Stop in for a tour at the glamorous Mercer-Williams House and you might be surprised if it feels like home.
The construction on the stately brick mansion was commissioned in 1860 by General Hugh Mercer, great-grandfather of songwriter Johnny Mercer. In the mid-1950s it fell to ruin until 1969 when Savannah restorationist Jim Williams bought it and brought it back to its grandeur.
“I love this house,” says owner Susan Kingery. “I’ve grown up with the house. I couldn’t wait to go in the antique shop and have Uncle Jimmy show me around.”
Her Uncle Jimmy and the house played major roles in John Berendt’s 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. But that’s just part of the story.
“It certainly has brought people to this beautiful city and (especially in the ‘90s) brought a ton of national attention,” says Kingery of “The Book” as it’s still known to many around Savannah.
“The Book” is not off limits on Mercer-Williams House Museum or at the Tours, but Kingery says it’s just a blip.
Jim Williams loved art, antiques and restoring furniture. He spent decades collecting beautiful items from Europe, New York and around the U.S. The home is filled with his collection.
“He had an amazing eye and made the house so comfortable. The collection is eclectic, a lot of portraiture. He used to say, ‘I like people in my paintings,’” says Kingery. “And there are just beautiful antiques and furniture that he made. Even chandeliers from the old DeSoto Hotel. So it’s a lot of Savannah too.”
When you buy a ticket for the Museum and Tour, a docent will tell you all about those beautiful antiques on the main floor of the home, about the house and its designer and take you through the garden, as well. But one of the things that sets the Mercer-Williams House apart, is it’s still a working home.
“It’s a great comfortable house that we still use,” says Kingery. “We still have family over for Thanksgiving Dinner.”
In fact, Kingery’s mother lived in the residence’s private second floor until earlier this year. Kingery now calls it home and she welcomes you to visit.
By Reneé LaSalle
The Mercer-Williams House
429 Bull St.
(912) 238-0208
www.MercerHouse.com