But it was the home of Mother Matilda Beasley, Georgia’s first black nun and founder of the St. Francis Home for Colored Orphans.

Near the end of her life, she sewed everything she could and gave the proceeds from her work to poor blacks.

Chatham county (where Savannah is located) is now restoring the home to its 20th century condition and using it as an education center, per the Savannah Morning News.

It will also relocate the home to the East Broad Street dog park that bears Beasley’s name.  (The park is a block away from the Gaston Street Getaway, a 3-bedroom, 3 bath vacation rental).

While it’s not clear whether the home will be a tourist attraction, hopefully it will create greater awareness for the contributions of this fine woman. Restoration is scheduled for completion in November, 2009.

Many of the vacation rentals in the Historic District, including the Heritage House and Gaston Street Getaway, will accept dogs (up to 20 pounds). Some hotels and B&Bs will also allow Spot to spend the night.

There are quite a few dog parks, too.  One of our favorites – which is located downtown – is the Matilda Beasley Dog Park. This park was created in 2008, and is behind the East Broad Street Elementary School.

Heading South from the Historic District is the Savannah Dog Park, located on 41st and Drayton streets in Savannah’s Starland Community. This park has a shaded, fenced-in area where Fido and Spot can play off the leash.

You can also bring your dog to some downtown restaurants, like Vinnie Van Go-Go’s, provided they sit outside.

Or course, you can bring your dog to Forsyth Park and the city’s wonderful squares. But please keep him/her on a leash.

For more Savannah dog-friendly resources, visit  Savannah Dog Park.