Two Men Who Helped Historic Preservation - Richard Jenrette and Jim Williams

Aug 11

Remnants of Jim Williams’ life and contributions can be felt all over Savannah’s Historic District. He was a successful antiques dealer, historic preservationist, as well as local socialite. Williams assisted in preserving over 50 buildings in Savannah and the Low Country. He was involved with the preservation of the Old Pink House, three buildings at 541-545 Congress Street, Armstrong House, Hampton Lillibridge House, Merault House and of course his own house, the Mercer House. He was restoring 126 East Gaston at the time of his death. But instead of preservation, Jim would become known more for his role of the main character in the book and movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”. He was accused of murdering his male lover and after four trials, was acquitted. He died in Mercer House in 1990. Without Jim Williams, who knows what Savannah would look like today.

Richard H. Jenrette founded the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust in 1993, with a mission to preserve and protect examples of classical American residential architecture and surround landscapes. Jenrette had a successful Wall Street career, mentoring younger colleagues and fostering their careers, earning him the title of ‘the last gentleman on Wall Street. Mr. Jenrette’s house purchases included Milford Plantation (Sumter County, SC), Blacklock House and Roper House (Charleston, SC), Homes on 11th Street, 38th Street, 1 Sutton Place, Charlton Street, and the Baker House on 93rd St (NY, NY), Edgewater (Barrytown, NY), Ayr Mount (Hillsboro, NC), Cane Garden (St. Croix). In retirement, Mr. Jenrette and his long-time partner William L. Thompson traveled and spent portions of time at his different properties. A self-proclaimed ‘house-aholic’, Jenrette wrote a book called ‘Adventures With Old Houses’. In his lifetime he and owned and restored fourteen historical homes. Mr. Jenrette quietly passed on at Roper House in 2018.

Here are some of their accomplishments.

In 1993, he founded Classical American Homes Preservation Trust with his gift of Ayr Mount in Hillsborough, NC.

Jenrette purchased the William Roper House on The Battery in Charleston, South Carolina in the late 1968.

Jim Williams was very involved with the saving and restoration of the Pink House in Savannah, GA

Jenrette’s Barrytown, NY home, Edgewater, where he lived with his partner of 40 years, William L. Thompson who assisted and documented the restorations and collections. Jenrette purchased Edgewater from Gore Vidal in 1969.