Forsyth Park Fountain

Here are some #OMGFacts about Forsyth Park. All facts are designed for brevity, and are 14o characters or less. Feel free to tweet them, recite them to friends, or use them as you please. You may add your own 140-character facts/tweets in comments.

• The park was originally created in the 1840s on 10 acres of land. In 1851, the park was expanded &  named for Ga. Governor John Forsyth.
• Standing in the middle of Forsyth Park lies the Confederate Memorial Statue, commemorating those volunteers who fought for the Confederacy.
• The park hosts a fort, built in 1912 for the Georgia National Guard. The fort was converted into a cafe/rest area/band shell this year.
• The Forsyth Park fort/band shell renovations cost $6.5 Million. They started in 2004, and were completed in Dec. 2009.
• The Forsyth Park fountain was added in 1858, and is similar to Place de la Concorde in Paris. It is Savannah’s most photographed monuments.

Forsyth Park is located in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District. You can learn more about Savannah’s history by reading Savannah #OMGFacts, or better yet, visiting Savannah. Make sure you stay at Heritage House, a Historic District Savannah vacation rental, when you come.

For Immediate Release

Savannah, GA – June 8, 2010: Looking for a family vacation everyone will enjoy? Bring them to Savannah, GA for a Beach/History getaway, where you can stay in the city’s famed Historic District for an exceptional price, and make daytrips to beautiful Tybee Beach.

Heritage House, a 134-year-old, 2 bedroom/2.5 bath townhome, is renting for just $149 a night, plus taxes and cleaning fees. Accommodates up to six. (Discounted from $199 a night).

The Historic District vacation rental is fully furnished, and walking distance to all of Savannah’s tourist attractions, restaurants, walking tours, shopping and historical monuments. The house is also just a 20-minute car ride to Tybee Beach, which features lovely, public beaches.
It also features:

# High Speed Internet
# A Fully Equipped Kitchen – refrigerator, pots, pans, dishware, silverware, glassware, stove, coffee maker, blender, microwave and more
# 2 Bedrooms with their own private bathrooms
# 1/2 bath downstairs
# Sleeper Sofa (for added accommodations)
# A Private Patio
# Cable television with DVD player
# Linens, towels included
# Dog and child friendly
# Private Walkway

To take advantage of this special summer offer, vacationers must stay in Heritage House a minimum of three nights before August 31. Taxes & cleaning fees are extra. View this adorable historic vacation rental, and get booking information.

Savannah Discount

Rose Bedroom in the Heritage House, a charming Savannah Vacation Rental

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Press Release) – Jun 03, 2010 – Want a last-minute getaway for the family, that won’t break the bank? Come to Savannah, Georgia this month and stay in one of the city’s most historic and charming vacation rentals.

Heritage House, a 2 bedroom/2.5 bath brick townhome, has a special June rate of $149/night (it ordinarily rents for $180/night). The 134-year-old home accommodates 6, and is located in the heart of the Historic District. All of Savannah’s tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping and historical monuments are within an easy – and beautiful – walk.

Heritage House features:

# Private Walkway

# High Speed Internet

# A Fully Equipped Kitchen – refrigerator w/icemaker, pots, pans, dishware, silverware, glassware, stove, coffee maker, blender, microwave and more

# 2 bedrooms upstairs with their own private full bathrooms

# 1/2 bath & sleeper sofa downstairs

# A private patio, enclosed by a walled garden

# Cable television with DVD player

# Linens, towels included

# Dog friendly (extra charges apply)

To take advantage of this special last-minute June rate, vacationers must stay a minimum of two nights before June 30.  Taxes and cleaning fee are extra. View this Historic District Vacation Rental and booking information.

Celtic Cross in Emmet Park

Tour guides pay a lot of attention to historic River Street, paved with ballast cobblestones, and now full of art galleries, restaurants and shops. But there are a lot of historical landmarks and monuments located near the street that was a major conduit for slaves, cotton and other goods.

Here is a list of some landmarks – very close to River Street – that are definitely worth seeing.

