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The house is currently owned by Dorothy Kingery, Williams' sister, and is open to the public for tours. Construction of the French Gothic-style Cathedral of St. John the Baptist began in 1873. The oldest Catholic church in Georgia, it was designed by Baldwin and Price. The building features bronze-colored iron columns, double-barrel vault arches and stained glass windows imported from Tyrol, Austria. The main façade, facing east onto Monterey Square, has five French windows (two on the first floor, three on the second). Except for the window above the double front doors, each French window on the three open sides of the house has a balcony surrounded by an iron railing.
The Mercer Williams House in the 20th Century
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And, while they don't realize it at the time, they leave with way more than they ever could have bargained for. It's been alleged that Williams became so distraught by Hansford's lurking spirits, that he reached out to a voodoo practitioner to rid Hansford soul from the house. According to some, they do not believe the voodoo practitioner's cleansing of the house worked, as in their minds, it was the ghost of Danny Hansford who killed Jim Williams. Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond. Clary’s Cafe, established in 1903, has everything that’s important when fueling up at a classic diner—local clientele, good signage, and breakfast menu staples served all day.
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
This privacy wall was raised after the 1994 publication of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Both the northern and southern (long) sides have a French window in the middle of both the first and second floors, flanked by two single windows on each side. Some even claim to see the women in their best societal gowns, and the men dressed to the nines as they enter the house, showing up to the festivities fashionably late. Another ghostly tale that is told about the Mercer-Williams House is that the spirit of the young boy, Tommy Downs, who fell to his death, continues to roam the property's grounds to this very day. Like many of the historic houses in Savannah, there have been reports of paranormal activity at the Mercer-Williams. These reports usually include commonalities like apparitions, disembodied voices, phantom footsteps and that unnerving feeling that someone is watching you.
First floor
In 1913, a previous owner fell over a banister on the second floor suffering a broken hip and a concussion. Also, a young boy fell from the roof while following pigeons in 1969. Draped in Spanish moss, studded with quaint cobblestone roads, and illuminated by old-world street lamps, every street in Savannah, Georgia, feels like a time capsule buzzing with romance and history. Much like the well-maintained streets and squares, the homes throughout the city's historic district are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Their endurance is thanks to preservation efforts in the city, which gained a lot of traction in the 1960s—when famed restorationist and antique collector Jim Williams came to town.
The Jim Williams Era
After a century of prominent residents, the house was purchased by famed Savannah preservationist Jim Williams. Williams spent two years restoring the Mercer House and today guests can take tours to experience its sophisticated charm. Furniture and art from William’s private collection are on display including 18th and 19th century portraits, drawings and a collection of Chinese porcelain. The Mercer House was designed by New York architect John S. Norris for General Hugh W. Mercer, great grandfather of Johnny Mercer. Construction of the house began in 1860, was interrupted by the Civil War and was later completed, circa 1868, by the new owner, John Wilder. The house was the scene of the shooting death of Jim Williams' assistant, Danny Hansford, a story that is retold in the 1994 John Berendt novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
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The residence became world famous as the scene of the murder described in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The home is currently owned by Williams’ sister and is open for public tours. Tastefully decorated with ornate 18th- and 19th-century antique furnishings, the museum collection also includes Chinese porcelain as well as English and American paintings dating from the 1700s. For those who enjoy history and exquisite architecture, the Mercer-Williams House is a must see.
Williams was charged with Danny's murder and tried four times for the crime. By the time they got to the third trial, it had ended in a hung jury. SAH Archipedia tells the story of the United States through its buildings, landscapes, and cities.
Books and Movies About The Mercer House
In his book, Berendt describes Clary’s as “a clearinghouse of information, a bourse of gossip,” and several scenes in the movie were shot on location. Divert your attention from Luther Driggers and his flies to catch James Gandolfini, who makes a pre-Sopranos uncredited blink-and-you-miss-it appearance as the cafe’s cook. John Berendt’s 1994 non-fiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and its film adaptation 3 years later, is credited with nearly doubling the tourism industry in Savannah, Georgia. Though the book took a few liberties with timeline and characters, it made the Mercer Williams House and Savannah, a new destination for tourists.
He left his sister, Dorothy, $10.00 and the rights to a game he invented called “Psycho Dice.” But when their mother died, she willed Jim’s house to Dorothy and Dorothy has graciously opened it up for tours that are offered daily. On the first floor, you will find a George I 18th-century cabinet holding a collection of 19th century glazed porcelain. Six months later, after years of investigations, court dates, and finally, a not guilty verdict, Jim Williams died in his palatial home of heart failure.
Each window on the first and second levels of these three open sides is crowned with a sculptural hood mold of cast iron.[2] A classical portico,[23] with two columns at each of the front corners, covers the front doors. Both sets of columns are adjoined at their bases (the base on the left is adorned with a plaque denoting the year construction on the house was begun; the right, the home's number). By this point you clearly must be itching to visit this unquestionably haunted house. Although the scenes of voodoo practitioner Minerva working her magic before (and after) midnight weren’t technically in Bonaventure Cemetery proper, Bonaventure is by far the best place to convene with the spirits within the city limits.
Perhaps the museum manager is simply playing the organ to keep busy during a night shift. Mid-century modern jumps forward half a century with contemporary cabinets, lighting, windows, doors, and finishes. This Mercer Island home from the 60’s has also been expanded slightly to allow for a more spacious kitchen, dining, and family room. The fireplace has been completely redone with custom cabinetry, highlighting art and concealing audio-video components. Outside, the new entry walk has been lightened by raising the roofline of the garage, a new terrace added in the back yard, and new landscaping throughout. After his acquittal in 1989, Williams threw his last lavish Christmas party before his death (less than a month later on January 14, 1990).
Our 35 minute guided tours are first come, first serve only and run approximately every minutes. Museum tickets and entry are located behind the main house at 430 Whitaker Street. Another notable feature of the home's exterior are the support brackets all around the soffit in the eaves of the roof. The windows of the basement level mirror the size of the window immediately above.
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