2007 annual report [Mar. 2007]

Historic Preservation Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources

SFY 2007 Annual Report
July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007
Our Mission
To promote the preservation and use of historic places for a better Georgia.
The Blackford-Gray House, located in Graysville, Catoosa County, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on April 4, 2007. Built in 1883 with later additions, it is an excellent example of a Georgian Cottage with Queen Anne details that retains a great deal of its original materials and workmanship.

Table of Contents

1 2 3 4-5 6 7 8-9 10-11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22-23 24

Our Mission Table of Contents Program Accomplishments A Message From the Director Georgia Centennial Farms Preservation Achievement Awards Our Programs and Services at Work National Register of Historic Places Georgia Heritage Grants Preserve America Cemetery Grants Certified Local Governments Historic Preservation Fund Grants Architectural Technical Assistance Preservation Tax Incentives Historic Resources Survey African American Programs - GAAHPN Environmental Review State Stewardship Awards Archaeology Protection & Education Staff Directory

Designer: Meg Goodson Samuels Contributors: Historic Preservation Division staff Editor: Helen Talley-McRae
Photo credits: all photos are by HPD photographer Jim Lockhart, except: page 5, Ray Luce; page 6, Centennial Farm Award applications; page 8, Burke Walker (bottom); page 9, Burke Walker (right); page 13, courtesy Carole Moore; page 14, courtesy Jennifer Martin Lewis; page 15, scan of brochure; page 16, courtesy Bill Hover; page 18, FindIt survey program files; page 19, Jeanne Cyriaque; page 20, courtesy National Park Service; page 21, Richard Cloues; page 23, David Crass (top); courtesy University of Kentucky (bottom).
This publication has been financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, through the Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 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 or consultants constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or disability in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire more information, write to: Office for Equal Opportunity, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, Washington, D.C. 20240.

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Program Accomplishments
During SFY 2007: 15 Centennial Farm Awards presented, totaling 327 since 1993 (see page 6)
5 Preservation Achievement Awards presented, totaling 79 since 1997 (see page 7)
23 listings added to the National Register of Historic Places, including 808 contributing properties
1,955 total listings, including 66,485 contributing properties, since 1969 (see pages 10-11)
10 Georgia Heritage Grants awarded representing $102,353 (see page 12) 219 total Georgia Heritage Grants awarded, representing $3 million
awarded since 1995 (see page 12)
5 Preserve America Cemetery Grants awarded representing $53,375 since 2007 (see page 13)
1 Certified Local Government designated, totaling 75 since 1985 (see page 14)
8 Historic Preservation Fund Grants awarded (FFY2007), representing $67,749 (see page 15)
289 total Historic Preservation Fund Grants awarded, representing $2,380,771 awarded since 1977 (see page 15)
79 Federal & State Tax Incentives projects were approved, representing $108,596,587 in private investment (see page 17)
1,367 total approved Federal & State Tax Incentives projects representing $920,511,431 in private investment since 1989 (see page 17)
2,740 properties added to the Historic Resources Survey, totaling over 130,000 since 1988 (see page 18)
1 African American Rosenwald School located, totaling 43 since 2001 (see page 19)
3,365 Environmental Review and Compliance projects reviewed, totaling 39,158 since 1990 (see page 20)
4 State Stewardship Awards presented, totaling 21 since 2002 (see page 21)
2,000 properties added to the Archaeological Survey, totaling 49,000 since 1975 (see pages 22-23)

Annual Report SFY 2007

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A Message From the Director

Division Director Ray Luce 404/651-5061 ray.luce@dnr.state.ga.us

Stewardship
At a recent meeting of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, there was an evening candlelight tour of homes in the Summit Hill neighborhood. An unannounced surprise was that one of the houses belonged to Garrison Keillor, star of Prairie Home Companion radio program. Not only did Mr. Keillor open his house, but he was there to greet visitors, and wrote a note about his house for the tour booklet (without identifying the owner). The welcome to his house went as follows: "You buy a house like this, knowing that you are the custodian, not the owner, and you have a moral obligation to keep the slate roof repaired, and the antique awning, and keep the old limestone footings intact, and live with the inevitable sags and bulges. It isn't a museum we live here, eat breakfast, have parties, kids tear around the big rooms, there's music and chatter and spillage but this is Mr. Masqueray's house, too, and on his behalf, we welcome you in."
I think his statement epitomizes stewardship, which has been basic to historic preservation since the movement started. The beginnings of historic preservation in England and America are filled with quotations like this one from John Ruskin, the 19th century British preservationist: "Old buildings are not ours. They belong partly to those who built them, and partly to the generations of mankind who are to follow us."
This report and the activities of the Historic Preservation Division are filled with examples of stewardship from individuals and groups that understand the importance of heritage and preserving historic resources to retain a "sense of place."
Notice, for example, the Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation Stewardship that recognize significant contributions by state employees in preserving state-owned resources. Michael Miller from the Board of Regents was this year's recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. He was instrumental in getting a Getty Foundation grant to develop a template for incorporating a preservation plan in the required university, and college, master plan. The grant paid for developing the master plan and for completing the first plan for Georgia College and State University. The project made a giant step forward in fulfilling the goal of the state stewardship program: that the state take care of, protect and promote the historic resources it owns.
Another example involved activities in Americus after a tornado hit part of an historic district. Immediately after the tornado, the city, along with the historic preservation planner for the Middle Flint Regional Development Center and an employee of the Department of Community Affairs organized an internal

