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Telfair Academy
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The Telfair Academy is the oldest public art museum in the South and the first art museum in America founded by a woman. Formerly the Telfair family mansion, the museum opened its doors to the public in 1886. The Telfair Academy presents a celebrated collection of fine art, decorative art, and period rooms, displayed within the stunning architectural setting designed by European architects William Jay and Detlef Lienau. It is also home to the Bird Girl statue made famous by the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
The Telfair Academy, located on Telfair Square in the heart of the city’s famous historic district, has been Savannah’s wedding reception location of choice for decades. Tracing its history to 1883, the Telfair is the oldest public art museum in the South. Designed by English architect William Jay and completed c. 1820, the Telfair Academy is a National Historic Landmark building. This elegant building provides every event held there with a backdrop of world-class art and historic architecture. With its romantic, three-story Rotunda, classically beautiful Sculpture Gallery, remarkable period rooms, and intimate galleries featuring works from temporary traveling shows and from the museum’s own permanent collection, the Telfair Academy will make any size event truly memorable. The two largest rooms in the Telfair Academy are the Rotunda and the Sculpture Gallery. The Rotunda can accommodate as many as 100 for a sit-down dinner and 150 for a cocktail reception. The Sculpture Gallery can accommodate up to 100 for a sit-down dinner and 150 for cocktails.The facility provides ample room for musicians and dancing.
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Old meets new and past, present and future intersect at Telfair Museums, making it the perfect venue to say I do. Whether you prefer a National Historic Landmark steeped in history or a modern, state-of-the-art building, you’re sure to find the perfect venue for your special day at one of our sites. The Telfair Academy has been Savannah’s wedding reception location of choice for decades. Designed by English architect William Jay and completed c.1820, this elegant building provides every event held there with a backdrop of world-class art and historic architecture. With its romantic, three-story Rotunda, classically beautiful Sculpture Gallery, remarkable period rooms, and intimate galleries featuring works from temporary traveling shows and from the museum’s own permanent collection, the Telfair Academy will make any size event truly memorable.
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Facilities Overview
Meeting Rooms: 2
TripAdvisor® Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
K I | Feb 16, 2026Expected more
Left with disappointment. I thought we would see more famous portraits similar to recentl visits in Chicago, Kansas City and Philly. Interestly it's in the home of former Royal Governor SirJames ...
Richard C | Jan 17, 2026A very interesting museum with some world class pieces
The Telfair Academy, on the square which bears its name, has a collection with some big surprises. Take some time to examine the paintings and you'll find work by Child Hassam, Kahil Gibran (oh, how ...
BruinDan | Jun 21, 2025More than just the Bird Girl
Located on Barnard Street just off Telfair Square in Savannah’s Historic District, the Telfair Academy was opened in 1886 as the first public art museum in the southern United States. It is probably ...
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