The Tenement Era
From 1890 - 1955, the Davenport House became a series of poorly maintained apartments, sometimes with entire families living in a single room. These are called tenements. We are just beginning to uncover their stories.
The Chan Family
In 1889, Chung T’ai Peng—renamed Robert Chan upon his arrival—became one of Savannah’s first Chinese immigrants. Robert and his wife, Annie, lived in the Davenport House from 1901 to 1902 while operating a Chinese laundry in what is now the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy. Their story embodies the broader experience of early Chinese immigrants in America while uniquely reflecting Savannah’s cultural landscape, shaped in large part by Robert’s leadership, influence, and social connections.
In January 2024, the Davenport House Museum opened an exhibition showcasing a collection of photographs and stories that reveal the daily lives of the Chan family, their business endeavors, and their experience as part of a growing Chinese-American community in the South in the early 20th century.
The Research
In 2008, Kristine A. Chase wrote her master’s thesis on the Tenement Period of the Davenport House Museum. Her research uncovered the stories of businessmen, Irish immigrants, Chinese immigrants, war widows, and so many more who lived in our house.