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assistance program. Partially financed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this initiative included personnel from our office and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The program assisted owners in rehabilitating their properties, including a school the city had just rehabilitated. Many homeowners spent hours insuring that the historic features of their homes were rehabilitated correctly. Returning to the area a few months later, the changes were striking. In many locations, damage to buildings had been repaired and, with the exception of the major loss of mature trees, one might not know that a tornado had recently struck the community. One of the most noticeable changes was in Oak Grove Cemetery where Senator George Hooks had spearheaded a rehabilitation project that was nearing completion when the storm struck. He took this as a very personal responsibility, working with the city and others to protect trees and rehabilitate grave markers. The results are impressive.

Georgia State Senator George Hooks (second from right) discusses disaster recovery plans with local and state officials following extensive tornado damage in Americus.

The recent training for Historic Preservation Commissions in Elberton highlighted a multitude of stewardship activities. Elbert County is rehabilitating the county courthouse. The city had preserved and was actively using a historic theater. It was evident by the care taken of several churches in town that their congregations understood the importance of these landmark buildings. And many homeowners and commercial building owners were clearly taking care of their properties.

Last year, Lakeland, Georgia finished moving and rehabilitating its old high school auditorium. The move, which was the only alternative to the demolition of the building, took nineteen months and cost nearly $1 million in local donations. The brick building, which was moved in four parts, has become the Jim and Mary Threatte Art and Civic Center. A sense of stewardship prevailed throughout this project, which saved a building, which held memories for many in the community allowing it to provide similar memories for future generations.

The historic Elbert Theater, owned by the City of Elbert, hosted recent Historic Preservation Commissions training.

There are also many groups around the state, often alumni organizations, preserving a wide variety of educational facilities including Rosenwald schools and other formerly segregated schools. These efforts are epitomized by the work of the late Dr. Suzie Wheeler who was instrumental in the preservation and transformation of Noble Hill School near Cassville from an abandoned derelict building to a vibrant local history museum and community center.

It is gratifying to see such examples of stewardship and many more in a state experiencing rapid growth. It is important that as a state and as individuals, we understand the value of things as well as their cost, and are willing to look at long-term benefits as well as short-term profits. In such an atmosphere, we can preserve Georgia's sense of place while building locations worthy of preservation in the future.

Supporters of the historic high school auditorium in Lakeland raised nearly $1 million in local donations to save it from demolition.

Annual Report SFY 2007

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Georgia Centennial Farms

The Georgia Centennial Farm program honors farms that have been continuously operating for more than 100 years with three types of awards.
The Centennial Heritage Farm Award honors farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Centennial Farm Award does not require continual family ownership, but farms must be at least 100 years old and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Centennial Family Farm Award recognizes farms owned by members of the same family for 100 years or more that are not listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) and sponsored by HPD, the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Forestry Commission, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Georgia National Fair and Agricenter.

In SFY 2007, Centennial Family Farm Awards were presented to:
Berrien: William C. Barber Homeplace J. Alvin and Lois Rowan Farm Rowan Homeplace and Farm Elmer Keefe Farm
Brooks: Ernest Moore Farm Coweta: Thompson Family Farm Dooly: Lenco Plantation Hall: Irvin Family Farm Hart: Chastain Family Farm Jefferson: Turkey Oaks Laurens: Daniel-Bracewell Farm
Rocking "K" Farm Lee: Claysprings Farm Montgomery: W.T. McArthur Farm Union: Wolfcreek Farms
Rowan Homeplace and Farm, Berrien County
Chastain Family Farm, Hart County

HPD Contact - Gretchen Brock 404/651-6782
gretchen.brock@dnr.state.ga.us

Wolfcreek Farms, Union County

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Preservation Achievement Awards

In SFY 2007, Preservation Achievement Awards were presented to:
Larnie Higgins and Planet Studio, Atlanta, for the design of the historic preservation license plate and a series of complementary promotional materials to support HPD's marketing campaign for the plate.
Dr. Clark Alexander, Applied Coastal Research Laboratory, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Savannah, for his steadfast support of the Georgia underwater archaeology program.
Bob Ciucevich, Quatrefoil Consulting, Savannah, for bringing national attention to the historic buildings on Tybee Island and to their unique preservation challenges and opportunities.
DOCOMOMO Georgia, Atlanta, for fostering an awareness of modern architecture in Georgia and promoting the preservation of the state's mid-20th-century buildings and landscapes.
Billy Parrish, Cindy Eidson, and Kim Carter, Georgia Department of Community Affairs Office of Downtown Development, Atlanta, for their belief in the importance of historic preservation as a foundation for economic vitality in our state's cities and towns, and their support of preservation tax incentives as tools to revitalize communities.

