Preservation posts, 2018 April

IN THIS ISSUE:
A Message from the Director The National Register Program in GeorgiaMaking Changes to Keep Making History CLG Spotlight: Locust Grove News and Announcements Upcoming Events
A Message from the Director
by: Dr. David Crass, david.crass@dnr.ga.gov Division Director & Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Director Crass has had a busy April! His column will return next month. Stay tuned.
The National Register Program in GeorgiaMaking Changes to Keep Making History
By: Stephanie Cherry-Farmer, National Register and Survey Program Manager stephanie.cherry-farmer@dnr.ga.gov
"To change is difficult. Not to change is fatal." William Pollard The National Register of Historic Places (National Register) is an incredibly important program to the people and historic resources of Georgia. Nomination to the National Register affords to many historic resources- and related aspects of Georgia's history- the only chance they will ever have to be researched and documented, and in that way, the program literally "makes history" every day. In addition, the financial incentives available to listed properties allow many buildings that would not otherwise have been saved to be brought back to life, so the program is also tasked with defining a significant portion of Georgia's historic preservation potential. HPD does not take these responsibilities lightly. While fun and fascinating, the National Register nomination process- just like any research project- is also full of inconsistency and uncertainty. How much effort and time a nomination will take is entirely case-by-case, dependent on everything from the complexity, accessibility, previous documentation, and even ownership of the subject property or properties, to the level and types of significance that need to be documented, to the skill and experience of the nomination preparers. A great deal of this inconsistency is beyond anyone's control, and much of it can't and doesn't come to light until a nomination effort is well underway. While this is the nature of the National Register program, often, this means that National Register nominations take a great deal of time to complete. HPD has always aspired to do everything possible to mitigate the natural uncertainty of this process by making the technical aspects of the process as clear, consistent, and predictable as possible. But we believe that we can improve these efforts AND substantially increase efficiency by making some changes to the NR program as it currently functions. This is the first in a series of exciting announcements detailing a variety of changes that will be made to the program over the next year. To start the ball rolling, we are pleased to announce that our office is phasing out the use of the Historic Property/District Information Forms (HPIF/HDIF). Sponsors will begin filling out the National Register Registration Form, NPS form 10-900, using newly created HPD guidance in tandem with the National Park Service's National Register bulletins. HPD will NO LONGER ACCEPT HPIF/HDIF submissions as draft nominations as of June 18, 2018. The HPIF/HDIF, our office's long-time recommended alternatives to form 10-900, were created as a means of getting the needed information for a nomination, and assisting inexperienced nomination preparers. They provide direction and detail that form 10-900 lacks, and updated requirements that the National Register bulletins do not offer. As such, HPD's new "Packet for Nominating Individual Resources/Historic Districts to the National Register of Historic Places" includes much of the invaluable guidance that the HPIF/HDIF contained, reorganized so as to complement and be used in tandem with National Register Bulletin 16a: How to Complete the National Register Registration Form. Simultaneous with the new nomination packet, we have also redesigned and expanded our National Register Preliminary Assessment of Eligibility applications, based on models from other states. The new applications aim to capture more information upfront, with the hopes that they will allow our staff to more efficiently determine potential eligibility, and better facilitate National Register nominations by providing more developed upfront guidance to nomination preparers.
High-quality Georgia and National Registers of Historic Places nominations are a hallmark of HPD, and fundamental tools for Georgia's historic preservation and history communities. HPD is excited to explore opportunities for maintaining and improving the quality of nominations, while simultaneously working to foster increased efficiency, and ensure that the National Register program remains viable and attractive to the broadest possible diversity of nomination preparers and resource types. We encourage you to discover our new National Register nomination packets and preliminary eligibly applications on HPD's website. STAY TUNED for further National Register process revisions to come- we look forward to partnering with you on this journey!
