Historical Research

Thanks to research conducted by scholars across disciplines, we can understand how the Noble Hardee House’s creators and inhabitants lived their lives and shaped Savannah.

To uncover a property’s development, uses, and cultural significance over time, our team examines various sources. These include historic photographs, maps, architectural drawings, tax records, deeds, census data, and city directories, to name a few.

Artistic depiction of the Pulaski Monument with the Noble Hardee House in the background. Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 	
GHS 1361-PC-07-0079.

Historic photos can help the team understand the timeline of construction and major changes to the building over time. Paired with other documentation, the team can decide the period of significance and identify what architectural elements date to that period.

Historic Photos

Census records and city directories identify the occupants of the house over time. These records shed light on the many tenants and businesses renting space in the Noble Hardee House who would not have been listed in tax documents or records of sale.

Census Records & City Directories

Historic newspaper collections can often highlight the importance of building within a community. Articles often discuss property sales, events, and residents, which provide valuable context for the building’s use over time.

Newspapers

Learn more about our Historical Research initiatives

Conservation
How do we learn who owned and lived in the building?
How do we learn who owned and lived in the building?

We set out to confirm the ownership, occupants, and use of the Noble Hardee House over time. Find out what documents we used and learn how you can do this for your own building.

Conservation
How do we learn who owned and lived in the building?
How do we learn who owned and lived in the building?

We set out to confirm the ownership, occupants, and use of the Noble Hardee House over time. Find out what documents we used and learn how you can do this for your own building.

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Image of the house c.1880s courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 1375-PH-001-0171

Image of the house c.1880s courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 1375-PH-001-0171

Stereograph of the Pulaksi Monument courtesy of the Library of Congress

Stereograph of the Pulaksi Monument courtesy of the Library of Congress

Bull St. c.1930s courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 360-PH-11-19-05

Bull St. c.1930s courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 360-PH-11-19-05

The Dump dated 1956 from the Geechee yearbook courtesy of Georgia Southern University

The Dump dated 1956 from the Geechee yearbook courtesy of Georgia Southern University

Photograph of the Pulaski Monument, c. 1888-1900 Image courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 2126-PH-01-03

Photograph of the Pulaski Monument, c. 1888-1900 Image courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 2126-PH-01-03

Image from Savannah Morning News (September 6, 1968) announcing the purchase of the property at 3 West Gordon as the new association headquarters. Image courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, collection Number: 1349, Box 62, Folder 1083

Image from Savannah Morning News (September 6, 1968) announcing the purchase of the property at 3 West Gordon as the new association headquarters. Image courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, collection Number: 1349, Box 62, Folder 1083

Stereoscopic view of the Pulaski Monument from the NYPL Robert N. Dennis collection of Stereoscopic views dated 1865. Noble Hardee House visible to the right of the Pulaski Monument.

Stereoscopic view of the Pulaski Monument from the NYPL Robert N. Dennis collection of Stereoscopic views dated 1865. Noble Hardee House visible to the right of the Pulaski Monument.

Photograph of the house c.1970s courtesy of the Historic Savannah Foundation

Photograph of the house c.1970s courtesy of the Historic Savannah Foundation

Stereograph of Pulaski Monument, c. 1860-1869 Image courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 1361-SG-02-01-N-07

Stereograph of Pulaski Monument, c. 1860-1869 Image courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 1361-SG-02-01-N-07

Armstrong Junior College c.1940 with the Noble Hardee house in the background. Image Courtesy of Georgia Historical Society, GHS 1360-PH-03-24-01

Armstrong Junior College c.1940 with the Noble Hardee house in the background. Image Courtesy of Georgia Historical Society, GHS 1360-PH-03-24-01

Third floor dance studio dated 1956 from the Geechee yearbook courtesy of Georgia Southern University

Third floor dance studio dated 1956 from the Geechee yearbook courtesy of Georgia Southern University

Image from the Savannah Morning News. Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, Collection Number: GHS 1849, Box 5.

Image from the Savannah Morning News. Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, Collection Number: GHS 1849, Box 5.

Photograph of the Pulaski Monument c.1865 courtesy of the Library of Congress

Photograph of the Pulaski Monument c.1865 courtesy of the Library of Congress

Savannah Arts Association hangs paintings off of the balcony. Image from the Savannah Morning News. Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 1349, Box 62, Folder 1083

Savannah Arts Association hangs paintings off of the balcony. Image from the Savannah Morning News. Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, GHS 1349, Box 62, Folder 1083