Sorrel-Weed House, Savannah

Approaching Madison Square along Bull Street, stop near the monument at its center. Turn toward the northwestern corner of the square, across West Harris Street. The large salmon-orange mansion behind a dark green iron fence, at 6 West Harris Street, is the Sorrel–Weed House. You'll recognize it by the green shutters, broad raised entrance, and unusually warm exterior color. Across the square, the Gothic Revival Green–Meldrim House provides a useful architectural contrast, with pointed arches and a more castle-like appearance.

Irish-born architect Charles B. Cluskey designed this mansion for merchant Francis Sorrel. Completed around 1840, its balanced proportions and strong horizontal lines are characteristic of Greek Revival architecture, while the flatter roof, ironwork, and Mediterranean-villa influence add a Regency character. Look first at the paired stairways, which rise toward the elevated central portico. Above them, the entrance is framed by tall Doric columns. Then look along the upper windows for their narrow iron balconies and raise your eyes to the roofline, where an arched opening breaks through the otherwise solid parapet.

Do not confuse the formal front steps with the present tour meeting point. Continue around the corner to the Bull Street side, where visitors assemble at the courtyard entrance. Depending on the tour, you may be shown the principal rooms, basement areas, and the separate carriage house behind the mansion. Among the most interesting interior details is the oval library, distinguished by its curved walls and matching curved wooden doors.

Finally, take another look at the exterior. Although it is sometimes described as pink, the historic finish is closer to a rich salmon or orange. Paint analysis confirmed that this bold color belonged to the house’s historic appearance. A frequently repeated restoration story says that more than twenty later layers of paint were removed before the original shade could be demonstrated and approved. The result makes the mansion stand out among the majority of Savannah’s antebellum houses.

Today, daytime visits concentrate on the property's architecture and social history, while evening tours explore the legends that have given it a somewhat eerie reputation.