Postcards showcasing the historical structures of Wormsloe, including the ruins of Fort
Wymberly, the Wormsloe House and a restored slave cabin, represented some of the different
ways of life for those who once inhabited and worked on the grounds. Accessible to the public
during the 1930s, each of the structures provided a historical glimpse into the stories behind the
lives of its occupants.
Views from the Wormsloe House
Views from the Wormsloe House On certain occasions, the main residence of the DeRennes was included as part of the public walking tours of Wormsloe during the 1930s. Visitors were allowed to tour the first floor of the mansion and, as an added bonus, to venture to the roof for a sweeping view of the expansive grounds and the river beyond. [Bragg, DeRenne Three Generations of a Georgia Family, 330]
A Restored Slave Cabin
A ticket to Wormsloe Gardens not only included access to its formal gardens, it also allowed visitors to view the historic ruins of Noble Jones tabby structures and a restored slave cabin. As one of the original eight frame slave houses built during the 1850s at Wormsloe, it was surrounded by a paling fence to protect the small enclosed kitchen garden from unwanted foragers. [DeRenne Family Papers, https://crew.uga.edu/files/PlacesinTime13.pdf]
Liza in Front of the Cabin
With the opening of Wormsloe Gardens to the public in 1927, the DeRennes hired Liza to provide visitors with a glimpse into the interior life and domestic responsibilities of those who once lived in the former slave cabin. “Old South” food staples, including coffee and hoecakes, were prepared and made available to visitors. [Swanson, Wormsloe’s Belly]
A View Inside the Kitchen
Outfitted with a variety of 19th century cooking and laundering tools, the restored slave cabin displayed a butter churn, waffle irons, batter cake irons, pots, cranes (used for hanging pots over the fire), spiders (three legged stands designed to support kettles and pans) and a plethora of other useful utensils. Also on view were a “fanner” basket and pestle used for the laborious tasks of separating rice from the chaff and removing the husk, along with flat irons and fluting irons used for smoothing and ruffling fabric. [Cooking Tools of the Trade, https://www.nps.gov/fosc/learn/education/cooktools.htm] [Sunday Magazine, Marcy 24, 1929, Georgia Historical Society Vertical Files]
The Ruins of Fort Wymberly
Fort Wymberly, Noble Jones’ colonial era military outpost at Wormsloe, protected the river route to the south of Savannah against an invading army and acted as the country residence for the family. Constructed of tabby, a combination of lime, water, sand, ash and oyster shells, the fortified ruins have attracted visitors and artists alike throughout the years. Starting in 1933, visitors had the added opportunity to view artifacts excavated from the ruins, including glass bottles, ceramics and metal objects, on display at the library. [Bragg, DeRenne Three Generations of a Georgia Family, 330-331]