Pirates' House
Encyclopedia
The Pirates' House is a historic restaurant and tavern
established in 1753 located in downtown Savannah, Georgia
in the Southern United States
. It is thought to be the oldest standing building in the state of Georgia. The restaurant is one of Savannah Georgia's largest tourist attractions.
's original plan of the city of Savannah. The plot of land was assigned to become a botanical garden that modeled the Chelsea Botanical Garden in London, England. The garden was dedicated to Oglethorpe's Trustees. Oglethorpe recruited botanist from around the world to acquire plants for the project such as cotton
, spices, indigo
, and medicinal herbs. The garden was hoped to bring success in the wine industry and silk industries, and was centered around growing mulberry trees. The soil and weather conditions of Georgia was not compatible with the mulberry trees and it was not successful with wine or silk. However, it did distribute peach
trees which Georgia is currently renowned for. The garden was also highly successful in growing cotton which later became a staple of Georgia's economy.
A small building which later became the starting structure of the Pirates' House was built on the plot of land in 1734 to house the gardener who worked there. This building was deemed the Herb House and is said to be the oldest building in the state of Georgia.
In 1754 the people of Savannah decided the need for the botanical garden was no longer relevant. Savannah was quickly becoming a port town and The Herb House was transformed into an Inn and tavern for seaman
visiting from abroad. The Pirate's House Inn constantly hosted seaman, pirates and the underbelly of the society; in time, it earned a reputation of being a place the general public avoided.
It did not earn this reputation by rumor. Many drunken sailors have gone missing from the Pirates' House. Captains that were in need of men often came to the Pirates' House to find drunken, vulnerable sailors. Many of these sailors traveled here from distant lands on merchant ships. If they went missing in Savannah it would be difficult to find what happened to them. Savannah is home to many underground tunnels and the Pirate's House is the entrance to one of them.
These tunnels are thought to have been built for different times for different purposes. A portion of the tunnels are said to have been built during the yellow fever epidemic that took place in Savannah during the 1800's to hide the bodies of the dead from the general public. The other tunnels were possibly used as hideouts in the underground railroad system. Another section of tunnels found under a hospital in Savannah is thought to have been used as a morgue.In the cellar of the Pirates' House there is a tunnel that leads to the Savannah River
. The captains would wait until an unsuspecting sailor was drunk and flog them over the head. The unconscious sailors would be taken through the tunnel by crew members led by the captain. The sailors would then awake to a life of bondage
on pirate's ship. The people of Savannah soon coined the term shanghai
ed because the sailors were thought to have been taken off to China, never to be seen or heard from again.
The Pirates' House is home to some rare early edition pages of Treasure Island
, by Robert Louis Stevenson
. The pages can be seen hanging on the walls of the Captain's room and the Treasure room in the Pirates' House.
The current owners of The Pirates' House claim that Captain Flint
, a pirate mentioned in the book Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson
died in the upstairs bedroom at the Pirate's House.As Flint is a completely fictional character, this story obviously cannot be historically true; the addition that Flint haunts the place as a ghost suggests that it is not intended to be taken seriously. Moreover, although the novel states that Flint died in Savannah, nothing in it states or suggests that The Pirates' House is the location of his deathbed.
and Savannah episode, hosted by Samantha Brown
on the Travel Channel
. The show features the Murder Mystery skit, which Samantha Brown participates in.
Tavern
A tavern is a place of business where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages and be served food, and in some cases, where travelers receive lodging....
established in 1753 located in downtown Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
in the Southern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is thought to be the oldest standing building in the state of Georgia. The restaurant is one of Savannah Georgia's largest tourist attractions.
History
The Pirates' House was built on a plot of land located on the east side of James OglethorpeJames Oglethorpe
James Edward Oglethorpe was a British general, member of Parliament, philanthropist, and founder of the colony of Georgia...
's original plan of the city of Savannah. The plot of land was assigned to become a botanical garden that modeled the Chelsea Botanical Garden in London, England. The garden was dedicated to Oglethorpe's Trustees. Oglethorpe recruited botanist from around the world to acquire plants for the project such as cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
, spices, indigo
Indigo
Indigo is a color named after the purple dye derived from the plant Indigofera tinctoria and related species. The color is placed on the electromagnetic spectrum between about 420 and 450 nm in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet...
, and medicinal herbs. The garden was hoped to bring success in the wine industry and silk industries, and was centered around growing mulberry trees. The soil and weather conditions of Georgia was not compatible with the mulberry trees and it was not successful with wine or silk. However, it did distribute peach
Peach
The peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
trees which Georgia is currently renowned for. The garden was also highly successful in growing cotton which later became a staple of Georgia's economy.
