Preservation Georgia, Oct. 2001

GP R E S E R V A T I O N
EORGIA
October 2001

GEORGIA CELEBRATES HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH AND ARCHAEOLOGY AWARENESS MONTH

Governor Barnes signs the Historic Preservation Month proclamation on May 9. Representatives from several organizations were present, including the Society for Georgia Archaeology, the Department of Natural Resources, the Historic Preservation Division, The Georgia Trust, the National Register Review Board, the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network, the Atlanta Preservation Center, and the National Trust Advisory Board.
Historic Preservation Month and Archaeology Awareness Month were both celebrated in May this year. Special events were planned across the state honoring the occasions. The National Register Review Board meeting was held in Atlanta and featured the Historic Preservation Division's (HPD) annual presentation of achievement awards. The Historic Preservation Month Proclamation was read at the Heritage Marketing Group of Atlanta's annual Landmark Celebration reception at the Atlanta Cyclorama. Other events in Georgia included the Prater's Mill Country Fair in Varnell on May 1213 and the 1836 Creek Indian War at Westville in Lumpkin on May 26-28.
This year marked the eighth anniversary of an archaeology awareness promotion in Georgia. This year's theme, "Diving Into Georgia's Past," focused on underwater archaeological sites.

The Society for Georgia Archaeology (SGA) serves as the primary sponsor of Georgia Archaeology Awareness Month. This year's co-sponsors included HPD, the Coastal Heritage Society, the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists, the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns, LAMAR Institute, Antonio J. Waring Laboratory, Brockington and Associates, New South Associates, Southeastern Archeological Services, Southern Research and TRC Garrow Associates. A highlight of Georgia Archaeology Awareness Month was the spring SGA meeting in Savannah, which explored the archaeology of the Confederate Navy and included presentations on the Hunley, the Jackson, the Georgia, the Alabama and the Nashville. For more information about SGA, please visit their Web site at www.georgia archaeology.org.
Governor Barnes signs the Archaeology Awareness Month Proclamation on May 9. Representatives from the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns, the Society for Georgia Archaeology, the Historic Preservation Division, and the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists presented Governor Barnes with this year's Archaeology Awareness Month poster.

WHAT'S YOUR VISION?

DIRECTOR'S COLUMN
W. Ray Luce

"Where there is no vision the people perish." Although this ancient proverb is usually applied to an individual's spiritual condition, it also applies to a community's secular survival. This was recently brought to my attention on two separate occasions.
The first incident took place this summer after a meeting in northeastern Ohio. As I drove down Route 91, it was evident that two towns along the route had been guided by very different visions about their historic resources. First, I visited Hudson, Ohio. Hudson is laid out with a town square, like most communities in what was once Connecticut's Western Reserve. Hudson's vision of its future has, for several years, included all of its historic resources. The town square is still intact. A row of successful commercial buildings lines one side of the square, while churches, the city hall, a library, homes, and even a mortuary line other sides of the square. The houses and landmark buildings present a prosperous, well-kept image of the town. These buildings also greatly enhance the community's quality of life. That quality of life, however, did not come without great effort. In order to maintain their vision of the town, they have won battles with bank chains, the state department of transportation and the post office.

Such a vision is not present 10 miles south in Tallmadge, Ohio. It also has a town square--the site of two th magnificent historic buildings, a 19 -century town hall and a spectacular white frame church. The comparison ends there. Nothing historic surrounds the town square. In fact, the town square is in the middle of a large traffic circle, surrounded by fast food outlets and service stations. Unfortunately, at some important point in the town's life, preservation did not extend beyond the town square. Today, the quality of life in Tallmadge is much less than it might have been had its citizens preserved more of their downtown.
I noticed the same difference in how people view historic resources during a meeting in Atlanta with representatives from a Georgia city undertaking a major revitalization program. Rather than seeing the historic buildings in the target area (many of which are small and in poor condition) as assets, the plan for the area seems to see these buildings as symbols of past problems. I understand that plans call for the demolition of almost all of the buildings in this National Register district. New "compatible" housing will be constructed. The plan is a more sophisticated version of the urban renewal visions of the 1950s. The plan may provide improved housing for area residents, but is it the only possible vision for the area?
Certainly not!

A more positive vision led leaders of the Historic District Development Corporation in Atlanta's Martin Luther King historic district to
see the historic houses there (many small and in poor condition) as assets rather than liabilities. They rehabilitated many structures others would have torn down because they wanted to preserve the area's history. Shotgun houses, similar to those in the first community, now provide good housing for area residents. In addition, construction of infill houses in the district, the first new houses in fifty years, has led to a waiting list of individuals wanting to live in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is successfully using its past as the core around which new development is constructed.
What is your vision for old buildings? Are you among those that can see what buildings can become, or do you see only the peeling paint and problems? The vision we choose will not only determine how much of our heritage we allow to be preserved, but determine the future of our communities and the quality of life for our children and grandchildren. We need to have a large vision, a vision that uses our past to build a better future.

