The Ossabaw Island Foundation is ready for Torrey-West Campus Rehabilitation
The Torrey-West Mansion, a 20,000-square-foot structure designed nearly a century ago by renowned Savannah architect Henrik Wallin, stands as a powerful symbol of Ossabaw Island’s rich history and Eleanor ‘Sandy’ Torrey-West’s enduring legacy. Over the years, this majestic home has captivated visitors, who often try to imagine what it must have been like when it was first completed. From the distinguished artists, writers, scientists, and professionals involved in the Ossabaw Island Project (OIP) and the interdisciplinary Genesis Project at Middle Place, to the many attendees of sold-out Pig Roasts and the constant stream of day-trippers and overnight guests facilitated by The Ossabaw Island Foundation (TOIF), one thing unites them all: a deep respect and appreciation for Sandy’s mission and her historic home.
The mansion, commonly referred to as the Main House, along with its surrounding structures—The Little Torrey House (cottage) and a garage—now forms the heart of what is being referred to as the Torrey-West Campus.
In May 2024, the long-awaited news arrived: Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a budget that included full funding for the rehabilitation of the Torrey-West Mansion and its adjacent structures. This marks a significant milestone for Ossabaw Island and TOIF, which has spent many years striving to secure the necessary funds to restore the estate. More than 20 years ago, the Foundation successfully raised around $300,000 to restore its iconic Ludowici tile roof. The obvious next challenge was Sandy’s home, but many questions remained, particularly: How much funding would be needed, and how long would it take? Could it be done?
“There is no apprehension about this project at all,” says Board of Trustees Chair Leigh Lambert Goff for TOIF. “At some point every 100-year old structure needs care and upkeep, and that moment has arrived. We are grateful that the State of Georgia was willing to fully invest in Ossabaw’s next 100 years.”
Given its historical significance and architectural value, the goal is to bring it back to a functional state. “This is a historic rehabilitation project,” says Elizabeth DuBose, Executive Director for TOIF. “No sledgehammers, no gutting and no moving of walls.” The good news is that the home’s foundation and overall structure are sound, so the mansion can be brought back to a livable condition without requiring extensive overhauls. This State of Georgia funded and Department of Natural Resources Engineering managed project is scheduled to take approximately two years to complete, with work set to begin in late 2024.
“Ossabaw Island’s building use is at capacity, and this will increase the Foundation’s bedspace by 100%,” continued DuBose. “This will create meeting/classroom space for up to 50 people further enhancing natural resource conservation. It will foster 6th-12th grade through graduate-level university education, on-island scientific research, and works by writers and artists.”
TOIF is dedicated to promoting exceptional educational, cultural, and scientific programming on the island. It is the gateway to Ossabaw, to access its unique environment, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in its untouched beauty, diverse wildlife and rich history.
For now, TOIF is tasked with preserving and relocating items still inside the mansion, each needing to be carefully managed, cataloged and stored. While many of Sandy’s personal valuables and heirlooms were acquired by her family after her passing in 2021, the Foundation purchased a portion of the original furniture from Sandy and the Torrey family donated the remaining half. Under the guidance of its Board of Trustees, TOIF is committed to ensuring that the rehabilitation not only respects the island’s past but also enhances its future use.
The next two years will be critical for the Torrey-West Campus, maintaining a mission to inspire, and encourage learning and exploration. Once complete, the Torrey-West Mansion will stand as a testament to the island’s enduring legacy and serve as a constant reminder of Sandy Torrey-West’s vision.
The island’s own magic and mystique is also part of what makes this project so important. Sandy Torrey-West herself used to say “this is what the real world looks like.” Ossabaw Island is a place where nature reigns, and the earth’s processes are laid bare for all to see. This rehabilitation will not only preserve the physical structures on the island but also safeguard the intangible essence that has captivated so many over the years, in particular artists.
Photopoint Gallery Director and a newly appointed member of the Board of Trustees, Joy Dunigan is a frequent flier to the island and works to educate everyone she meets about TOIF. “One thing that seems to impress people most when they learn about Ossabaw Island, is how close it actually is to where they live. The fact that it lives and breathes ever so quietly right here in our own backyard is pretty amazing.”
“It’s also important for people to know when they are asked to support TOIF, that places like Ossabaw are becoming more and more rare. Anywhere you go, just about anything you do on the island is inspiring and leaves an indelible mark on your soul. If you have ever visited Ossabaw Island, you know exactly what I mean.”
Speaking of support, from late 2024 through early 2026, a number of public, high-profile art-related events are scheduled, some benefitting the Foundation directly. On November 16 in Richmond Hill, the Photopoint Gallery will host the second opening of Ossabaw Outtakes, a collaborative exhibit by paper-cut assemblage artist Peter E. Roberts and Dunigan, offering a fresh, evocative perspective of the island. In Savannah, opening early 2025, Laney Contemporary will feature the works of esteemed artist Betsy Cain, and then later in September, the Telfair Museums will present a stunning exhibition entitled Off the Coast of Paradise: Ossabaw Island, Georgia, 1961-Now.
To learn more about The Ossabaw Island Foundation, visit ossabawisland.org.