A small building which later became the starting structure of the Pirates' House was built on the plot of land in 1734 to house the gardener who worked there. This building was deemed the Herb House and is said to be the oldest building in the state of Georgia.
In 1754 the people of Savannah decided the need for the botanical garden was no longer relevant. Savannah was quickly becoming a port town and The Herb House was transformed into an Inn and tavern for seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
visiting from abroad. The Pirate's House Inn constantly hosted seaman, pirates and the underbelly of the society; in time, it earned a reputation of being a place the general public avoided.
It did not earn this reputation by rumor. Many drunken sailors have gone missing from the Pirates' House. Captains that were in need of men often came to the Pirates' House to find drunken, vulnerable sailors. Many of these sailors traveled here from distant lands on merchant ships. If they went missing in Savannah it would be difficult to find what happened to them. Savannah is home to many underground tunnels and the Pirate's House is the entrance to one of them.
These tunnels are thought to have been built for different times for different purposes. A portion of the tunnels are said to have been built during the yellow fever epidemic that took place in Savannah during the 1800's to hide the bodies of the dead from the general public. The other tunnels were possibly used as hideouts in the underground railroad system. Another section of tunnels found under a hospital in Savannah is thought to have been used as a morgue.In the cellar of the Pirates' House there is a tunnel that leads to the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
. The captains would wait until an unsuspecting sailor was drunk and flog them over the head. The unconscious sailors would be taken through the tunnel by crew members led by the captain. The sailors would then awake to a life of bondage
Bondage
Bondage may refer to:*Debt bondage, a modern form of slavery in which people are bound by debt, rather than legal ownership*Bondage , the practice of tying people up for pleasure*Self-bondage, the practice of tying oneself up for pleasure...
on pirate's ship. The people of Savannah soon coined the term shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
ed because the sailors were thought to have been taken off to China, never to be seen or heard from again.
The Pirates' House is home to some rare early edition pages of Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
, by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
. The pages can be seen hanging on the walls of the Captain's room and the Treasure room in the Pirates' House.
The current owners of The Pirates' House claim that Captain Flint
Captain Flint
Captain J. Flint was the fictional captain of a pirate ship, the Walrus, in the novel Treasure Island of the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson...
, a pirate mentioned in the book Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
died in the upstairs bedroom at the Pirate's House.As Flint is a completely fictional character, this story obviously cannot be historically true; the addition that Flint haunts the place as a ghost suggests that it is not intended to be taken seriously. Moreover, although the novel states that Flint died in Savannah, nothing in it states or suggests that The Pirates' House is the location of his deathbed.
Renovation and ownership
In 1948 the Pirates' House and the surrounding land was acquired by The Savannah Gas Company. The building soon caught the interest of Mrs. Hansell Hilyer, wife of the president of The Savannah Gas Company. She renewed the house museum into the restaurant of present day. The Pirates' House has 15 dining rooms and serves a variety of southern dishes. The restaurant has fifteen dining rooms and can hold up to 120 guest. Many of its recipes can be found in "The Pirate's House Cook Book" by Frances McGrath.Murder mystery dinner theatre
The Pirates' House plays host to the Savannah Community Theatre on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at 7:30. The Savannah Community Theatre was founded by Tom Coleman III. The Theatre performs several shows throughout the year, including "Marriage Can be Murder", "Deathtrap", "Hands of the Spirit", and "Savannah's Got Talent II". The Murder Mystery Show is performed at the Pirates' House. The show includes a three course dinner and the comedy skit "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". The Hostess of the night plays an uptown, social butterfly, and repetitive widow. Her husbands all die under mysterious circumstances. The actors also double as the wait staff. In time, a few of the actors who play the contestants, end up dead. The participants are then needed to solve the murder mystery to win a prize. The shows format was written by Lee H. Adams. Lee H. Adams is the founder of The Mystery Café located in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis. The Pirates' House was recently featured on "Weekends with Samantha Brown", the CharlestonCharleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
and Savannah episode, hosted by Samantha Brown
Samantha Brown
Samantha Elizabeth Brown is an American television host, notable for her work as the host of several Travel Channel shows including Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Vacation Homes, Great Hotels, Passport to Europe, Passport to Latin America, Great Weekends, Passport to China, and Samantha Brown's Asia. Ms...
on the Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
. The show features the Murder Mystery skit, which Samantha Brown participates in.