Today we begin our official “Countdown to Savannah”!

Each Sunday from now until the end of March 2008 we’ll share something interesting, unique and often unexpected about Savannah.

With 63 posts over the next 14+ months, we'll be able to learn a lot about the many facets of this historic, hospitable and intriguing American city. Our weekly posts will touch on Savannah's history, famous people, architecture, food, culture, surrounding area and much more. We hope to acquaint you with Savannah, entice you to gather with us there, and prepare for a very memorable weekend in April 2008.

Today—to welcome Slow Travelers to Savannah—we feature the famous and often-photographed statue, The Waving Girl, located on a bluff at the east end of the downtown riverfront area. (Photo of The Waving Girl below courtesy of the Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau)

The Waving Girl statue recognizes Florence Martus (1868 – 1943) who waved at the ships sailing in and out of Savannah for over 40 years. Today we’d like to think she’s waving at Slow Travelers to welcome us to her city in 2008.

The inscription below the statue reads: "Her immortality stems from her friendly greeting to passing ships, a welcome to strangers entering the port and a farewell to wave them safely onward."

The bronze Waving Girl statue is the work of sculptor Felix de Weldon, who is considered the foremost American sculptor of the 20th century and is best known for his masterpiece “Flag Waving on Iwo Jima” in Washington D.C. His statue of the Waving Girl with a collie dog is one and one-half times life size, cast in one piece and mounted on a slanted platform.

The Waving Girl statue was commissioned by the Altrusa Club and erected in 1972. According to the city of Savannah website, the Waving Girl is the first memorial to a woman in any Georgia city park. It is just one of many interesting statues and memorials you’ll discover all around Savannah.

Learn more about the Waving Girl and the work of sculptor Felix de Weldon here:

Florence Martus, the Waving Girl

Georgia's Cockspur Island Light: Home of the Waving Girl

The Waving Girl

Felix de Weldon (biography and works)

Join us for The Great Slow Travel Gathering - Savannah, Georgia - April 4 to 6, 2008

Kathy

In this crazy world, how nice to know that just the simple gesture of waving brought so much happiness to so many.

I often wonder if my smiles and nods to people when I'm walking or biking is a waste of time, only a few ever get acknowledged, but the story of Florence gives me assurance that it is precisely these small gestures that keep up connected to one another.


Thanks Kathy for all your hard work for the GTG, (she waves ) you are truely a gem. I am looking forward to futher posts.

Ginger

Hey, this is like taking a class when you have somebody who does all the research and all you have to do is show up each week!

This is going to be a great way to get a GTG fix on a regular basis.

Thank you, Team Savannah!

Terrific job, Savannah team! And Savannah should thank you, too....what great marketing for this beautiful city!

Gail