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Mission Statement
Telfair Museums offers compelling expressions of visual culture – embracing three unique buildings and three distinct collections that bridge three centuries of art and architecture. The museum develops awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the arts and serves as a dynamic cultural center connecting people of all ages and backgrounds.History of Telfair Museums
Telfair Museums is the oldest public art museum in the South. The legacy of one visionary Savannahian, it was founded in 1883 through the bequest of prominent local philanthropist Mary Telfair, who left her home and its furnishings to the Georgia Historical Society to be opened as a museum.Today, Telfair Museums consists of three unique buildings: the Telfair Academy and the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, two National Historic Landmark sites built in the early 19th century, and the contemporary Jepson Center for the Arts. Each of the museum’s three buildings represents an innovative expression of its time and houses a collection corresponding to the era in which it was built. Together, these three unique buildings and three distinct collections bridge centuries of art and architecture, illustrating the continuum of art and history in Savannah. For more information, please visit our about page.
Donating Art to Telfair
Telfair Museums accepts original works of art that fit within the parameters of our mission and collections. Please consult https://www.telfair.org/about-the-collection/ to learn more about the scope of the collection.All potential gifts must be studied, reviewed, and approved by the Curatorial staff, the Director, the Board of Trustees, and the Collections Committee. This process can take several months or more, depending on the level of research needed. To initiate this process, please contact Anne-Solène Bayan, Assistant Curator, at bayana@telfair.org.
Researching Your Art
Telfair Museums cannot legally evaluate or appraise works of art. However, there are many great resources for researching on your own or for seeking an official appraisal.Getting started:
The Smithsonian American Art Museum website has brought together many useful tips and resources on topics like finding the value of your art, discovering its history, and how to care for it: http://americanart.si.edu/research/tools/art/.Researching locally:
Beyond utilizing the resources of our local public library, the Georgia Historical Society has many accessible resources online. You may search the digital archive here: https://georgiahistory.com/research-the-collection/search-our-collection.For more information about on-site research services, click here to read more: https://georgiahistory.com/research-the-collection/researching-at-the-georgia-historical-society/.
Appraisals:
The International Revenue Service prohibits the Museum from providing monetary valuations or appraisals. Telfair cannot recommend specific appraisers, but you may consult https://www.appraisers.org/ for listings of certified appraisers in your area, with a database searchable by location and area of expertise. Other resources include: https://www.appraisersassociation.org/, https://artdealers.org/, and https://www.isa-appraisers.org/.Caring for Art:
From furniture to paintings, there are many qualified conservators in the Southeast who can clean, repair, and frame your artwork. The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute provides tips for the proper care, handling, and conservation of works of art: https://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/index.html.The following resource may be helpful if you would like to contact a professional to assist you with caring or treating your work: https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-conservation/find-a-conservator.