Built in 1886 just east of Forsyth Park in Downtown Savannah, the Catherine Ward House is considered by many to be the best example of High Victorian Italianate Architecture in Savannah. The home is a unique union of traditional Savannah architecture with the modern conveniences of the Victorian Age. It was built by maritime entrepreneur James Ward, an immigrant originally from Ireland who was attracted to the large Irish community in the new South and who was ready to put down roots with his wife, Catherine, in Savannah’s Victorian District. Captain and Mrs. Ward rose to become prominent members of Savannah’s Irish community, and their name still lives on today through the inn.
The building was also home to other notable Savannahians, including hotelier Michael Gainey and his family from 1913-1935, followed by John M. Trapani and his family through 1965. Recognized for its architectural and historical significance, the house was later purchased and renovated by the Historic Savannah Foundation in the early to mid-1980s.
Under new ownership in the early 2000s, the Savannah bed and breakfast received a complete cosmetic update, including new paint, wallpaper, and floor coverings, furniture, and other guest amenities. In 2016-17, the inn received additional guestroom updates, including fully renovated bathrooms complete with luxurious finishes. Today, the Catherine Ward House Inn welcomes guests into a beautiful, modernized, and airy space that still pays tribute to its rich history through hand-picked antique accents and original, handcrafted architectural details around every corner.
