GHIA HISTORY

  • A large historic Victorian-style house with a rounded facade, multiple windows with shutters, a central staircase, and a front porch, surrounded by trees and a black iron fence.

    Historic Ware's Folly

    The former home which houses the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art is known as “Ware’s Folly.” Built by Nicholas Ware in 1818, it is a beautiful example of the Federal style of architecture of the time. Several prominent Augustans called this building home throughout the years, including members of the Sibley family, as well as Emily Tubman. It was purchased in 1937 by Olivia Herbert, who donated it to the Augusta Art Club for classroom & exhibition space.

    Photo courtesy of National Historic Register, ca. 1972

  • Handwritten note on yellow paper reading 'Incorporation of The Retired Veterans Memorial Institute of Flat'.

    Founding the Institute

    The Augusta Art Club was established in 1932, but lacked a permanent facility with suitable classroom and gallery space. by 1936, Ware’s Folly was facing demolition after years of neglect. Artist & club supporter Olivia Herbert saved the building and funded renovations to donate it to the Augusta Art Club. In 1937 they established the Institute and in gratitude, named it after Olivia’s daughter Gertrude, who had recently passed away.

    Banner photo: A number of original members of the Augusta Art Club pose on the steps of the back porch of Ware’s Folly. Above: A scanned portion of GHIA’s incorporation request to Richmond county.

  • A group of children sitting on the floor in an art gallery, looking at a large painting on the wall. Some children are raising their hands, and a female guide or teacher is standing next to the painting, holding a book or booklet.

    Throughout the Years

    GHIA has remained a pillar of the Augusta art community since its incorporation in 1937. Contemporary art exhibitions, artists talks, art education, tours, and exciting social events weave our history with that of the Augusta River Region.

    We look forward to connecting with many more generations of artists and supporters as GHIA approaches its 90th anniversary!

    Photo: Undated, Youth attending a tour learn about mixing paints using the art in the gallery as examples.

The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art : A History

By Karen Klacsmann

Did you know we have a book about the history of the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art and the historic buildings we call home?

You can read in-depth information in our e-book by Historian Karen Klacsmann, written to celebrate GHIA’s 75th anniversary. Download the pdf by clicking the button below.

DOWNLOAD E-BOOK

Our Campus

  • A large, historic white house with multiple large windows, black railings, a curved staircase leading to a central front door, and a small balcony above the entrance, surrounded by trees and greenery, with brick paving in the foreground.

    Ware's Folly

    Our Main Gallery Building and Administrative Offices.

    Ware’s Folly, also known as the Ware-Sibley-Clark House, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The grand structure features Adamesque-style detailing on the interior and exterior, a floating spiral staircase, and intricately detailed fanlights, mouldings, fireplaces, and window and door surrounds. The home is considered one of the finest examples of Federal Style architecture in the United States. It was surveyed by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in 1936 - click here to see the listing on the Library of Congress Website.

  • A large, white, three-story house with a front porch, brick foundation, and multiple windows on each floor, surrounded by greenery under a cloudy sky.

    Walker-Mackenzie Education Studio

    Art Education Classrooms

    Located directly behind Ware’s Folly is the Walker-Mackenzie Education Studio. The historic home, built 1909, was purchased and donated by the Walker and Mackenzie families in 2001. The Institute converted the home into classrooms that include a ceramics studio and photography darkroom. The facility added 4,000 square feet of ADA-compliant space and has allowed the organization to expand its visual arts curriculum. Browse our class catalog> ART CLASSES

Why “Ware’s Folly?”

The nickname, “Ware’s Folly” was given to the home by the early Augusta community as a tongue-in-cheek prod at the sum of money needed for its completion. When Nicholas Ware built this grand summer home in 1818, he spent nearly $42,000, which in today’s money would be $1.2 million!

The money was spent on the highest quality of craftsmanship. Throughout Ware’s Folly, visitors can still see the intricate adornments and woodworking features as they were originally crafted. The structure’s architectural highlights shine much as they did in the 1800s, and display the artisanship of a bygone era, which contrasts beautifully with the contemporary art exhibitions. This creates a unique experience for visitors.

Learn more about the gallery spaces hosted in this beautiful building. > GALLERIES

NOTABLE PEOPLE

  • A black and white vintage photograph of a group of people, including men and women, standing and sitting on stairs outside a brick building. Some women are wearing dresses with hats, and some men are in suits. The text at the bottom reads 'The Augusta Art Club.'

    The Augusta Art Club

    The Augusta Art Club was formed in 1932 by Miss Louisa Mustin and a group of friends. They met regularly around town for discussions of art, classes, and lectures by experts in the field. In just a few short years they sought a permanent home for their programs and events.

  • Portrait of an elderly woman with short, wavy hair, wearing a maroon dress and pearl jewelry, sitting against a dark background.

    Olivia Herbert

    Olivia Herbert was born in 1862 to a wealthy family that owned many factories in the Northeast. She resided principally in Pennsylvania, but wintered yearly in Augusta. Herbert was a philanthropist who supported several local causes, which came to include the GHIA in 1937.

  • A portrait painting of a woman with short, curly brown hair, wearing a green dress and a pearl necklace, against a warm, textured background.

    Gertrude Herbert Dunn

    The namesake of GHIA, Gertrude Herbert Dunn was born in 1893 and was the only daughter of Olivia Herbert. She was an author, and had four children with her husband Edward Delaney Dunn. Sadly, she passed away due to spinal meningitis in June of 1933.

  • Man in suit reading a book in a room with framed pictures and documents on the wall behind him.

    Horace Day

    Horace Talmadge Day was already an accomplished artist when he was appointed as the first director of GHIA. His landscape paintings are in the collections of many museums, including Augusta’s Morris Museum of Art. Learn more about Day via the Johnson Collection. > HORACE DAY

  • Black and white illustration of a man with short hair, wearing a suit and cravat, facing slightly to the right.

    Nicholas Ware

    Nicholas Ware was born in 1776. He was a businessman who constructed Ware’s Folly in 1818. He also became Mayor of Augusta the same year. In 1821 he became a Senator for the State of Georgia, and he served until his death in 1824.