The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) presents its annual Preservation Achievement Awards during Historic Preservation and Archaeology Awareness Month each May.
The honorees are recognized for their contributions while working in conjunction with HPD and its programs. These individuals or organizations are nominated by division staff members and are recognized as having helped further HPD's mission, vision and goals and thereby made a significant contribution to historic preservation in Georgia.

The 11th annual Preservation Achievement Awards were presented on May 11, 2007 in Atlanta. Left to right: HPD director Ray Luce, Larnie Higgins, Tom Little (DOCOMOMO), Bob Ciucevich, Kim Carter, Cindy Eidson and Billy Parrish.

HPD Contact Helen Talley-McRae
404/651-5268 helen.talley-mcrae@dnr.state.ga.us

Annual Report SFY 2007

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Our Programs and Services at Work

Case Study: Newton County

In recent years historic preservation in Newton County has seen a notable increase. With twelve National Register of Historic places designations, including eight National Register Districts, Newton County continues to move forward with revitalization and preservation efforts for their citizens countywide. From National Register of Historic Places designations to the local, state and federal tax incentive programs Newton County continues to work with HPD through our regional planning program, as well as with other local organizations to promote important historic properties.

Community Planning Coordinator, Leigh Burns 404/651-5181 leigh.burns@dnr.state.ga.us
The Newton County Historic Courthouse, located in
Covington, was constructed in 1884. Bruce and Morgan Architectural Firm of Atlanta
designed this Second Empire style courthouse that
was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in
1980. The courthouse, a beautiful anchor building of downtown Covington, continues to be a long-standing symbol of Newton County`s
prosperous history.

The Cousins Gymnasium, built in the early 1960's is currently known as the Cousins Center. The Cousins Center, located in Covington, Newton County, Georgia has been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The building is a mid-twentieth century Middle School athletic gymnasium that was designed by Tomberlin-Sheetz of Atlanta, historically one of the most important architectural firms practicing after World War II. The Cousins Gymnasium is important for its distinct architectural features such as the unique parabolic roof supported by a steel cable truss support system. This interesting architectural example is one of a few identified properties from the recent past that meets eligibility requirements for the National Register of Historic Places based on architectural style before the 50-year significance mark. The estimated cost of the rehabilitation is $1 million dollars. Following the complete rehabilitation the Cousins Center will serve as a recreational community center. Notably, the project was recently funded by a $250,000 gift from the Falcons Youth Foundation.

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The Salem Camp Ground, located in Covington, sits on more than 63 acres and continues to offer religious services for Newton County residents, as well as the surrounding area. The camp ground is organized around a large tabernacle and now contains over 25 more structures closely associated with the camp. The area is adjacent to the Salem Camp Ground United Methodist Church. The Salem Camp Ground was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The historic site is a great example of a successfully functioning historic church still inclusive of its historical and contemporary community.

The Porterdale Mill, a 300,000 square foot lofts complex developed by Walter Davis, sits on the banks of the Yellow River. This $20 million investment received a federal and state rehabilitation tax credit as well as a local tax freeze. The completion of the rehabilitation of the historic mill complex, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, created 150 loft apartments in a vacant and deteriorated building. The Porterdale Mill Lofts economic impact on the town has been enormous. The lofts were 80% occupied before completion and entirely rented after rehabilitation. The Porterdale Mill Lofts are so desirable and offer so many amazing amenities to people in Newton County that they now have a waiting list for prospective tenants. (Please see page 17 for more information.)

The Brick Store, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is an excellent example of an early 20th century building in a rural area. The Brick Store project was recently awarded a Georgia Heritage Grant for $9,000 to fund a Historic Structure Report. The Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center also intends to apply for a Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant on behalf of the community to rehabilitate the early stagecoach stop. This building has also succeeded due to the many partnerships of local preservationists like the Newton County Historical Society.

