|
|
|
 About your guide
 Hello, my name is Dirk Hardison and I would like to be your guide for Savannah's most enjoyable and informative walking tour. I have been immersed in the preservation of Savannah's historic architecture since 1992 when I worked on the rehabilitation of the First Bryan Baptist Church. I was also privileged to be part of the restoration of the 1921 Lucas Theatre for the Arts, a grand atmospheric building, as well as the Kress building and others.
From 1998 to 2006 I worked as the Architectural Design Consultant for Historic Savannah Foundation, Savannah's private non-profit preservation advocacy organization that champions the rehabilitation of structures in all nine of the city's historic districts. Here I began communicating the architectural history of Savannah through lectures and tours. Since 2003 I have been giving my Preservation-In-Progress walking tour as part of the annual Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens.
 I am now a licensed tour guide anxious to share my passion for Savannah through one of my Rambles. The Savannah National Historic Landmark District is my neighborhood. It boasts 2.2 square miles of historic architecture, an innovative city plan of 24 landscaped public squares, all shaded by huge gnarled Oaks dripping with Spanish Moss. The city's remote location and unique history have combined to create a culture more engaging than any theme park could ever imagine.
And don't forget your camera! Savannah is not a museum, but a living community with an unusually strong preservation ethic. These buildings, monuments, and squares are a part of our lives. Therefore, you should expect a visual surprise around every corner whether it be the architecture or the colorful folks who call Savannah home.
 Allow some time in your travel schedule to experience our city like a local, whether for you that means attending the symphony under the sparkling gilt dome of the Lucas Theatre, or chilling at an ancient neighborhood watering hole like Pinkie Master's whose walls are covered in mementos from a more recent political past. Check out the plaque on the bar where Jimmy Carter stood as President in 1978 to thank Pinkie for his political support. I would also be glad to offer personal recommendations for the best Savannah has to offer to ease your trip planning.
A large number of guests have remarked that there is much more to see in Savannah than they realized. So you might want to stay a day or two longer than initially planned. See my Related Links page for ideas of what to do or where to stay while visiting Savannah!
 If you plan on bringing your canine friends to Savannah, you are in luck, the city tends to be very "dog friendly". Dogs are welcome on all rambles that do not include a visit to a house museum. Dog owners should plan on bringing a leash and waste bags with them in order to comply with city ordinances. Who knows, you might even meet UGA, the University of Georgia mascot on one of his strolls through his hometown!
|
|
|
|
|
|
