Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters

Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters gives families a guided look at early-1800s Savannah through both wealth and enslavement. The property includes the neoclassical mansion, a carriage house, original slave quarters, an orientation gallery and a garden that was once a work yard. Interpretation does not focus only on furniture and architecture.

Guides explain how the lives of the wealthy Richardson and Owens families depended on enslaved people who cooked, cleaned, washed clothing, cared for children and maintained the household.

This is best for older elementary children, tweens and teens who can follow a 45-60 minute history tour. The discussion includes slavery, unequal power and harsh living conditions. Preschoolers may struggle with the length and serious material, while older children can compare the formal public rooms with the basement workspaces and slave quarters.

Caregivers should introduce the topic before arriving and leave time for questions afterward.

Tours depart at 15-minute intervals, but that does not mean a walk-up space is guaranteed. Daily capacity is limited, and tours can sell out. Visitors can reserve up to four weeks ahead when space is available. Everyone must still check in at the onsite ticket booth, including people who bought tickets online or at another Telfair site. Arrive at least five minutes before the assigned tour.

Admission is sold only as a three-site Telfair Museums pass. It costs $30 per adult, $10 for ages 6 to 12 and is free for children 5 and younger. The pass includes all three Telfair sites and remains valid for seven days. A family with two adults and two children ages 6 to 12 pays $80. That price makes more sense if the family also visits the Jepson Center and Telfair Academy.

Original staircases remain in the mansion and there is no elevator. The Orientation Gallery and Slave Quarters have ramped entrances, but the main building is not ADA accessible. Benches and chairs are available for visitors who skip parts of the route.

Because movement between buildings includes the courtyard and garden, heavy rain can make the visit awkward. The official pages do not confirm stroller storage, baby-changing facilities or onsite food.