Annual Report SFY 2007

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National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is our country's official list of historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts worthy of preservation. In addition to recognizing their historical, architectural, or archaeological significance, the National Register helps preserve historic properties through benefits and incentives.
The Historic Preservation Division nominates eligible properties to the National Register. Property owners, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and others interested in preserving their historic properties are invited to propose nominations.
National Register Coordinator Gretchen Brock 404/651-6782
gretchen.brock@dnr.state.ga.us

Georgia properties listed during SFY 2007:
Bibb: Macon Railway & Light Company Substation, Macon Carroll: Carrollton Downtown Historic District, Carrollton Catoosa: Catoosa County Courthouse, Ringgold
Blackford-Gray House, Graysville Clarke: Downtown Athens Historic District (Additional Documentation,
Boundary Increase II, Boundary Decrease), Athens Dougherty: Albany Theater, Albany Effingham: Effingham County Jail, Springfield Fannin: Mineral Bluff Depot, Mineral Bluff Floyd: Double-Cola Bottling Company, Rome Fulton: 61 16th Street Apartment Building, Atlanta
Archibald Smith House, Roswell Cox-Carlton Hotel, Atlanta Highland School, Atlanta Newtown Elementary School, Alpharetta vicinity Southern Spring Bed Company, Atlanta Liberty: Dorchester Academy Boys' Dormitory (National Historic Landmark Designation), Midway vicinity Lowndes: Southside Historic District, Valdosta Oconee, Walton, & Morgan counties: High Shoals Historic District, North High Shoals Putnam: Strong-Davis-Rice-George House, Eatonton Taliaferro: Locust Grove Cemetery, Sharon Telfair: Max and Emma Sue McRae House, McRae Thomas: Boston Historic District, Boston Walker: Chickamauga Lodge No. 221, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliate, Chickamauga vicinity
The Catoosa County Courthouse, completed in 1939, is one of several surviving Georgia courthouses built with New Deal funds. The courthouse, located in Ringgold, retains most of its original features that were designed by the Chattanooga architectural firm of William Crutchfield and Halbert G. Law.

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The Chickamauga Lodge No. 221, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliate, located just south of Chickamauga, was built as an African-American Masonic lodge by its members in 1924. The lodge was also the location for the chartering and meeting of the Walker County African-American VFW in the 1940s.

The Effingham County Jail, built in 1935 with Public Works Administration money, was designed by Savannah architect, Walter P. Marshall. The jail included living quarters for the jailer and his family on the first floor, and cells for prisoners on the second floor.

The Cox-Carlton Hotel, constructed in 1925 by the well-known architectural firm of Pringle and Smith, is located across from the Fox Theater in downtown Atlanta. The building was recently rehabilitated into a boutique hotel using preservation tax incentives.

The Boston Historic District, located 12 miles east of Thomasville in Thomas County, encompasses historic commercial, residential, industrial, and community landmark buildings that developed around the rail line when the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad tracks were laid in 1860.

Annual Report SFY 2007

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Georgia Heritage Grants

The Historic Preservation Division administers the Georgia Heritage Grant Program which offers matching grants on a statewide competitive basis to local governments and nonprofit organizations for the preservation of historic resources listed in the National and Georgia Registers of Historic Places.
Development projects include stabilization and rehabilitation activities, and predevelopment projects include the production of plans, construction documents and specifications.

In SFY 2007 - 10 Georgia Heritage Grants representing $102,353 were awarded:
Bacon: Old Bacon County Elementary School, Alma - $5,400 for a historic structure assessment report
Candler: Metter High School, Metter - $8,750 for window and portico repairs Catoosa: Catoosa County Courthouse, Ringgold - $11,550 for cupola, window
and gutter repairs Hancock: Camilla-Zack Country Life Center, Mayfield - $5,241 for a condition
assessment report Heard: Heard County Jail, Franklin - $10,000 for masonry, gutter and window
repairs Pike: Whiskey Bonding Barn, near Zebulon - $7,702 for floor repair and replacement Walker: Chatooga Academy, LaFayette - $8,750 for new roof and exterior repairs Walker: Chickamauga Masonic Lodge, Chickamauga - $20,000 for stabilization
and repair work to foundation, walls and windows Washington: Old City Cemetery, Sandersville - $18,000 for repair and stabilization
of walkways, markers and walls Whitfield: Hamilton House, Dalton - $6,960 for a historic structure assessment report
The Whiskey Bonding Barn, located near Zebulon in Pike County, received a 2007 Georgia Heritage grant of $7,702 for floor repair and replacement. The late 1800s barn has served the local community in a variety of uses, from whiskey making to cotton and poultry production. It is now owned by Pike Historic Preservation, Inc., which plans to use the barn as an event and photo gallery space.

Grants Coordinator Carole Moore
404-463-8434 carole.moore@dnr.state.ga.us

The Old Bacon County Elementary School in Alma, now owned by the Bacon County Commissioners, received a 2007 Georgia Heritage grant of $5,400 to produce a historic structure assessment report. Adaptive use plans for the school include conversion to a community cultural center, with a portion devoted to a senior citizens center.

