Ships Of The Sea Maritime Museum

Updated August 29, 2025

Description

The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum occupies a distinguished early-19th-century house and offers a concentrated, thoughtful look at the maritime story of Savannah and the Southern coast. Housed within the elegant William Scarbrough House, a Greek Revival residence built in 1819, the museum focuses on 18th- and 19th-century vessels, maritime art, ship models and artifacts that trace commercial ties, naval advances, and daily life at sea. The building itself is part of the attraction: its parlor garden and intimate event spaces make the visit feel less like a trip to a typical museum and more like stepping into a living room that remembers long voyages.

Visitors see finely crafted ship models, paintings, nautical instruments and a carefully curated selection of artifacts tied to Savannah’s seafaring past. The collection emphasizes craftsmanship—models that sailors and shipwrights used for planning, paintings that chart the changing aesthetics of nautical art, and objects that reveal logistics of the era: charts, compass housings, sextants, and bits of rigging. The focus is firmly on the late 18th and 19th centuries, a period when steam and sail crossed paths and Savannah’s port played an important regional role.

The museum doubles as a community venue. It hosts live performances, lectures and periodic special exhibits; the parlor garden is frequently used for receptions and small events. That combination—historic house, focused maritime collection, and public programming—creates a layered experience: history lovers get the exhibits, architecture fans get the Scarbrough House, and casual visitors get a pleasant garden to linger in after the galleries.

The atmosphere is intentionally intimate. Galleries are scaled to fit the house, so displays can feel personal and up-close. For many visitors this is a strength: details on a model ship or the brushwork in a marine painting come into sharp relief when there isn’t a cavernous hall to swallow them. On the other hand, those expecting sprawling, interactive megamuseums might find the footprint compact. That said, small often equals memorable here—especially if a guided tour is available to add context and storytelling to the objects on view.

Key Features

• Exhibits focused on 18th- and 19th-century vessels, with a strong emphasis on ship models and maritime artifacts
• Located in the historic William Scarbrough House (built 1819), notable Greek Revival architecture and period rooms
• Parlor garden and event space that host receptions, concerts, and small public programs
• Guided tours offered to deepen understanding of the collection and house history
• Gift shop carrying maritime-themed books, reproductions and local crafts
• Live performances and rotating exhibitions that refresh the visitor experience
• Offers active military discounts and family pricing to encourage broader access
• Onsite free parking lot for visitor convenience
• Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom (note: not all seating and special assistive technologies are available)
• Admission fee in place to support ongoing preservation and programming

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is when the weather makes walking around the historic district pleasant—spring and fall tend to be ideal. In spring, azaleas and other flowering shrubs near historic properties brighten gardens and make a stroll after a gallery visit genuinely restorative. Autumn brings milder temperatures and lower humidity, which is great for people who prefer to pair museum time with a walk along the riverfront.

Weekday mornings are a sweet spot for those who want a quieter visit. The museum’s compact galleries reward relaxed pacing; arriving early reduces the chances of bumping shoulders during popular events. Weekends often host small concerts or public programs, and those can be a highlight—if the schedule aligns with a visitor’s interest in live music or maritime lectures, a weekend trip becomes a richer experience.

Summer in Savannah is hot and humid, so afternoons can be draining. But summer also draws tourists and special programming, so if a particular exhibit or performance is the main draw, plan for an air-conditioned break afterward and expect more foot traffic. Winter is mild compared to many regions; it’s an underrated season for exploration if someone prefers fewer crowds and lower prices on nearby accommodations.

How to Get There

The museum sits within Savannah’s historic core, making it accessible to visitors staying in downtown hotels or exploring the riverfront. It’s an easy walk from many downtown points of interest; those who enjoy urban walks will find that combining a museum visit with a self-guided stroll through nearby squares and streets yields a fuller sense of place.

For drivers, the museum offers onsite parking at no extra charge—handy in a city where parking can sometimes be a puzzle. Public transport and local shuttles also serve the broader historic area for those who prefer not to drive. Rideshare and taxi drop-offs are straightforward at the house, and the compact layout of the district makes transitions between stops quick.

Travelers arriving from farther afield should consider timing: morning or early afternoon arrival allows for museum time before other planned activities like riverfront dining or guided trolley tours. The museum’s central location makes it a natural stop on a day of historic exploration rather than a standalone trip requiring extensive transit.

Tips for Visiting

• Allow 60–90 minutes. The intimate galleries and house rooms reward unhurried viewing but don’t usually require a whole afternoon unless paired with events or a longer garden stay.
• Check the schedule. Special exhibits, guided tours and live performances rotate; a program can transform a standard visit into something memorable. If a concert or talk is listed, arrive early—seating and space in the parlor garden can be limited.
• Bring or request accessibility information in advance. The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking and restroom facilities, but some seating and assistive hearing options are not available. If specific accommodations are needed, contacting staff before arrival is recommended.
• Take advantage of discounts. Active military and families are eligible for special pricing; visitors should inquire about current rates and any seasonal promotions at the admissions desk.
• Use the gift shop as a quick taste of maritime culture. It’s a good place to pick up a well-researched book on local maritime history or a small reproduction model as a keepsake.
• Combine the visit with nearby sites. Because the house is within the historic district, pairing the museum with a riverfront walk, a meal at a nearby café, or visits to other nearby historic houses creates a fuller itinerary.
• Photography etiquette: small-house museums often limit flash and tripods. Play it safe and check posted signs or ask staff before taking pictures of exhibits.
• Expect an intimate setting. The museum’s scale is part of its charm; for visitors used to large, interactive science centers, it helps to adjust expectations and enjoy the craftsmanship and historical layers on display.
• If planning an event, reserve early. The parlor garden and event spaces are popular for small weddings, receptions and corporate gatherings—bookings fill up during peak wedding season and festival weekends.

Overall, the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is a focused, well-preserved tribute to maritime life centered in an architecturally significant house. It rewards slow looking, curiosity about ships and materials, and an interest in how a port city’s maritime ties shaped culture and commerce. For travelers who appreciate history told via objects and setting rather than spectacle, the museum offers an enjoyable, informative stop in Savannah’s historic heart.

Key Highlights

• Exhibits focused on 18th- and 19th-century vessels, with a strong emphasis on ship models and maritime artifacts
• Located in the historic William Scarbrough House (built 1819), notable Greek Revival architecture and period rooms
• Parlor garden and event space that host receptions, concerts, and small public programs
• Guided tours offered to deepen understanding of the collection and house history
• Gift shop carrying maritime-themed books, reproductions and local crafts
• Live performances and rotating exhibitions that refresh the visitor experience
• Offers active military discounts and family pricing to encourage broader access
• Onsite free parking lot for visitor convenience

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