Jan 21, 1974
Green-Meldrim House (St. John's Parish House) - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The Gothic Revival styled Green-Meldrim House is primarily significant for its architectural merit, its association with the New York architect, John S. Norris, and as the home of the Charles Green family. It is now used by the adjacent St. John's Church as a meeting place The Green-Meldrim House is a splendid display of grandeur and exempla of mid-19th century Savannah high society. Rococo mirrors, marble mantels, intricately carved moldings and luxuries such as bathrooms with running water, gas lighted domes and multiple sliding doors present a structure of lavish construction. In design its Gothic forms reflect the fashion for medieval architecture which had swept England after the Houses of Parliament were rebuilt in this style. The house, lavish in construction and taking eleven years to build, was said to have been the most expensive house built in Savannah up to that time. According to the Green family records the cost was $93,000. The two lots on which the house is built were purchased in June of 1850 and building was started July 24, 1850. The tax digest of January1, 1854, indicate that the taxes at that date covered land and improvements. Family records indicate that improvements continued until 1861. John S. Norris, listed in the New York City Directory in 1847 as an architect, is connected with the building of this house. According to the Green family records, there are receipts kept by Mr. Charles Green covering the building of the house which were signed by "John’s. Norris as agent for Charles Green." Norris, credited with the designs for the Customs House, the Mercer Wilder House, the Low House, and 548 E. Broughton Street - Savannah structures all built about the time of the Green-Meldrim construction - could have been responsible for some part of the building, design or at least the supervision of the Charles Green house. Mr. Charles Green, the house 's original owner, was an Englishman who had come to Savannah in 1833. He was in the cotton and shipping business and was very successful. Being an Englishman and supposedly neutral in the Civil War, Green invited General William T. Sherman to make his Savannah headquarters in his home. This Sherman did and occupied the house from December 22 ,1864, until February 1, 1865. After Mr. Green 's death the house became the property of his son, Edward Moon Green, and then it passed from his ownership to Judge Peter w. Meldrim on July 14, 1892. The Meldrim family owned the house until December 30, 1943 when it was purchased by St. John's Church for use as a parish house. The house has currently become of great interest to scholars and admire of the author Julian Green, who is the grandson of Mr. Charles Green. Julian Green has recently been elected to the French Academy, being the only foreign author so honored. The house was completely renovated by St. John ‘s Church in 1968 and is used for church meetings and functions.
Green-Meldrim House (St. John's Parish House) - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The Gothic Revival styled Green-Meldrim House is primarily significant for its architectural merit, its association with the New York architect, John S. Norris, and as the home of the Charles Green family. It is now used by the adjacent St. John's Church as a meeting place The Green-Meldrim House is a splendid display of grandeur and exempla of mid-19th century Savannah high society. Rococo mirrors, marble mantels, intricately carved moldings and luxuries such as bathrooms with running water, gas lighted domes and multiple sliding doors present a structure of lavish construction. In design its Gothic forms reflect the fashion for medieval architecture which had swept England after the Houses of Parliament were rebuilt in this style. The house, lavish in construction and taking eleven years to build, was said to have been the most expensive house built in Savannah up to that time. According to the Green family records the cost was $93,000. The two lots on which the house is built were purchased in June of 1850 and building was started July 24, 1850. The tax digest of January1, 1854, indicate that the taxes at that date covered land and improvements. Family records indicate that improvements continued until 1861. John S. Norris, listed in the New York City Directory in 1847 as an architect, is connected with the building of this house. According to the Green family records, there are receipts kept by Mr. Charles Green covering the building of the house which were signed by "John’s. Norris as agent for Charles Green." Norris, credited with the designs for the Customs House, the Mercer Wilder House, the Low House, and 548 E. Broughton Street - Savannah structures all built about the time of the Green-Meldrim construction - could have been responsible for some part of the building, design or at least the supervision of the Charles Green house. Mr. Charles Green, the house 's original owner, was an Englishman who had come to Savannah in 1833. He was in the cotton and shipping business and was very successful. Being an Englishman and supposedly neutral in the Civil War, Green invited General William T. Sherman to make his Savannah headquarters in his home. This Sherman did and occupied the house from December 22 ,1864, until February 1, 1865. After Mr. Green 's death the house became the property of his son, Edward Moon Green, and then it passed from his ownership to Judge Peter w. Meldrim on July 14, 1892. The Meldrim family owned the house until December 30, 1943 when it was purchased by St. John's Church for use as a parish house. The house has currently become of great interest to scholars and admire of the author Julian Green, who is the grandson of Mr. Charles Green. Julian Green has recently been elected to the French Academy, being the only foreign author so honored. The house was completely renovated by St. John ‘s Church in 1968 and is used for church meetings and functions.
Jan 21, 1974
Posted Date
Mar 28, 2022
Historical Record Date
Jan 21, 1974
Source Name
United States Department of Interior - National Park Service