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Preserve America Cemetery Grants

In SFY 2007 - 5 Preserve America Cemetery Grants representing $53,375 were awarded to:
City of Kennesaw, Cobb County - $10,250 for the Kennesaw City Cemetery to conduct a ground-penetrating radar survey and summary report of unmarked graves. City of Macon, Bibb County - $10,500 for the Linwood Cemetery to conduct a condition assessment report and preservation plan. City of Rome, Floyd County - $3,000 for the Myrtle Hill Cemetery for teacher curriculum development and training, and website development. City of Roswell, Fulton County - $10,000 for Methodist, Presbyterian & Founders cemeteries to conduct a condition assessment report, develop signage and produce a tourism brochure. City of Washington, Wilkes County - $19,625 for the School Street Cemetery for a survey, condition assessment, preservation plan, tourism plan and brochure.
The City of Macon was awarded $10,500 for a condition assessment report and preservation plan for the historic African American Linwood Cemetery, located in the city's Pleasant Hill neighborhood.
The City of Kennesaw was awarded $10,250
to conduct a groundpenetrating radar survey
and summary report of unmarked graves in
Kennesaw City Cemetery.

Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy the nation's cultural and natural heritage. As part of a larger $86,000 Preserve America grant that HPD received in 2006, five Preserve America communities in Georgia received $60,000 in federally funded matching sub-grants (50%/50%) to conduct historic cemetery projects. The projects began in January 2007 and will be completed by spring 2008. The remaining $26,000 was used to sponsor a wellattended statewide historic cemetery conference and to produce a cemetery publication in the fall of 2007. More information about the Preserve America program may be found at www.PreserveAmerica.gov.

Annual Report SFY 2007

Grants Coordinator Carole Moore
404-463-8434 carole.moore@dnr.state.ga.us
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Certified Local Governments

In SFY 2007-One community was designated a Certified Local Government: City of Forsyth
CLG Case Study: St. Marys

The Certified Local Government (CLG) program assists local governments with integrating historic preservation concerns into local planning decisions. This program is administered by the Historic Preservation Division through a contract with the Center for Community Design & Preservation at the University of Georgia, School of Environmental Design.
Technical and design assistance is provided to all CLGs including: design assistance for communities and historic property owners, daily networking opportunities through an ever-expanding electronic listserv and biannual training workshops for preservation commissioners and anyone else interested in learning how to protect their community.
Certified Local Government Coordinator -
Jennifer Martin Lewis 706/583-8047
jmlewis@uga.edu

Founded in 1792, St. Marys is one of America's oldest cities and has one of the oldest designated historic districts. In April 2007, it was the destination for the largest ever Georgia Historic Preservation Commission Training. Over 115 attendees participated in sessions covering preservation law, historic architecture and economic development. Historic Preservation Commissions are more successful when they understand their roles, responsibilities, and the laws under which they operate, while conveying a positive image. More importantly, welltrained members ensure that the local government is able to legally defend their decisions. In St. Marys, concerned Georgians learned how to enhance historic preservation activities in their community by exploring how preservation is paying off for this coastal jewel.
Training sessions began at the Fellowship Hall of the 1808 First Presbyterian Church. This historic church has the distinction of being the oldest building in Georgia that has been in continuous use as a church since its erection. Orange Hall provided a tangible example for training attendees of what a dedicated preservation effort can accomplish. The Orange Hall Foundation has just completed a historic structure report for this Greek Revival showpiece, which is providing the blueprint for its restoration and an interpretative history component. St. Marys is the ferry port for the Cumberland Island National Seashore. Settled by the Carnegie family in 1881, Cumberland Island became a national park in 1972. Plum Orchard, an 1898 Georgian Revival mansion built by Lucy Carnegie for her son George, was donated to the National Park Foundation by the Carnegie family in 1971. Training attendees were treated to a catered ferry ride to Cumberland and a private tour of Plum Orchard (above).

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Historic Preservation Fund Grants

In FFY 2007 - 8 Historic Preservation Fund Grants representing $67,749 were awarded to:
City of Augusta: $8,580 for Web-based downtown Augusta walking tour brochure City of Brunswick: $8,104 for historic resource surveys of Dixville & Windsor
Park neighborhoods City of Cartersville: $5,000 for downtown Cartersville walking tour brochure City of Gainesville: $15,000 for citywide historic resource survey, phase 2 City of Madison: $9,000 for citywide historic resource survey City of Thomasville: $6,465 for Glenwood Dr. neighborhood National Register
nomination City of Waynesboro: $9,600 for design guidelines City of West Point: $6,000 for three residential neighborhood National Register
nominations
Case Study: Hunt Education & Cultural Center brochure
The Henry Alexander Hunt High School, established in 1941, grew out of a series of African American schools that began at the turn of the nineteenth century. The gymnasium building was constructed in 1953-1954. In 1981, an alumni group formed a non-profit group, the Hunt Education & Cultural Center, which purchased the gymnasium from the local school system. Since that time, the center has made significant repairs to the building and hosted a variety of programs for the community's youth.

