Construction on the Mercer-Williams House began in 1860, commissioned by General Hugh W. Mercer, the great-grandfather of famed songwriter Johnny Mercer. The design was crafted by New York architect John S. Norris, whose influence is seen in many of Savannah’s prominent buildings. However, the Civil War interrupted its progress, and the home remained unfinished for years. It wasn’t completed until 1868—ironically, not for General Mercer, but for a new owner who purchased the property after the war.
The result was a striking 7,000-square-foot red brick mansion, complete with arched windows, a wrought-iron balcony, and a lush courtyard—making it a quintessential example of 19th-century Southern elegance.
Fast forward to the 1960s, when Savannah preservationist and antiques dealer Jim Williams purchased the home and spent two years restoring it, and filling it with 18th and 19th century Regency and Empire furniture, 18th and 19th century portraiture by Gilbert Stuart and Thomas Hudson, and a wide collection of Chinese export porcelain. Williams became a key figure in the city’s preservation movement, but his legacy took a darker turn in 1981.
In that year, Williams was arrested for the shooting death of Danny Hansford, a local employee and lover. The incident occurred inside the Mercer-Williams House, setting off a sensational legal saga. Williams was tried four times for Hansford's murder--an almost unheard-of number of trials for a single case in the U.S.--and was ultimately acquitted in 1989.
The murder and the complex character of Jim Williams became the heart of John Berendt’s 1994 nonfiction novel MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL. The book was a massive success, painting a vivid portrait of Savannah’s eccentric charm and shadowy secrets. In 1997, Clint Eastwood directed the film adaptation, which starred Kevin Spacey as Williams and brought the Mercer-Williams House--as well as Savannah and The Lady Chablis--to an international audience. Though filming was restricted to exterior shots and the carriage house, the home's façade became instantly recognizable to fans of the story.
Today, the Mercer-Williams House is open for guided tours, though not all rooms are accessible to the public. Visitors can view the opulent furnishings, historic artifacts, and the lavish interior restoration completed by Williams himself. The home remains privately owned by Williams’s niece and the greater Williams family. You can find more information about visiting the house at the Mercer-Williams Museum website.
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of staying in the Wedding Cake Mansion on Monterey Square in Savannah, just across from the Mercer-Williams house. I was excited to tour the home but was disappointed to discover that photos are forbidden. These pictures below are from the Mercer-Williams Museum website.
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