The Torrey West Home Turns 100: Rehabilitating a "Southern Place" on Ossabaw Island, GA

HSF is delighted to welcome Elizabeth DuBose, Executive Director of the Ossabaw Island Foundation, as the October speaker for HSF’s Lecture series. Ms. DuBose will be presenting on “The Torrey West Home Turns 100: Rehabilitating a 'Southern Palace' on Ossabaw Island, GA” on Thursday, October 15 at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center, located in the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy at 323 E. Broughton St. Attendees are invited to attend a wine reception at 5:30 p.m. The lecture will start at 6 p.m. Built between 1924 and 1926, the Torrey-West House stands as one of Georgia's most remarkable private coastal estates. As the home celebrates its centennial, this presentation explores the ambitious rehabilitation of the 20,000-square-foot residence, highlighting the unique challenges of preserving a historic home on a remote barrier island accessible only by boat. Learn how a partnership between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and The Ossabaw Island Foundation is ensuring this architectural treasure will continue to serve educational, cultural, and scientific programs for generations to come. Elizabeth Dubose has led the Ossabaw Island Foundation (TOIF) since 1998. As Executive Director, she has focused on sharing Ossabaw Island’s natural and cultural resources and history. Ossabaw is a state-owned barrier island set aside for natural, scientific, and cultural education, research, and study. DuBose supervised the restoration or stabilization of 12 historic buildings on Ossabaw, including the award-winning restorations of three mid-19th-century tabby buildings. Island visits have risen from 500 in 1999 to 3,000 in 2025 during DuBose’s tenure. TOIF’s Public Use and Education Programs now offer trips focusing on indigenous, African American, and coastal Georgia history, creative arts, and indigo dyeing.