The Historic Preservation Division receives annual funding from the National Park Service (NPS) to carry out a statewide historic preservation program in participation with state and local governments, organizations, and the citizens of Georgia. Ten percent of the NPS funding is allotted for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) Grants that are awarded annually to Certified Local Governments on a competitive basis.
Eligible activities include: historic resource surveys preservation planning
activities & studies National Register
nominations educational activities
& publications archaeological surveys
and testing predevelopment plans
& specifications

As one of nine FFY 2006 grant recipients, the City of Ft. Valley was awarded $2,268 to help produce and print a brochure on the history and significance of the Hunt Education & Cultural Center. It is hoped that the information gathered for the brochure will be helpful as the Center pursues listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Grants Coordinator Carole Moore
404-463-8434 carole.moore@dnr.state.ga.us

Annual Report SFY 2007

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Architectural Technical Assistance

Architectural Technical Assistance provides informed consultation to property owners, governments, agencies, and organizations regarding the appropriate treatment of historic buildings and structures under their control. Historic Preservation Division Technical Services Unit staff make site visits to historic properties and buildings as part of this process.
During a site visit, a property is examined to identify historic characteristics and undergoes a visual condition assessment. Recommendations on appropriate methods for maintaining and repairing the properties are offered. This guidance is based on the Secretary of the Interior`s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Additionally, long-term preservation planning may be encouraged with suggestions for developing such plans.

Case Study: Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site
Completed in 1836, the Classical Revival style, two-story, Old Lumpkin County Courthouse was built by North Carolina builder Ephraim Clayton. It was given to the State of Georgia in 1966 and then renovated by the Georgia Historical Commission to serve in its present capacity. The Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site provides information, exhibits and historical documentation of the United States' first gold rush and related mining operations.

Technical assistance consultation was initiated in the summer of 2003 because of concern about the condition of the masonry walls, which had areas of cracking, spalling, bulging and sweating. While these problems were not of a structurally critical nature, recommendations were made to investigate their source so that appropriate remedies could be determined. In 2006, along with continuing technical assistance for brick repointing in the attic stairwell and portico deck waterproofing projects, site manager Angie Johnson received approval for a preservation plan.

With HPD's assistance in developing its scope, this professionally written plan is now in draft form and includes an assessment of the building's existing condition, recommended preservation projects, and other important information.

HPD's Bill Hover with site manager Angie Johnson.

Architectural Reviewer Bill Hover
phone 404/651-5288 william.hover@dnr.state.ga.us

HPD's consultation directly resulted in two recent preservationsensitive projects, a raised awareness and appreciation of appropriate preservation treatments by site management and a document that will provide essential information for the continued preservation and use of this significant historic resource.

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Preservation Tax Incentives

In Federal Fiscal Year 2006 (Oct. 1, 2005-September 30, 2006) Georgia ranked 7th in the nation for the number of approved completed rehabilitation projects eligible for the Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit. These projects accounted for over $65,000,000 in private investment for the preservation of historic properties.
Case Study: Porterdale Mill, Porterdale, Newton County
Porterdale Mill, located in Newton County, underwent substantial rehabilitation and successfully participated in both the federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit and the state Preferential Property Tax Assessment programs. The total amount invested was well over $20 million. The rehabilitation project began construction in May 2005 and received final certification in November 2006.
The mill buildings are contributing resources within the Porterdale Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The mill buildings, distinctive for their positioning over the dam and waterfall that were their power source, were originally constructed in 1899 by Bibb Manufacturing Co. As was typical in southern textile mill towns, everyone who lived in and around Porterdale during the 1930s and 1940s had some direct connection to the mill complex and its activities. At the height of its production, 2,500 people were employed in the mills. Today the mill complex is a successful mixed-use project, with retail, restaurant, residential and work space.
Porterdale Mill showing the south faade as seen from across the Yellow River.

The Historic Preservation Division administers federal and state tax incentives programs that encourage the adaptive use of neglected buildings, as well as stimulate economic growth and revitalization of historic neighborhoods and commercial areas.
The federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit provides owners of incomeproducing historic structures the opportunity to apply for a federal income tax credit equal to twenty percent of the rehabilitation cost.
The Georgia Preferential Property Tax Assessment Program for Rehabilitated Historic Property offers owners of both income-producing and residential historic properties the benefit of applying for an eight-year property tax assessment freeze.
The Georgia State Income Tax Credit Program for Rehabilitated Historic Property allows owners who complete a certified rehabilitation of a historic structure a state income tax credit equal to 10%, 15%, or 20% of the rehab cost to a maximum of $5,000 for any single project.
Tax Incentives Coordinator Ced Dolder
404-651-5566 ced.dolder@dnr.state.ga.us

Annual Report SFY 2007

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Historic Resources Survey

Knowing about historic properties through surveys is an essential first step in a community's preservation efforts and facilitates wise decisions about preserving individual buildings and neighborhoods. HPD's historic resources survey program coordinates the funding of local surveys through federal grants and state contracts with community sponsors.

