Preservation posts: the online journal of the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Nov. 2015

Preservation Posts - November 2015 | View in web browser
- Message from the Director - Tybee Post Theater: A success story - Surveying Georgia's WMAs - HPC Training in Thomasville - News and Announcements (2016 HPF grant cycle opens Dec. 4!) - Upcoming Events
A message from the Director
By: Dr. David Crass Division Director & Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
"Identifying Problems"
"The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill." - Albert Einstein
Leading an organization is a real privilege, but it also is darned challenging sometimes. One of the biggest challenges leaders face is understanding the nature of a problem they are trying to solve. In Leadership on the Line (Harvard Business School Press, 2002), Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky identify the single most common cause of leadership failure: mistaking an adaptive problem for a technical problem. A technical problem is one that you can address with tools already in your toolbox. The solutions might not always be easy, but both the solution and the pathway to solving the problem are clearly evident. Adaptive problems on the other hand are those that require experimentation, new ways of thinking, and fundamental changes in an organization. Adaptive problem solving can cause great turmoil, and it often requires leaders to make decisions that are, in the short term, unpopular.
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Heifetz and Linsky came to mind the other day as I was thinking about the challenge of recruitment in historic preservation. Recruitment refers to bringing new constituents into the historic preservation community. To this observer, recruitment is an adaptive challenge all of us in the discipline must face. Thankfully, there are some good examples out there. For instance, Inherit GA is an exciting new initiative of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation designed to cultivate and prepare the next generation of preservation leaders in Georgia. This group of supporters has come together to work within the organizational network of The Georgia Trust to pursue social and educational activities, and to establish bonds of friendship through a mutual interest in architecture, history and culture. If you're a reader of this newsletter (and under 40 years old...which leaves me out by a long shot) you owe it to yourself to check out this opportunity.
Another great example is CRSurveyor, which is under development by the National Park Service and several SHPOs. CRSurveyor is an architectural history field survey tool that has been tested in several communities, including Alexandria, Va. Although you might think that a field survey tool is applicable to a technical problem (identifying and recording historic resources), CRSurveyor is designed for volunteers who may not have any formal exposure to historic preservation -- so it is also applicable to our adaptive problem of recruitment. HPD is in discussions with the NPS to participate in CRSurveyor here in Georgia, if funding can be identified to help further development of the app. Look for more on this in the future.
I hope all our readers have a safe and happy holiday season!
The Tybee Post Theater
- A Rehabilitation Success Story
By: Carole Moore HPD Grants Coordinator
After 15 long and challenging years, and almost $2 million spent, the rehabilitation of the historic Tybee Post Theater (constructed in 1930 at Ft. Screven on Tybee Island) is finally complete! A grand reopening reception was held Sept. 26, and a follow-up inaugural season event --"Tybee's Got Talent!"-- the next evening.
The Tybee Theater rehabilitation began in Fall 2008, when the Friends of the Tybee Theater received from HPD a $20,000 Georgia Heritage grant -- the first funded exclusively with historic preservation license plate revenues -- to repair the historic theater's exterior doors and windows. This Phase I grant project proved to be an amazing catalyst in generating donations and grants of more than $500,000 (far more than the original $20,000 HPD grant award).
At the conclusion of the phase 1 project, the late Cullen Chambers, grant project manager and then-executive director of the Tybee Island Historical Society, said that it was the visibility of the project that spurred the Tybee Island community to take an increased interest in the rehabilitation of the theater. At that time, he emphasized: "The grant award is a classic example of how a small matching grant can multiply the dividends many times over!"
The words Chambers spoke have proven to be very true. Other rehabilitation funding sources have included donations and pledges from Tybee citizens of more than $240,000, and more than $100,000 from local business leaders; $20,000 from the Georgia Department of Economic Development; $25,000 from the Savannah Community Foundation's Alan Gaynor Fund; and $100,000 from an anonymous donor. Others funds included a $65,000 loan from the City of Tybee Island, a $500,000 construction loan, $347,600 in SPLOST funds, and approximately $100,000 raised from special events. Subsequent rehabilitation projects funded through these other sources have included installing a new roof, HVAC and plumbing systems, bathrooms, and an upstairs office; and reconstructing a concession area, lobby, stage, and 1930s-style marquee and box office (all of which had been demolished or lost through the years). Two hundredand-forty theater seats acquired from the Trustees Theater in Savannah were also installed; and an inviting new plaza and walkway have been created.