• Emmet Park is a beautiful, tree-shaded park located on the bluff next to Bay Street. It was once known as the “Strand” and later as “Irish Green” because of its proximity to the Irish residents of Savannah’s Old Fort neighborhood. This park was renamed in 1902 for the Irish patriot Robert Emmet (1778-1803) to commemorate the centennial of his death.
• Factors Walk is literally a stone’s throw from River Street. In 1817, it was the original site for the Cotton Exchange. The first two floors of Factors Walk were for the cotton coming into port. It was named this because the men who worked with the cotton exchange were called factors. They factored how much cotton was brought in to be sold. Thus, they were given this name. Factors Walk was the center for most commercial activities. A network of iron and concrete walkways connected the buildings to the bluff.
• The Liberty Monument is dedicated to the armed schooner, “Liberty” the first American Naval vessel. She sailed from the Savannah port in 1775.
• The Salzburger Monument of Reconciliation is a stone monument cut from the Austrian mountains and presented by the City of Salzburg to honor the Salzburgers who landed in Savannah in 1734.
• The Vietnam Memorial is dedicated to the men and women of Savannah and Chatham County who served in the Vietnam War.
• The Washington Guns is the famous Chatham Artillery Washington Guns which were captured at Yorktown and given to Savannah in 1791 by George Washington.
• The U.S. Custom House, completed in 1848, is the site where Georgia founder, James Oglethorpe lived for a time, and in 1736, where John Wesley preached his first sermon in Savannah.

All of these monuments are walking distance from Heritage House, a Historic District Savannah vacation rental.

Savannah Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Here are some #OMGFacts about American Revolutionary events in Savannah. They are designed for brevity, and are 140 characters or less. Feel free to tweet them, recite them to friends or use them as you please. You may also add your own 140-character facts/tweets in comments.

Pre-American Revolutionary War:

• The Liberty Boys, a group of Savannah men, met periodically at Peter Tondee’s Tavern, to promote American independence.
• George Walton, Lyman Hall & Button Gwinnett, either worked or lived in Savannah, and signed the Declaration of Independence.

American Revolutionary War

• In 1778, the British captured Savannah, fighting off the American Patriot Militia and the Continental Army.
• The Siege of Savannah or the Second Battle of Savannah was a joint Franco-American attempt to retake Savannah from the British in 1779.
• The Siege of Savannah was one of the bloodiest battles in the American Revolution. Landmark is on MLK Blvd. in Savannah.
• During the American Revolution, Polish Cmdr Casimir Pulaski saved George Washington’s life. He died in the Siege of Savannah.
• A statue of Cmdr Pulaski, the highest ranking foreign soldier to die during the American Revolution, is located in Monterey Square.

Want to learn more @OMGFacts about this beautiful city? Click on Savannah #OMGFacts, or better yet, visit Savannah, and stay in one of it’s most charming Historic District vacation rentals.

Savannah has a plethora of trolleys.  Most serve as guided tours providing insight into Savannah’s history and famous residents.  However, one trolley appears to offer a first-hand look into the past.

According to this story from WSAV,  “Mystery Letters Found Inside Trolley Car“,  some personal letter were found in a rail car in the process of restoration.

The video shows some quick footage from the RoundHouse Railrod Musuem, a great place for kids and families visiting Savannah. It also explains that the letters were postmarked in 1950, yet the trolley was phased out in the 1940s.

There’s a search underway for anyone who might be connected to the mysterious letters.

Need a place to stay while visiting Savannah, check out this 2 bedroom/2.5 townhome, or 3 bedroom/3 bath rowhouse. Both are walking distance from downtown Savannah and the RoundHouse Railroad Museum.

If  you ever want to see the breadth and depth of Savannah’s residents, go to Picnic in the Park, held in Savannah’s beautiful Forsyth Park.

This annual fall event showcases some of the most eccentric, adorable, spooky, odd and inviting picnic displays in the Southeast. But more revealing is the people behind these displays.

You’ll find folks dressed up in evening gowns, Halloween costumes, cross-dressers, and a lot more. You’ll find CEO’s, bank tellers and all ranges of employees behind  eye-catching picnic displays that took days,  if not weeks, to create.

