Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Campaign
In 1953, Girl Scouts of the USA saved a national treasure from demolition by purchasing the Wayne-Gordon House in Savannah, Georgia, the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouting in the United States. Now designated as a National Historic Landmark, the Birthplace is the most visited house museum in the state of Georgia, and functions as a museum and educational center for all Girl Scouts and the public.
To fund several critical restoration projects, GSUSA launched a fundraising initiative, the Campaign to Restore the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, to guarantee the maintenance of this irreplaceable element of Savannah, Georgia, and Girl Scout history. Funding from the Birthplace Campaign allowed renovation work to be done on the staircase, elevator, and other areas.
Girl Scouts of the USA sincerely thanks those partners who gave their support through generous donations securing the future of this national treasure. The history and heritage of the Girl Scout Movement starts in Savannah at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, where the past is now preserved to inspire today's children and adults. See below for a tour of the renovation.
Birthplace Tour
Gallery Opening
The Family Parlor, as viewed from the Formal Parlor. The children used the pocket doors between the parlors as a curtain for dramatic entertainment.
Birthplace Tour
Parlor
The Formal Parlor where the Gordon family entertained guests.
Birthplace Tour
Dining Room
The Gordon family was known for lively conversations at mealtime.
Birthplace Tour
Dining Room Detail
Plate painted by Juliette Gordon Low.
Birthplace Tour
Sewing Room
Although Juliette "Daisy" Gordon was not a good seamstress, she loved to design clothing.
Birthplace Tour
Library Detail
This table with books is in the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace library, which was used as an office and family-gathering room.
Birthplace Tour
Northeast Bedroom
Shows the design of a stylish 19th-century bedroom. The bed belonged to Juliette Low's grandmother.
Birthplace Tour
Northeast Bedroom
Alice Parker Hoyt Shurtleff, Juliette's niece, created this painting of the Girl Scout founder sculpting.
Birthplace Tour
Sculpture by Juliette Low
Two Girl Scouts Hiking, sculpted by Juliette Gordon Low.
Birthplace Tour
Toys
Playthings from the Birthplace collection
Birthplace Tour
Wayne-Gordon House prior to 1886
Showing the house before the additions of the top floor and piazza.
Birthplace Tour
The Birthplace Today
Additional top floor and piazza.
Restoration Work
November 19, 2001
Photo of view underneath staircase in the main hall.
Restoration Work
November 20, 2001
Photo of close-up view underneath staircase underside in the main hall.
Restoration Work
November 28, 2001
Photo of restoration work under the piazza in the garden.
Restoration Work
December 3, 2001
Photo of bedroom floor, with floorboards removed.
Restoration Work
December 4, 2001
Photo of staircase from first floor looking up.
Restoration Work
December 5, 2001
Photo of floor at top of staircase, with floorboards removed.
Restoration Work
December 6, 2001
Photo of floor with flooring removed.
Restoration Work
December 10, 2001
Photo showing scaffolding along the stairwell from the third floor looking down.
Restoration Work
December 10, 2001
Photo of stairwell with scaffolding.
Restoration Work
December 11, 2001
Photo of scaffolding going up the stairwell.
Restoration Work
December 19, 2001
Photo of basement with wood frame.
Restoration Work
January 4, 2002
Photo of the interior contraction of the house.
Restoration Work
January 9, 2002
Photo of shards found in the archeological review done during the work in the area under the piazza in the garden.
Restoration Work
November 2003
Photo of elevator restoration work.
Restoration Work
November 2003
Photo of elevator restoration work.
Restoration Work
November 2003
Photo of elevator restoration work.
Restoration Work
November 2003
Photo of elevator restoration work.
Restoration Work
November 2003
Photo of elevator restoration work.
