Brian D.
Yelp
I may be leaving tomorrow, but you're leaving tonight!
Songwriter/lyricist Johnny Mercer's Great Grandfather, Hugh W. Mercer, originally commissioned the construction of this historical home in 1860.
The Civil War delayed the completion.
Misfortune followed, and Mercer eventually sold the home to John Wilder, who completed the construction 1869.
Although no Mercer has ever resided here, it still carries the name.
Jim Williams, the other namesake, an antiques dealer and restorer of historic homes, bought the Mercer House in 1969.
It had been vacant for nearly a decade and in disrepair. Williams painstakingly restored the house to its former glory.
The house is currently owned by Dorothy Kingery, Williams' sister, and is open to the public for tours.
"The Book", (as locals refer to it) "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", and subsequent film, are what catapulted my attention towards this famous house.
In early morning hours of May 2nd, 1981; inside the study of the house was the scene of the shooting death of Danny Hansford, who was Jim Williams' assistant.
Jim Williams, who was tried for the crime, was eventually acquitted.
He is the only person in the state of Georgia ever to be tried four times for the same crime.
On January 14, 1990, six months after the 4th trial, Williams reportedly fell dead in nearly the same spot where Danny Hansford was shot to death. Heart failure, due to illness was to blame.
We took this tour while in Savannah, as it was the pinnacle of my places to visit while in the city. I wasn't disappointed.
The tour meets in the cramped gift shop/Carriage House. One can buy a miniature replica of the Bird Girl sculpture among other things while you wait.
We continued to the back garden of the house where the official tour begins.
We were only allowed to tour the main floor of the house and weren't allowed upstairs for "safety" reasons.
The tour guide was knowledgeable, but a bit haughty. Channeling Jim Williams?
As you walk by the grand staircase, look up!
I was eager to see the scene of the crime, (the study) as we toured the dinning room, hallway, and a restroom.
The main hallway was impressive, with the tiled floor and grand front door.
We eventually made it to the study and everyone perked up.
It was here in this room that the fate of two lives was decided.
We didn't get too much time inside the study, which was roped off, but it was a thrill.
The tour continued to the living room and library/den.
It was neat seeing the art that was collected and walk the halls of this grand home.
Highly recommend