And, you’ll see elaborate picnic spreads, including 5-course meals with caviar, fine delicacies and rare red wines.

In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find picnickers with peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches and a few chips.

This year’s event was no exception. Check out the photos in the Savannah Morning News for Picnic in the Park. And next year, head to Savannah for this very Savannah-event.

(Need a kid-friendly vacation rental while you’re there, check out Gaston Street Getaway).

Coming to Savannah, GA for July 4th weekend? Here are a few free and paid events in and around Savannah that you may want to consider:

Savannah

Fourth of July on the River
July 4
Phone: 912.234.0295
Admission: Free and open to the public
Location: Historic River Street

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on the plaza with live entertainment, ice cream eating contests and more. Bring your radios tuned into KIX 96.5 as the fabulous fireworks will be choreographed to music simulcast on KIX. Fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m.

July 4th Fireworks Cruise
July 4
8:30pm to 10:30pm
Location: 9 East River Street
Visit the website or call 912.232.6404

Savannah Swings! at the Lucas Theatre
July 4 – 4
Phone: 912.525.5050
Admission: 25 – adults, $10 – children
Location: Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn Street

The Lucas Theatre continues this great annual tradition with patriotic, swingin’ music, a New Orleans-style procession and reserved seats on River Street.

First, enjoy a big-bang concert in the air-conditioned Lucas Theatre with “Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Jazz Orchestra” with singers Clay Johnson, Adam Jones, Trae Gurley and Huxsie Scott and Special Guest Kim Polote.

Then, follow the band, New Orleans-procession style from the front of the Lucas down the Abercorn ramp down to River Street. There, you will find reserved seats for fireworks viewing right on the river.

First Saturday on the River
July 4 – 4
Phone: 912.234.0295
Admission: Free and open to the public
Location: Historic River Street

Arts and crafts, entertainment and fun for the entire family on Historic River Street.

FourthFest at Battlefield Memorial Park, the Roundhouse Railroad Museum and Savannah History Museum in downtown Savannah
10 AM-6 PM Sat. July 4

Battlefield marches, musket and cannon firing demos, archaeology games, train rides, blacksmithing demos,  children’s activities and a chance to drive a hand car.
$13 adults, $4 children 6 and younger. (this includes admission to all the museums above)
912.651.6823
Email jxamis@chsgeorgia.org

Tybee Island

Event: Fireworks at The Pier
Date: July 3rd
Location:  Tybee’s pier and pavilion
More information: http://tybeevisit.com/

Event: Celebrating America at Fort Pulaski
Date: July 4 – July 5
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location:  Fort Pulaski
More information: www.nps.gov/fopu/

Richmond Hill

Event: July 4 Celebration at Ft. McAllister
Date: July 4
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Fort McAllister Road
More information: Visit website

Statesboro

Event: Independence Day T.E.A. Party
Date: July 4
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Location: Mill Creek Elementary (Across from Mill Creek Park)
More information: www.bullochtea.com

Rincon

Event: 4th of July Parade and Festival
Date: July 4
Time: 10am to 2pm
Location: Rincon
More information: www.cityofrincon.com

Hilton Head Island

Event: 24th Annual Hilton Head Firecracker 5000
Date: July 4
Time: 8am to 9am
Location:  Mall at Shelter Cove
More information: http://www.bearfootsports.com

Event: HarbourFest 2009 July 4th Celebration
Date: July 4
Time: 6pm to 10pm
Location: Shelter Cove Harbour
More information: http://www.palmettodunes.com

Bluffton

Event: Annual 4th of July parade
Date: July 4

Beaufort

Event: Beaufort’s Tea Party
Date: July 4
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Location: Bay Street at Bladen Street, downtown Beaufort
More information: www.beaufortteaparty.webs.com

And, for a little trivia about July Fourth from FarmersAlmanac.com:

Old Glory
Did you know, that there have been 28 versions of the U.S flag to date, and that the most recent one, designed after Alaska and Hawaii joined the union, was the result of a school project

Robert Heft was 17 when he came up with the flag design in 1958. He originally got a B- on the project, but when his pattern won the national competition to become the next flag, his teacher raised his grade to an A.

