Past
Girl Scouts of the USA purchased the Gordon home, also known as the Wayne-Gordon House, in 1953 from Mrs. George Arthur Gordon. By this time, the 130- year-old house was in need of restoration and the large house was too much for Mrs. Gordon to maintain. The house was converted into four apartments during World War II, altering the original floor plan. Homeowners in Savannah were required to provide a certain amount of living space for war workers. Mrs. Gordon lived in one of the four apartments. After the war, Mrs. Gordon decided to sell the house. Interested buyers proposed using the property as a drug store or a parking lot. Girl Scouts and Gordon family members persuaded the Girl Scout National Board
restoration converted the parlor and bedroom floors back to the 1886 configuration. The garden floor, top floor and to save the house from demolition and to consider acquiring it as a memorial to the founder. From 1953 -1956, the outbuildings were developed into spaces that could be used for Girl Scout programs and visitor services.
Stephen Bond, the restoration architect, and his brother Will Bond conducted extensive historical research on the building and documented existing conditions as well as the 1953 - 1956 restoration work. Their efforts created the basis for the historic documentary and photographic archive that exists today.
Girl Scouts of the USA has been a responsible and thoughtful steward of the property. There have been several cycles of intensive restoration in the years the organization has owned and operated the house. As preservation has evolved with new technology and methodology, Girl Scouts has employed expert consultants to guide staff in sensitive and non-invasive restoration of the Wayne-Gordon House.
In 1982 Birthplace staff initiated the process of “restoring the restoration.” Research began with the scientific color analysis of all interior historic rooms and exterior surfaces; upholstery and drapery fabrics were slowly replaced with documentary fabrics and rooms were rearranged to reflect Gordon family taste, inventories and period room arrangements. Wallpaper was replaced with the documented historic paint colors.
In 1991 the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) was engaged to conduct an historic structures report. As a result of the findings, the 106-year-old tin roof was replaced with a standing seam, terne-coated stainless steel roof. Mr. Gordon had a 25-year guarantee on his 1886 roof so we think he got his money’s worth! Other projects included restoration of the 49 windows, repairs to stucco and wood trim, repainting the exterior of the building and replacement of the protective storm shutters.
As a part of the national “Campaign to Restore the Birthplace” which was launched in September 2001, 12 critical preservation projects were identified. Ten of the projects have been successfully completed, including the restoration of the historic circular staircase and the addition of an elevator making the house accessible to all visitors.