Chantal Morton, executive director of the Tybee Development Authority, expressed the enthusiasm of city officials recently, when she said, "The City of Tybee Island is beyond thrilled that the Tybee Post Theater has reopened. Over the past several years, the restoration of this historic theater has been a labor of love for a full spectrum of individuals, from the volunteers and staff with the Friends of Tybee Theater, residents, island visitors, and even contractors. It represents what can be done with leadership, generosity, and community pride for history and culture."
She added: "Tybee's art community continues to flourish, and the theater is an essential part of this growth, while also representing community heritage and vibrancy. The Post is a quality venue for concerts, performances, lectures, and meetings, which will have a strong economic impact on the island year-round."
A final gift from the City of Tybee Island was offered to the theater this month: $110,000 in audio/visual equipment, lighting, and soundabsorbing panels, which was all that remained to make the theater fullyfunctioning. Jim Kluttz, president of the theater's board of directors, quoted in a Savannah Morning News article dated Nov. 12, 2015, said: "This is going to make it much easier to do productions. . . Because of the lack of equipment, we've been limited on what we can do. But just to see the people having fun in there -- you can feel it. I did not expect this great feeling. I think everybody on our board shares it."
When the Georgia Heritage Grant Program was created in 1995, it was envisioned as a "seed" grant program to do exactly what we have seen happen to the Tybee Post Theater -- generating community enthusiasm and support to preserve a significant historic landmark. Although the Georgia Heritage Grant Program is not a large program, it has, since 1994, awarded more than $3 million in matching grants to a total of 248 preservation projects (for significant community landmarks throughout the state, such as lighthouses, cemeteries, theaters, depots, courthouses, and schools). Beginning with the Tybee Post Theater grant award in state fiscal year 2009, historic preservation license plate revenue has been the sole source of funding for the Georgia Heritage Grant program. In that time, more than 14,000 plates have been sold or renewed, and nine additional projects have been funded through license plate revenue.
Bravo to the Tybee Post Theater!
Forestry and Archaeology
- Surveying Georgia's WMAs
By: Jennifer Weber HPD Staff Archaeologist - WRD
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) maintains more than one million acres of land in Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's). The main purpose of the statewide public WMA system is to support wildlife conservation and allow access to hunt and fish, as well as other recreational outdoor activities.
DNR maintains a Forestry Management Unit (FMU) that performs various forestry activities related to the preparation of timber sales. These activities enhance wildlife habitat and improve the health of forest trees. In general, harvests are designed to enhance growth of the residual trees, or to promote full and prompt regeneration. Timber harvests on lands owned or managed by the State of Georgia need to comply with provisions of the Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA) of 1991 (O.C.G.A 12-16-1) and the State Agency Historic Property Stewardship Program (O.C.G.A 12-3-55). This is where the Historic Preservation Division comes into play.
Working closely together with WRD's Forest Management Unit, HPD's archaeologists review and evaluate any potential impact that forestry activities could have on known or unknown archaeological sites, on and below the surface. For this, the archaeologist will review the proposed project area and identify potential high probability areas for cultural resources to exist. In most cases, this is followed by an archaeological reconnaissance survey of the harvest area to confirm the initial assessment.
The two primary categories of historic sites that are encountered during these surveys are Native American sites below ground and remnants of homesteads constructed in the early 20th century. Each project is reviewed, and a full resource inventory and assessment is conducted for the project area, to minimize any potential damage to cultural resources.
If you want to learn more about Georgia's Wildlife Management Areas, visit www.georgiawildlife.com. To learn more about archaeology in Georgia, visit georgiashpo.org/archaeology.
Historic Preservation Commission Training
- Georgia HPD, Thomasville host event for preservationists
By: Lauren Ericson Outreach Program Assistant
On Nov. 5th, the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Natural Resources offered one-day training for statewide Historic Preservation members, staff, architects, and preservationists. The event was hosted by the City of Thomasville. More than fifty registrants attended sessions on preservation law, design guidelines, architectural styles and types, and local case studies. Attendees also enjoyed refreshments and a beautiful venue: the Thomasville Center for the Arts.
