Walk into Monterey Square on a humid Savannah afternoon, and you'll see it. The house. It’s a massive, rose-colored brick Italianate villa that basically anchors the entire square. Most people call it the Mercer Williams House, and honestly, it’s probably the most famous private residence in the South.
You’ve likely heard of it because of a book. Or the movie. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil turned this place into a pilgrimage site for true crime fans and history buffs alike. But here’s the thing: most of the "facts" people spout while standing on the sidewalk are slightly skewed or flat-out wrong.
For starters, no Mercer ever actually lived there. Not one. General Hugh Mercer started building it in 1860, but the Civil War had other plans. Construction stopped. Union soldiers reportedly scavenged the bricks for their own shelters. By the time it was finished in 1868 by John Wilder, the Mercers were long gone. The name stuck, though, because Savannah loves its lineage.
Then came Jim Williams.
The Man Who Saved Savannah (and the House)
In 1969, the house was a wreck. It had been the Alee Temple for the Shriners, and before that, it sat vacant and decaying. Jim Williams bought it for $55,000. That sounds like a steal today, but back then, downtown Savannah wasn't the polished jewel it is now. It was gritty.
Williams was a character. He was a high-end antiques dealer and a self-taught preservationist who eventually restored over 50 houses in the city. He spent two years on the Mercer Williams House, filling it with 18th-century English portraits, Chinese export porcelain, and some of the finest Regency furniture you’ll ever lay eyes on.
He was the king of Savannah society, famous for his Christmas parties that were the toughest ticket in town. But that all changed on May 2, 1981.
The Shooting of Danny Hansford
If you’re visiting the Mercer Williams House Savannah, you’re thinking about the study. That’s where it happened. Danny Hansford, a 21-year-old who worked for Williams and had a—let’s call it "volatile"—relationship with him, ended up dead on the floor.
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Williams claimed self-defense. He said Hansford pulled a gun and fired first. The prosecution said Williams staged the scene, moving furniture and "wiping" Hansford’s hands to hide the lack of gunpowder residue. It took four trials. Four. That’s a record in Georgia. Williams was convicted, overturned, convicted, mistried, and finally acquitted in 1989.
He died only eight months after he was cleared. Heart failure. He was 59. Legend says he was found in the exact spot where Hansford died. Whether that’s Southern Gothic flair or a weird twist of fate, it certainly keeps the ghost tour guides in business.
Beyond the Scandal: What You’ll Actually See
You can actually go inside today. It’s still a private home, owned by the Williams family (Jim’s sister, Dorothy Kingery, looked after it until she passed in 2023). Because it’s a residence, you aren’t allowed to take photos inside. It’s annoying, sure, but it keeps the mystery alive.
The house is a museum of Jim’s life. You’ll see:
- The grand ballroom with its 11-foot-tall mirrors.
- The library where some of the most intense legal strategy sessions took place.
- A collection of Chinese porcelain that makes most museum curators jealous.
- The carriage house, which is now a gift shop where you can buy books about the trial.
The vibe is heavy. It's beautiful, but there’s a distinct feeling that you’re a guest in a house that hasn't quite let go of its past.
Tragedies Nobody Talks About
Everyone focuses on the 1981 shooting, but the Mercer Williams House has seen more than its fair share of darkness. In 1913, a previous owner, John Wilder (not the original, his son), tripped over a banister on the second floor. He fell, broke his hip, and died a few days later.
Then there’s the story of Tommy Downs. In 1969, right around the time Williams bought the place, an 11-year-old boy was playing on the roof of the then-abandoned house. He fell. He didn't just hit the ground; he was impaled on the wrought iron fence below. If you look at the fence on the West Gordon Street side today, one of the spikes is missing. People say it was never replaced as a mark of respect—or a warning.
How to Visit Like a Local
Don’t just roll up and expect to get in. It’s popular.
1. Book your time slot. The tours are about 35 minutes long and they run every 20 to 40 minutes. They usually start around 10:30 AM (12:00 PM on Sundays). If you show up at 2:00 PM on a Saturday in April without a plan, you’re going to be standing in the sun for a while.
2. Check the calendar. The house often closes for restoration in January. In 2026, they have specific dates for the carriage shop being open while the main house is closed, so verify on their official site before you drive into the historic district.
3. Respect the "No Photos" rule. Seriously. The docents are sharp-eyed. If you try to sneak a picture of the Grandfather clock (the one Hansford allegedly knocked over), they’ll catch you.
4. Walk the square first. Spend ten minutes in Monterey Square. Look at the Pulaski Monument. Notice how the house looms over the square. It gives you a sense of the "stage" Jim Williams built for himself.
Actionable Takeaway for Your Trip
When you finish the tour, walk three blocks south to Forsyth Park. Grab a coffee at one of the cafes on Bull Street. It’s the best way to decompress from the heavy, antique-laden atmosphere of the mansion.
If you want the full experience, read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil before you go. Don't just watch the movie. The book captures the specific, eccentric cadence of Savannah that the film misses. It’ll make every room you walk through in the Mercer Williams House Savannah feel like you're stepping into a chapter you already know by heart.