How much does the lecture cost?

Admission is free for Historic Savannah Foundation members and $15 for non-members.

Do I need to reserve a spot?

Yes—space is limited to 45 seats; reserve at www.myhsf.org/events/lecture-series/.

When should I arrive?

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the wine reception; the lecture begins at 6:00 p.m.

Is the venue accessible?

Accessibility details were not provided in the event listing—contact Kendall Graham at kgraham@myhsf.org for specific needs.

Who can I contact for more information?

Email Kendall Graham at kgraham@myhsf.org for questions about the lecture series.

Clermont Lee and the Fight for Savannah's Squares — HSF Lecture at 323 E. Broughton Street | History Tour | Events

Q: Where is the event held?

The lecture takes place at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center inside the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy at 323 E. Broughton Street.

Savannah's squares are both public rooms and arguments; on March 19 the Historic Savannah Foundation brings a focused evening on one of their stewards. HSF Lecture: “Clermont Lee and the Fight for Savannah's Squares” takes place at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center inside the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy at 323 E. Broughton Street in Savannah, Georgia. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a wine reception and the lecture begins at 6:00 p.m.

Landscape architect Clermont Lee is often remembered for the simple, practical act of rounding the corners of Savannah’s squares to discourage vehicular shortcuts, but her influence goes deeper. This illustrated lecture traces Lee’s campaigns in mid-twentieth century Savannah, her advocacy for Troup Square in particular, and the network of neighbors, planners, and politicians she mobilized to protect the city's public green rooms. Expect archival photos, plans, and close readings of the live oak-canopied plazas that define downtown Savannah.

For visiting outdoor lovers, the talk is more than history; it is context for the city’s unique urban landscape. Savannah’s grid of squares—laid out in the eighteenth century as part of James Oglethorpe’s original plan—creates short, walkable blocks framed by historic facades, Spanish moss, and brick paths. Troup Square, with its unusual corner treatments and layered plantings, becomes a case study in how design decisions shape how people move through and care for green space.

Practical details matter: the program is free for HSF members; $15 for non-members. Space is limited (45 seats), and reservations are recommended via www.myhsf.org/events/lecture-series/. For questions, contact Kendall Graham at [email protected]. The reception beforehand offers a chance to meet local preservationists and scout nearby alleys and facades for evening photographs.

Beyond the lecture, plan a short walking loop after the event. Photograph the Preservation Center’s historic storefront at 323 E. Broughton Street, step into Troup Square to study Lee’s rounded corners, and look up at the live oaks for context. The evening is ideal for travelers who want to pair urban wandering with a sharper understanding of how civic design and advocacy keep public landscapes intact. Whether you’re a preservation-minded visitor, an architecture student, or someone who appreciates quieter city parks, this program provides a precise, insider view of why Savannah’s squares remain central to the city’s identity.

Historic Savannah Foundation has anchored preservation work in neighborhoods, making the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center a hub for learning and action. That connection between advocacy and everyday use makes this lecture a standout: it's timed to an urban stroll, pairing indoor storytelling with outdoor exploration of plantings, curb details, and pedestrian patterns showing how residents and visitors use Savannah’s greenspaces. The event turns preservation into a practical guide.

About Davenport House Museum

Davenport House Museum in Savannah, GA, preserves and interprets a finely restored Federal-style home built in 1820.

The museum offers guided tours, self-guided visits, workshops, seasonal festivals, and educational events that highlight domestic life, architectural preservation, and community history. Knowledgeable docents lead guided tours through elegantly furnished rooms while sharing documented stories of the Davenport family and the 13 enslaved workers who lived and worked at the house. The museum also presents shorter programs such as the Old Chan Magic Talks that illuminate the building’s time as a tenement and its connection to Savannah’s Chinese-American Chan family.

Hands-on offerings include broom making and seasonal craft workshops, plus collaborative public events like the Davenport House Fall Arts Festival and Holiday Wreath Decorating held nearby in Columbia Square and at the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy. Visitors can choose a self-guided tour across the first three floors to explore architecture and exhibition panels at their own pace, or attend specialized demonstrations and family-focused preservation activities.

Davenport House Museum documents ongoing conservation efforts and engages visitors with visible preservation work and interpretive signage. The site maintains archival records and educational resources to support research and school programs. As an established historic house museum in Savannah’s historic district, Davenport House Museum partners with local cultural organizations and relies on trained staff and volunteers to ensure accurate, responsibly presented history for scholars, families, and visitors seeking an authentic window into early 19th-century Savannah life. Programming is suitable for researchers, students, families, and cultural heritage visitors and scholars.