The Davenport House Museum, an award-winning property owned and operated by Historic Savannah Foundation, is pleased to announce special Moonlight Mourning tours on Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. These immersive evening tours will invite Davenport House Museum guests to step into the shadows of the past and learn about the fascinating rituals surrounding death and dying in the 19th century.
Departing every 15 minutes from the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy at 323 East Broughton Street, visitors will be guided through the dimly lit rooms of the 204-year-old Federal-style home, meticulously adorned as they would have been for mourning in early 19th-century Savannah.
The tour provides a unique glimpse into the rituals, practices and traditions that shaped how 19th-century Savannahians — including members of the Gullah Geechee community — coped with loss and honored their departed loved ones. The experience brings to life the customs of an earlier era, offering insight into the deep cultural and historical roots of the city's past.
“At the Davenport House Museum, we’re dedicated to keeping Savannah’s treasured history alive by sharing stories, customs and rituals from the past,” said Danielle Hodes, Executive Director of the Davenport House Museum. “We strive to offer a complete understanding of what life was like in Savannah more than 200 years ago. These special Moonlight Mourning tours will give guests the unique opportunity to learn about the grieving process that defined 19th-century Savannah.”
Moonlight Mourning tickets are $22 per person and are available for purchase online at davenporthousemuseum.org.