2002 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE

The Historic Preservation Division, The Georgia Trust, the Macon Heritage Foundation and the Urban Land Institute will host Georgia Communities at the Crossroads: Growth Strategies and Solutions , the 2002 State Historic Preservation Conference in Macon, Georgia on February 28-March 1, 2002. The conference theme addresses growth strategies for Georgia communities and the positive role historic preservation can play. Conference sessions include community envisioning, transportation planning, local government issues, incentives and tools, downtowns, neighborhoods, schools, real estate opportunities, open space and archaeology. Tours of historic properties in Macon will be offered as well. The opening session will feature two national smart growth experts: National Trust President, Richard Moe, and real estate consultant, Donavan Rypkema. Pittsburgh's Stanley Lowe, a national
authority on neighborhood revitalization, housing and preservation will be a featured speaker at the closing session.

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PRESERVATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) announced its fifth annual Preservation Achievement Awards during a National Register Review Board meeting on May 18. Honorees were recognized for significant contributions made while working specifically with HPD and its programs. These individuals were nominated by HPD staff members and recognized as having helped further HPD's mission, vision, and goals. Greta Covington, former senior director of communications and development at The Georgia Trust in Atlanta, is an outstanding advocate for local projects, strong networks, and meaningful cooperation in addressing preservation issues. Isaac Johnson of Augusta, treasurer and a founding member of the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network, has been a crucial supporter of Georgia's African American preservation initiative for over 10 years, providing stability for the organization and encouraging others to use preservation services and programs. Cecil N. McKithan, National Register programs division chief at the National Park Service, has served in the National Park Service southeastern regional office in Atlanta since its inception. He has worked with many programs impacting preservation in Georgia including National Historic Landmarks and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities program. Robin Nail, preservation planner for the Heart of Georgia -Altamaha Regional Development Center in Baxley, is responsible for coordinating the preservation planning activities for her 15-county region. She has prepared countless National Register nominations, tax credit applications, comprehensive plans and grant applications. Judy Wood, underwater archaeologist for the Savannah District Corps of Engineers, has tirelessly promoted the identification, preservation and appreciation of our maritime heritage. She has worked closely with HPD to incorporate underwater cultural resources into the statewide archaeology program, particularly in the use of remote sensing equipment.
HPD ANNUAL PLANNING RETREAT
HPD staff and invited guests met at Hard Labor Creek State Park on April 27. Discussion focused on ways that HPD and local governments can work together to preserve Georgia's historic and archaeological resources.

FROM THE GROUND UP:

A PRESERVATION PLAN

FOR GEORGIA 2001-2001

The National Park Service approved

HPD's state historic preservation plan in

June 2001. The Plan was developed over

a two-year period with the input and

cooperation of historic preservationists

and the public throughout the state. It

builds on the previous five-year plan and

will lead HPD's preservation efforts for

the next five years. A five-year action

plan was also developed and will be

available on HPD's Web site. The Plan is

currently in the final stages of preparation

for printing and should be available for

distribution later this year.

____________________________
PRESERVATION GEORGIA

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www.gashpo.org. ____________________________
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

2001 marks the 25th anniversary of the

Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax

Credit Program. Since 1976, private

investment in Georgia has generated over

$800 million for the rehabilitation of

historic properties, making Georgia a

national leader in this community

revitalization program. The number of

certified rehabilitation projects and the

amount of certified expenses consistently

ranks Georgia in the top ten states. For

the past five years, Georgia has ranked

second with 216 projects and ninth with

$167,250,932 in expenses. After 25 years,

the federal tax credit program continues to

promote preservation, create jobs, and

support economic development.

Congratulations to all Georgians who use

federal tax credits to make our

communities better places to live and

work.

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Historic Preservation Division 156 Trinity Avenue SW Suite 101 Atlanta, GA 30303 404/ 656-2840
www.gashpo.org

PRESERVATION
GEORGIA
Published by the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources
W. Ray Luce, Division Director & Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Sylvia Cleveland, Editor
Persons or organizations wishing to be added to or removed from our mailing list may do so by notifying HPD at 404/ 656-2840. This publication is also available on our Web site and in an alternate form obtainable by contacting the ADA coordinator at HPD. Readers are invited to submit i nformation for publication. To be considered, items must reach the editor two weeks prior to publication. This publication has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, through the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Interior, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products of consultants constitute an endorsement by these agencies. This program receives federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. The U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender, or disability in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, contact: Office for Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C
Street NW, Washington, DC 20240

PRESERVATION CALENDAR

October 2001

13

Society for Georgia Archaeology fall meeting--Roswell

16-21 Preserving the Spirit of Place: National Preservation Conference

2001, Providence, Rhode Island

21-24 Georgia Downtown Association Annual Conference--Decatur

November 2001 9-10 Historic Preservation Commission Training--Fitzgerald 15-16 Georgia Civil War Commission Preservation and Education
Forum--Macon

January 2002

25

National Register Review Board meeting--Atlanta

18-20 "Your Town" workshop--Plains

February 2002 28-March 1 "Georgia Communities at the Crossroads: Growth
Strategies and Solutions"--2002 State Historic Preservation
Conference--Macon

April 2002 19-21 The Georgia Trust's 2002 Annual Meeting--LaGrange