1876: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times – Green-Meldrim House
October 31 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
WHEN: Thursdays and Saturdays in October (except Saturday, October 19) at 6:30 p.m.
Dates: Thursday, October 3; Saturday, October 5; Thursday, October 10; Saturday, October 12; Thursday, October 17; Thursday, October 24; Saturday, October 26; Thursday, October 31
WHERE: Green-Meldrim House, 14 West Macon Street, Savannah, GA 31410 – on Madiso Square
HOW MUCH: Admission: $20 per person. Limited attendance. Available through www.GreenMeldrimHouse.org Link: https://greenmeldrimhouse.square.site/
CONTACT: Jamie Credle, 912-233-3845; jcredle@GreenMeldrimHouse.org
WHAT ELSE: The evening performance at the historic Green-Meldrim House views the American Centennial Year -1876 – from the prospective of two great cities – Philadelphia, the site of the International Exhibition and Savannah. which experienced its most deadly yellow fever epidemic. It killed 1,066 people, or 6% of the city’s population. The Gothic Revival house will serve as the backdrop for skilled interpreters to share, in a dramatic fashion, how the events of the year were viewed and participated in by residents of Savannah. “It was the best of time; it was the worst of times!” The after-hours program will encompass music, as well as travel, invention, and politics. Featuring: Costumed interpreters; viewing the Gothic Revival house in the evening; discussions of events of a spectacular nature which happened in Savannah’s past.
Additionally: The program will last one hour. Space is limited, and patrons are encouraged to get their tickets in advance. The performance requires guests be able to walk up and down stairs and maneuver in low light. Guests are encouraged to arrive on time to enjoy the full experience.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us. . ..” Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities.” 1859.
This quote, which opens Dickens’ classic novel, could well describe the events of 1876. America marked its 100th birthday with great celebrations including the International Exhibition in Philadelphia introducing the innovations of the age, including the sewing machine, the typewriter and the telephone. All the while, Savannah struggled with a terrible yellow fever epidemic and the country underwent discord from the most contentious presidential elections in American history.
