Andrew Low - A Savannah Story | GPB documentaries

A GPB Emmy award-winning documentary.
Andrew Low was a plucky 16 year-old Scotsman who came to Savannah seeking his fortune in the late 1820s. He became involved in one of the key import/export businesses of the day - that of buying and sellingc. By 1847 he was a rich man with a beautiful wife, two daughters and a young son. Low commissioned the renowned architect John Norris to design a stylish mansion for his young family, but before they could move in, Low’s wife and son died suddenly. Low moved into the house in 1849 as a devastated single parent with his two daughters. He married again five years later and produced more children including a son and heir, William Mackey Low. The house was filled with children, dogs and many distinguished guests who were friends of Andrew Low, including Gen. Robert E. Lee and the British author William Makepeace Thackeray.
Were it not for the great old Savannah house bearing his name, Andrew Low would largely be forgotten today, more than 120 years after his death. But Andrew Low and the people connected to him were key players in our nation’s history. Prominent among them was his daughter-in-law Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts of the USA in the parlor of the stately home. She died there in 1927 and the house was purchased by the National Society for the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia. The home was lovingly restored to its former grandeur and has been open to the public since 1952.
The Andrew Low house is said to be haunted by ghosts. Its long-time housekeeper often smelled a "strange, sweet perfume" on the grand staircase. There have been sightings of men dressed in old-fashioned clothes, of a rocking chair moving with no one in it, of an old woman lying on her deathbed. Andrew Low: A Savannah Story takes us back to another time, where we meet the fascinating people who inhabited the fabled house on Savannah’s picturesque Lafayette Square. And their ghosts are still with us today.
Original Air Date: 1998. For more Georgia documentaries, check out www.gpb.org/television

[@mgb5170]

I visited Savannah once by myself (I'm a northern girl) and loved it. I felt history all around me, food everywhere was excellent, people so friendly. It had been a highlight of my independent journeys.

[@lisalemberis5195]

I have toured this home & thoroughly enjoyed it ! I had been introduced to the Robert & Eliza Mackay family on through Mary through the books of Eugenia Price. It was nice to see the dining room furniture & learn that it was Eliza's passed on to her granddaughter Mary. Beautiful home, but yes a lot of sadness along with some happiness!

[@billycampbell854]

It was nice to watch, as a native East Tennesseen would say, how " the quality" people lived.

[@bestlifeever4548]

Ive been here and took my children. We have been here in GA and NC since before it was state. Absolutely love our history heritage and culture. Growing up with grandparents and great grandparents and learning so much and growing up in our old southern homes and visited many other historic homes was like living in history. We still attended catillion when I was young and miss visiting and luncheons and socializing like we used to do. My husband's family is also from GA since beginning and we have a home and farm here now as well as other places. All my sons have been born and raised here and appreciate its history . Love these kind of videos.

[@pamelaevans6485]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Well done and so very interesting.

[@lindadamisi9302]

Awesome

[@lindseylaird4218]

I enjoy everything historical

[@edfox1334]

I lived in Savannah around 1968-70. Enjoyed the history. But many things have changed. Segregation was in full bloom. I remember one business was known as Uncle Sammies boys. I’ve always been a history buff and took full advantage of visiting historical sites. River front with torch lights was. With night clubs and bars was addicting. The food in restaurants was awesome 5stars.. I have since returned but not the same. Best seafood and BBQ was the best I’ve ever had

[@adrienneberger3642]

Wonderful experience

[@wsdhome]

Impressive verbal machinations designed to avoid self-incrimination and self-awareness around the topic of human thralldom.

[@oliviawillis9263]

❤

[@Blazed_Operator]

Cool house but scared the shit out of me. my aunt caught a ghost of a kid upstairs In the kids room

[@barrett7893]

That’s sad that at her wedding she lost her hearing because of rice in her ear. 😢 😞 😢 Because of an infection..

[@barrett7893]

That’s sad Andrew has so many deaths in his life. Two wives and Several children.. 😢 😔 😢 heartbreaking 💔

[@beerodsmith703]

Yea I slave owner

[@missmarage1]

They weren't built by him they were built by slaves.

[@breezeyparker]

The best style of life??? I’m sure my ancestors would disagree.

[@marybethmueller7184]

Shocking by the omission of the fact that this "lifestyle" and the Low's wealth are owed to the humans they enslaved

[@nadinesunderland8690]

There was no mention of the people/slaves whose blood and sweat their fancy house was built on. I would prefer to stand in the slave quarters and think about their lives