In SFY 2007, Historic Resource Surveys were completed for:
Old Town Brunswick, phase 2, Glynn County Wrens, Jefferson County Gwinnett County, unincorporated Lumpkin County, unincorporated Paulding County Thomas County, unincorporated DeKalb County, southwest Yatesville, Upson County Waynesboro, Burke County
Case Study: Thomas County

The historic resources survey program, FindIt, is a successful partnership between HPD, the Georgia Transmission Corporation, and the University of Georgia's School of Environmental Design. The program trains UGA historic preservation graduate students to conduct fieldwork throughout the state, and enter the survey data into the NAHRGIS (Natural Archeological Historic Resource GIS) database.

Due to development pressures from Tallahassee, Thomas County was slated by HPD as a high priority for survey. During the summer of 2007, unincorporated Thomas County became a FindIt project area. This provided an excellent opportunity to expose graduate students enrolled in the University of Georgia's Master of Historic Preservation program to different architectural trends in south Georgia. Their survey work identified 274 unincorporated properties. With help from Thomasville Landmarks, Inc., FindIt will continue to add surveyed properties to the NAHRGIS database.

Survey Coordinator Kenneth Gibbs 404/651-6432
kenneth.gibbs@dnr.state.ga.us
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Many interesting agricultural outbuildings and commercial structures were surveyed in Thomas County.
Historic Preservation Division

African American Programs - GAAHPN

Case Study: 3rd GAAHPN Conference

In 2007, the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network (GAAHPN) hosted its third preservation conference. The theme of the conference was "What's New in the Old Neighborhood? A Toolbox for Historic Preservation." The conference was held in the Bethlehem and Laney-Walker Historic Districts in Augusta, and GAAHPN used these African American historic districts as case studies.
GAAHPN collaborated with Historic Augusta, the Central Savannah River Area Regional Development Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to plan conference sessions that explored local African American history, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, historic landmarks and other preservation issues. The conference was partially supported by a grant from the National Trust's African American Preservation Fund. Eighty-two participants attended the conference representing preservation organizations in Georgia and nine other states.
Shotgun houses are common throughout the residential sections of the Bethlehem and Laney-Walker Historic Districts in Augusta.

The goals of the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network (GAAHPN) are to increase awareness of African American heritage and to encourage the preservation of historic resources associated with black history.
The Historic Preservation Division African American programs coordinator provides staff support for GAAHPN's volunteer Steering Committee, produces the quarterly newsletter Reflections, and provides technical assistance to persons interested in preserving African American historic resources.

Penny Savings Bank is a community
landmark building in the Laney-Walker
Historic District. Its historic use was
a banking institution for African Americans. Today it is used for commercial purposes.
Annual Report SFY 2007

African American Programs Coordinator
Jeanne Cyriaque 404/656-4768
jeanne.cyriaque@dnr.state.ga.us
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Environmental Review

Case Study: Cockspur Island Lighthouse Beacon, Fort Pulaski National Monument

The environmental review program provides the planning framework for federal and state agencies to take into account the effects of their projects and actions on historic properties and archaeological sites.
The Historic Preservation Division assists federal and state agencies and local governments in complying with Section 106 and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Georgia Environmental Policy Act and the State Agency Historic Property Stewardship Program.
Environmental Review Coordinator
Elizabeth Shirk 404/651-6624 elizabeth.shirk@dnr.state.ga.us

The 1855 Cockspur Island Lighthouse was relit in March 2007, almost one hundred years after its light was extinguished in 1909. The lighthouse, located at the South Channel of the Savannah River, is one of five surviving historic lighthouses in Georgia. Owned by the National Park Service (NPS) since 1958, it is an important feature in the historic landscape of Fort Pulaski National Monument. Despite its prominent position, the lighthouse survived the April 1862 Union bombardment and 99% of the 46 foot-tall brick structure is original. However, the lantern, replaced in 2000, is a replica structure.

The NPS, partnering with the United States Coast Guard, proposed relighting the lantern to aid interpretation of this historic structure and understanding of the purpose and use of the beacon. Though the beacon was not reactivated as an active aid to navigation, the Coast Guard supported restoring the view shed with the installation of an interpretive light. The light is visible only from the south or US 80 side of the lighthouse and not from the sea or navigation side of the structure.

This action, which included installing a solar powered beacon light and batter-

ies within the replica lantern and mounting a small (12" x 12") solar panel on

the lantern roof, was subject to

compliance with Section 106 of

the National Historic Preservation

Act. Section 106 requires federal

agencies to take into account the

effects of their actions on historic

properties, both structural and

archaeological. HPD worked with

the NPS to ensure that the pro-

posed work did not physically

impact historic material and was

visually unobtrusive. This collab- A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter salutes the

oration resulted in a solution that newly relit Cockspur Island Lighthouse during

appeared consistent with the

the March 18, 2007 relighting ceremony.

Secretary of the Interior's

Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Furthermore, the benefit

was restoration of the historic view shed and landscape of the lighthouse as it

would have appeared during the beacon's working years. In addition, the part-

nership with the Coast Guard should enhance the protection of this resource,

which was announced as a 2008 "Places in Peril" by the Georgia Trust.

