and propensity for partying, was well known for her love of giving fabulous galas or blowouts as she called them. As noted in Preston Russell and Barbara Hines' Savannah: A History of Her People Since 1733, a visitor to the city wrote, "We hear ladies with families of small children boast of having been out to parties 10 nights in succession until after midnight, and sometimes until 3 o'clock in the morning; and that they had not seen their husbands for a week. Mrs. Scarbrough's parties, which would often have 300 or more people in attendance, would many times last into the early morning light."

In the two years following the Scarbrough House opening, luck would not shine on William and Julia. In 1820, William Scarbrough was declared an insolvent debtor and his new mansion was sold. Scarbrough's family and descendants were allowed to live there until 1851.

The home was a private residence until 1870 when it became an orphanage for six years. In 1878, the Scarbrough House became the first public school in Savannah and one of the first in the south for black children. For 84 years, until 1962, the house served as the West Broad Street Elementary School. After the school's closing, the house almost faced demolition until the Historic Savannah Foundation moved its headquarters into the house in 1976.

A registered National Historic Landmark, the Scarbrough House has been the home of the Ships of the Sea Museum since 1997. The museum gloriously showcases 18th and 19th century Atlantic maritime history with a special emphasis on its importance to Savannah. Ships of the Sea also houses one of the finest scrimshaw collections in existence and has the largest garden in the historic district. A new permanent exhibit will display the ships of the Savannah Line - the Ocean Steamship Company of Savannah. For 70 years, from 1872 to 1942, the line carried passengers and freight between Savannah, New York and Boston. It is open Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, please call 232-1511.

Visit the Scarbrough House website.