Presentations led by Melvin B. Hill, of the University of Georgia, Ken Kocher, of Madison, Robert Ciucevich, of Quatrefoil Consulting, and Lee Webb, of Thomasville Landmarks, Inc., were interesting and informative for all. Following presentations, many attendees contributed thoughtful comments and questions. These training sessions are particularly helpful not only for the expertise represented by presenters, but also for the resulting conversations amongst the various professionals in attendance.
HPC training continually considers significant preservation issues, and the concerns of registrants with different backgrounds and experiences. We are thankful for the speakers, and for the turnout of registrants, who made this event successful. We also thank the City of Thomasville, the Center for the Arts, and the other local officials who contributed, particularly Kha McDonald.
The events are invaluable to Certified Local Governments and their continuing preservation work. At least one HPC member must attend one training each year. For more information on this and other trainings, please visit HPD's conferences page.
We look forward to returning to Thomasville for future events, and appreciate all who joined us this Fall!
Recent News & Announcements
2016 Historic Preservation Fund Grant Cycle Now Open - The holiday season is fast approaching. It's also that time of year when the annual Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grant cycle begins. The HPF grant program is appropriated annually from Congress through the National Park Service to the state historic preservation offices. HPD then reserves 10% of each year's appropriation to award 60/40 sub-grants to federally designated Certified Local Governments (CLGs) for preservation projects. Applications for the FFY 2016 cycle will be available on HPD's website December 4, 2015. There are no priority project activities for this grant cycle. Eligible project examples include historic resources surveys; National Register district nominations; local designation reports; design guidelines; public information brochures, websites, or workshops/conferences; conditions assessment reports or preservation plans for a specific building or site; and bricks-and-mortar rehabilitation/repair for a specific building or site. Historic sites may include (but are not limited to) cemeteries, parks, gardens, landscapes, and battlefields. Brickand-mortar (development) projects must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and submit with their application a planning document (such as a preservation plan) for the property. Only federally designated CLGs are eligible to apply, but they may choose to partner with a non-profit organization located within their community for a preservation project. Applications must be postmarked on or before February 1, 2016. Grant awards will be announced in April 2016. Projects may begin in May 2016- and must be completed by September 30, 2017. If you have questions about the grant program or application process, please contact Grants Coordinator Carole Moore at 770-389-7848 or carole.moore@dnr.ga.gov. Click here for more details or an application for the HPF grant program
Input STILL Needed For 5-Year Statewide Preservation Plan We've started work on Georgia's next 5-year State Historic Preservation Plan. One of the most important aspects of developing a preservation plan is to gather public feedback. We value your input - please take a moment to fill out our short survey.
Ritz Theater Listed in the National Register of Historic Places (Press Release - Nov. 6)
Upcoming Events
Dec. 11, 2015 - Fairview/ES Brown Heritage Meeting - Cave Spring The Fairview-ES Brown Heritage Corporation will hold its annual meeting Dec. 11, at the Hearn Academy in Cave Spring, Ga. The Fairview-ES Brown Heritage Corporation exists to preserve the memory of Fairview and E.S. Brown Schools in Georgia. HPD's African American Program Coordinator Jeanne Cyriaque will serve as guest speaker. The meeting is open to the public, and will be held from 6-8 p.m.
Feb. 18, 2016 - Coastal Nature, Coastal Culture Symposium - Savannah The Ossabaw Island Foundation is organizing the "Coastal Nature, Coastal Culture: Environmental Histories of the Georgia Coast" symposium. The event will have ten national speakers share their insight on the intersection of coastal cultural history and the environment. including two related to African American heritage. UGA Press will publish the proceedings and the Georgia Historical Society will develop the program into their next award winning teacher education program. To register or learn more, visit www.gacoast2016.org.
Want to Contribute?
- Submit a Guest Article
Preservation Posts is published to inform the public about historic preservation issues and developments from the perspective of the SHPO. In keeping with that purpose, HPD has inaugurated a new policy of occasionally soliciting guest articles that are directly related to our statutorily mandated programs. Please note that we do not publish opinion pieces. We also retain editorial control as well as the right to reject any submission.
To pitch or submit a piece, or ask questions concerning an idea, email HPD Public Affairs Coordinator Jeff Harrison at jeff.harrison@dnr.ga.gov.
www.georgiashpo.org
Title image: The top of the recently renovated CCC Fire Tower at Fort Mountain State Park, in Murray County. The Tower was restored, and hosted a grand reopening in November. See more. Copyright 2015 DNR Historic Preservation Division, All rights reserved.
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