Need a place to stay? Heritage House and Gaston Street Getaway offer special rates in July.

In August, 2008, we reluctantly moved to Atlanta from our lovely Gaston Street house (now known as Gaston Street Getaway).   My husband had gotten a great job in the Kennesaw area and we needed the extra income, now that we have a third child.

I was able to convince my husband to let us come back to Savannah for a vacation this month, while he toiled away in Atlanta, eating fast food and lamenting the fact that he’s a “terrible bachelor.”

So for the past two weeks, the baby, two older kids, the nanny and I have stayed at our Gaston Street vacation home,  enjoyed every minute of  downtown Savannah living. However, as a tourist, versus resident, I’m looking at things a bit differently.

For starters, I was always puzzled when I saw people traveling down the wrong way on one of Savannah’s many one-way streets. It seemed so intuitive. But now, I realize how easy it is to head in the wrong direction.

I was driving from Bay Street the other day, and I inadvertently went the wrong way down Taylor Street (which I mistakenly thought was Gordon Street). The folks on the corner laughed at me, but I was horrified. I could have caused a serious accident.

I also realized that the Kroger on Gwinnett Street is not a great place to shop late at night. While there’s security in and around the store, it’s a bit scary when it’s dark. (For some reason, I overlooked that fact when I was a resident).

On the plus side, the playground at  Matilda Beasley Park is far more cleaner than it was a year ago. No more glass, wrappers and litter dot the play area. It also seems to attract a better, family-oriented crowd (in the past, it had attracted some stragglers and seedy folks).  So, that was a very pleasant surprise, and a treat for the older kids.

Finally, I took a good look at our Gaston Street Getaway as a “temporary renter” versus resident. While it’s absolutely lovely, there were a few things that were missing. The living room television didn’t work optimally. So I replaced it.  We didn’t have a handheld dust-buster/vacuum to clean up spills, so I bought one. And, we had mistakenly locked some additional folding chairs in one of the closets. So, I pulled those out and made them accessible.

But one thing I didn’t fully appreciate: the home’s fantastic location and neighborhood. The Gaston Street Getaway is located in a truly wonderful part of the Historic District – it’s so accessible to everything and yet very quiet.  It also has some lovely neighbors, who are friendly and willing to lend a hand.  So, from both a tourist and resident’s perspective, I think it’s a wonderful place to stay.

Memorial Day 2009 in Savannah

Looking to commemorate fallen war heroes this Memorial Day? Head to Savannah’s Historic District.

The famed downtown area hosts multiple Civil and Revolutionary War landmarks that are free and open to the public.  It’s also only 20 minutes by car to Fort Pulaski, a famous marker in the Civil War.

While there are many historical landmarks, here are some of our favorites:

-  The Siege of Savannah landmark. This tribute, just off of Martin Luther King Boulevard in the Historic District, is paid to the second bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War.  The Siege occurred in 1779, when Franco-American forces attempted to retake Savannah from the British during the Revolutionary War. The siege failed, leaving Savannah in British control until 1782. The landmark  is open 24/7 with no admission fee.

Pulaski Square – This free downtown square commemorates Revolutionary War Hero Count Pulaski, who was the highest ranking foreign soldier to die during the American Revolution.  The square is located on Barnard Street between Harris and Charlton Streets, and was laid out in 1837.  One of the houses on the square used to belong to Francis Bartow, a Confederate hero.

Warren Square – This is another free downtown square. It’s named after General Joseph Warren, a Revolutionary War hero who died in the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. It is located at the corner of St. Julian and Habersham Streets.

Fort Pulaski – This fort, named after the war hero,  is about 15 minutes away by car from the Historic District. It became famous in the Civil War, when Union soldiers penetrated the fort with a rifled canon and mortar. The fort holds Memorial Day events on May 23 and May 24th, including Civil War cannon firings and soldier demonstrations. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 15 and under.

Need a place to stay this Memorial Day?  The Heritage House and Gaston Street Getaways have discounted pricing.