Discover the Flannery O'Connor Home in Savannah Georgia - The two main floors of the home have been closely restored to the time that the O'Connor family lived here, from 1925-1938. Stay and Play in GA!
The Home houses the Bruckheimer Library, a collection of books that were or might have been owned by the O'Connor family, plus other books that have special relevance. The library, as well as much of the renovation work, was made possible because of the generosity of Linda Bruckheimer. We also owe special thanks to our neighbors Dale and Lila Critz, as well as to dozens of others who have supported us in this process.
The Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home would not even be possible if not for the vision of a handful of academics, including current board member Bob Strozier and the late Hugh Brown and Robert Burnett, who purchased the house in 1989 and had the foresight to form the foundation as a 501 3(C) nonprofit organization.
Since that time, staffed and operated wholly by volunteers, the Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home has hosted a free series of readings and lectures each spring and fall.
When the O'Connors lived here, the building was a single-family house. The parlor level consisted of the current large living room, a dining room, a kitchen and a sun room.
The walled garden in the rear of the house was added in 1993. The back yard was where 5-year-old Mary Flannery O'Connor taught a chicken to walk backwards. The family had bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor. The top floor, mostly unused, also had bedrooms and a bathroom. The basement was used for storage.
Today. the top floor and the basement are apartments. Income from rental helps the Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home Foundation sustain its programs..
In addition to renovation and restoration of the home, the foundation has been accumulating furniture and other items that were in the house when O'Connor lived here or are in the style of the period.
Flannery O'Connor was born in Savannah, Georgia, on March 25, 1925, and died of lupus in Milledgeville, Georgia, on August 3, 1964.
Although O'Connor moved out of Savannah in 1938, her experiences here undoubtedly had a lasting impression. Her childhood home is on the south end of Lafayette Square, just steps away from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
In O'Connor's time, Savannah was a true melting pot. Irish Catholics crowded into a city populated by a heady mix -- Greek Orthodox immigrants, soldiers stationed nearby, a strong black community, Savannah's traditionally aristocratic class, and other distinct groups.
Hours & Fees
Open from 1-4 p.m. every day except Thursday. (Closed major holidays and the first 2 weeks of Sept. and Jan.) Fees: $5 for adults, free for kids.