SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) - The Savannah City Council has approved the second phase of a plan to erect a monument in Columbia Square honoring the seven female preservationists who saved the Isaiah Davenport House. The plan was approved by a unanimous vote at a City Council meeting held at the Eli Whitney Complex in Savannah, Ga. Katharine Judkins Clark, Elinor Adler Dillard, Anna Colquitt Hunter, Lucy Barrow McIntire, Dorothy Ripley Roebling, Nola McEvoy Roos and Jane Adair Wright saw the need for an organization dedicated to protecting historic buildings in the city. The seven preservationists founded the Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) in 1955. The Organization came after they raised $22,500 to purchase the iconic Davenport House from being razed to create a funeral home parking lot. Lately, the descendants of the preservationists have led the charge to honor them. “We’re incredibly grateful to Mayor Van Johnson and the Savannah City Council for supporting the plans to install a permanent monument to seven brave women who initiated the preservation movement in Savannah, which helped to revitalize our city,” said Lucy Brannen, the granddaughter of Lucy McIntire, who helped lead the initiative to install a permanent monument. “This monument will serve as a meaningful, enduring addition to Columbia Square where the movement began.” Savannah’s own DePue Monument Company will fabricate the new monument, which will be installed at the edge of the brick paving centered behind two existing benches in the northern part of Columbia Square in the summer of 2025. This will help to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the saving of the Davenport and the founding of the HSF. “We’re thrilled that a permanent monument will celebrate the vision of seven inspiring Savannah preservation leaders who changed the course of our city’s history,” said Sue Adler, CEO and President of Historic Savannah Foundation. “All of us at Historic Savannah Foundation are deeply honored to share their story and appreciate the hard work that went into designing, reviewing and approving this important new monument.” Learn more about the preservationists and the HFS by visiting this website. Plan in place for monument honoring 7 female preservationists in Savannah