CLG Spotlight: Locust Grove
By: Sarah Rogers, Certified Local Government Coordinator sarah.rogers@dnr.ga.gov
Incorporated in 1893, the City of Locust Grove (Henry County) was named for a grove of flowering locus trees that could be seen from anywhere in town. Like many cities in Georgia, the town began to grow and develop in the 1880s when the completion of the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad line connected Macon and Rome, by way of Atlanta and Locust Grove. The town served as a distribution center for many agricultural products, like preaches and cotton. Literally and figuratively, the railroad was the center of town with most residential structures located on the eastern side of the railroad and commercial buildings on the western side. While the Locust Grove Historic District was recently designated in 2016, Locust Grove's historic resources have a long history. The community is home to the Locust Grove Institute's Academic building, an educational building that the community valued and preserved without official designation. The Locust Grove Institute now serves at the community's City Hall.
Certified in 2014, Henry County's Locust Grove was Georgia 87th Certified Local Government. As a bedroom community for Atlanta, Locust Grove's residents chose to seek certification because they recognized the need to preserve their historic resources. Locust Grove's designation of their resources proactively preserves them before development pressures in the area get too high. "We wanted to preserve the character of our community," said Betty Shearouse, a member of the Locust Grove Historic Preservation Commission. The Locust Grove Historic Preservation Commission members are committed to their city and its history. Many of the members are involved with historical societies, other community organizations, and government commissions. The city's commitment to preservation goes beyond just the Historic Preservation Commission, Mayor Robert Price said, "Preserving our history is an investment in Locust Grove's future." Their active Main Street organization, Downtown Development Authority, and preservation-minded leaders Locust Grove's historic resources are in good hands.
News and Announcements
The National Park Service has issued its annual report on the federal tax incentives program! Read the report here. The Georgia Trust for Historic Places has issued a call for nominations for Places in Peril. The program identifies historic properties threatened by demolition, neglect, and inappropriate development. Nominations are due June 11, 2018. More information can be found here.
Upcoming Events
April 27-29- The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Spring Ramble Join the Georgia Trust for their spring Ramble in Columbus! Over the course of the weekend, you will explore different historic districts and experience a full range of architectural wonders! More information regarding the Ramble can be found here. May 5- New South Archaeology Day Ever wonder what archaeologists really do? Want to get involved in preserving Georgia's past? Come to Archaeology Day on May 5th to find out! A variety of activities and exhibits await you and your family to dig deep into the real work archaeologists do. Activities include excavation pit and screening for artifacts, pottery-making, basketweaving, decorating rock art, flint-knapping, spear throwing with an atlatl, and more! Come see! May 9- Georgia Trust Path of Portman Tour Join the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation for a tour of select Downtown Atlanta buildings designed by architect-developer John Portman. Look forward to seeing you there! May 16- Georgia Cities Foundation Heart and Soul Workshop- Dublin, GA This six-hour workshop targets municipal officials that are interested in downtown revitalization. Workshop participants are provided opportunities to view actual plans and projects with officials from the host city discussing their downtown and neighborhood strategies, their success stories, and their lessons learned. The workshop includes formal presentations and tours of downtown areas. More information here. May 19- Archaeology Month at Fort King George Join Dr. Richard Jefferies for a walking tour of Fort King George and a lecture on the Sapelo Island Mission Period Archaeology Project that has been on-going for the past 12 years! Reservations required. More information here. May 25- Regional Historic Preservation Commission Training A one-day Regional Historic Preservation Commission Training will be offered on Friday, May 25 at the CSRA Regional Commission. This certified training is for any historic preservation commission member who needs or seeks training, HPC staff member, your county/city attorney, planning and zoning board member or staff, or for those who need a refresher course. More information here. August 15- Historic Preservation Commission Training HPD will host a Historic Preservation Commission Training on Tuesday August 15 in conjunction with the Georgia Downtown Conference at Chateau Elan in Braselton. Registration has opened. Sign up now! Would you like to see an event listed? Email allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov
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 occasionally solicits 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's Outreach Program Manager, Allison Asbrock, at allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov.
TITLE IMAGE: Peachtree Center National Register Nomination Copyright 2017 DNR Historic Preservation Division, All rights reserved.