April 16, 1903 Colonial Dames Fight to Save City Exchange
On April 16, 1903, the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America began a crusade to save the old City Exchange. In February, City Council announced their plans to demolish the building (erected 1799-c.1801) and replace it with a larger, modern structure to house the city government’s offices. Council’s plans met with little resistance and most citizens were excited about the new building, reflecting little on what it would mean to the old Exchange, described by the Dames as “a silent witness of many notable events in the history of Savannah.”
ENTRANCE TO THE OLD CITY EXCHANGE SHOWING DIRECTORY TO CITY OFFICES
The Old and the New, Sketch of the Old City Exchange (1799-1904), and the New City Hall, Savannah, Georgia.
(Savannah: Savannah City Council, 1905)
City of Savannah Research Library and Municipal Archives, City Hall, Savannah, Georgia
During the Dames’ state convention, held in Savannah at the old De Soto Hotel (now demolished), Mrs. Billington presented Mrs. Waring’s resolution asking that the present City Exchange building not be removed. The text of the resolution was originally “Resolved, That we, the Colonial Dames, at this our general meeting, protest against the removal of this beautiful old structure.” On the motion of Mrs. Charlton, the word “beautiful” was substituted with “historic” considered descriptively more correct. Not all of the Dames were in opposition to the demolition of the Exchange, however they presented a united front to carry their protest as far as they could, all the way to City Council.
Following the Dames’ meeting, Mrs. Waring, with the support of the Colonial Dames’ Committee on Historical Landmarks, set about to secure the support of many influential organizations in Savannah. She approached the presidents of the Cotton Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Board of Trade. Numerous articles appeared in both the Savannah Morning News and the Savannah Evening Press presenting the Dames’ case and outlining the history of the old City Exchange.
The Dames, while not forgetful of the fact that the Exchange building is not Colonial, still, as citizens, they wish[ed] to preserve the few old landmarks still remaining here.
"LONG ROOM" OF THE CITY EXCHANGE, USED BY CITY COUNCIL FOR 89 YEARS, 1815-1904
The Old and the New, Sketch of the Old City Exchange (1799-1904), and the New City Hall, Savannah, Georgia.
(Savannah: Savannah City Council, 1905)
City of Savannah Research Library and Municipal Archives, City Hall, Savannah, Georgia
Sources
“Destruction of Exchange Official Iconoclasm.” Savannah Morning News (26 April 1903), 6:1.
“Monument the Aim.” Savannah Morning News (17 April 1903), 10:3.
“To Save the Old City Exchange.” Savannah Morning News (20 April 1903), 8:2.
Prepared by Luciana M. Spracher, Bricks and Bones Historical Research
for the City of Savannah, Georgia, Research Library and Municipal Archives.
© Copyright 2004 by the City of Savannah, Georgia.
All rights reserved.
|