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Historic Preservation Division

State Stewardship Awards

Michael Miller (center) accepts the Governor's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation from HPD director Ray Luce (left) and DNR Board Chairman Jim Walters (right).
The 4th Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation Stewardship were presented on March 28, 2007 in Atlanta.
The Governor's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation was presented to Michael Miller, Project Manager, Board of Regents, University System of Georgia, for his dedication and significant commitment to the stewardship of the university system's historic properties. Mr. Miller led the Board of Regents' initiative that secured a grant from the Getty Foundation to develop a historic preservation plan template to be used by university campuses in their master planning updates.
The Governor's Award for Historic Preservation Stewardship recipients were: Dorothy Olson, Director, Georgia Capitol Museum and Tours, for her significant role in the ongoing rehabilitation and restoration of the Georgia Capitol.
Dr. Ronald Zaccari, President, Valdosta State University, for his leadership in planning for the future growth and development of the campus, specifically his commissioning of VSU's Campus Historic Preservation Plan & Related Studies.
Dr. George Wingblade, Director of Physical Plant, South Georgia College, for his work, as Director of Physical Plant, South Georgia College from 1996 until his retirement in 2006 to preserve campus facilities while creating and enhancing an environment that attracted and inspired students, faculty and staff.
Dr. Rowe Bowen, Section Chief for Cultural Resources, Office of Environment and Location, Georgia Department of Transportation, for his significant contributions to the conservation of Georgia's archaeological heritage on lands managed by the DNR.

As part of the State Agency Historic Property Stewardship Program, the Historic Preservation Division sponsors the State Stewardship Awards.
The honorees are public servants nominated by their colleagues and peers for their significant contributions in furthering the preservation of Georgia's historic properties.
The Governor's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation is awarded for outstanding leadership or achievement of regional or statewide impact in historic preservation stewardship of state-owned or administered properties.
The Governor's Awards for Historic Preservation Stewardship are awarded for significant leadership or achievement in historic preservation stewardship of state-owned or administered properties or projects.
HPD Contact Karen Anderson-Cordova
404/651-6461 karen.anderson-cordova@dnr.
state.ga.us

Annual Report SFY 2007

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Archaeology Protection & Education

Underwater Archaeology

Archaeology provides the only means of learning about 96% of Georgia's history, and our state is blessed with some of the most significant sites in the United States. The Archaeological Services Unit plays an important role in their stewardship through its Archaeology Protection and Education Program.

Deputy State Archaeologist-Underwater Chris McCabe undertook a joint project with the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography to survey archaeological sites on the western sides of barrier islands. The purpose of the study, which is funded by a Coastal Incentive Grant to the Skidaway Institute, is to assess the impact of natural erosion processes on important archaeological sites. Using a combination of Geographic Information System technology, survey-grade geographic positioning systems, historical maps and nautical charts, and on-the-ground inspection, McCabe and his Skidaway Institute partners visited 21 archaeological sites. A final report is under preparation.

The statewide Archaeology Protection and Education Program is organized around six themes, including DNR service, Section 106 compliance review, cemetery preservation, sponsored research, underwater archaeology, and education.
Archaeology Unit Coordinator Christine Neal
404/657-1367 christine.neal@dnr.state.ga.us

Education
The second season of the Georgia Archaeology Education Partnership between DNR and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History began in June 2007. More Spanish artifacts were found by Fernbank's volunteer crews at a site in Telfair County, but each of the European objects predated the lost Spanish mission of Santa Isabel de Utinahica. These results led Dennis Blanton, Fernbank Museum's Curator of Native American Archaeology, to surmise it's all but certain he was working on a site touched by very early Spanish explorers rather than a mission. Blanton believes those explorers could be Hernando de Soto, or an even earlier explorer who led the first attempt by the Spanish to establish a colony in today's southeastern United States a colony often sought but never found that of Lucas Vasquez de Aylln. "We uncovered artifacts that are incredibly rare-rare because they are associated with the period of Spanish exploration," Blanton said. "There are no archaeological sites zero that point to evidence of de Soto's spring 1540 passage across Georgia; there are also no sites that positively point to Aylln. That makes this a discovery of evidence unlike any found before."

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Historic Preservation Division

Such a discovery brings challenges to conventional wisdom about the routes of Spanish explorers. Before Fernbank's fieldwork, compelling archaeological evidence signaling the presence of Spanish explorers in this time and region had never been identified. As a result, Fernbank may be about to rewrite a portion of history through Blanton's research.
It's hard to imagine a more vivid example of why good stewardship of our archaeological sites is so important. These critically important sites exist only because the landowners have a strong conservation ethic. They took good care of their land and in the process, took good care of the archaeological sites buried in the land.

Sponsored Research
Several university-affiliated research projects on DNR-managed Sapelo Island resulted in significant findings. Dr. Nick Honerkamp (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga) led excavations at High Point on Sapelo Island's north end that resulted in the recovery of artifacts possibly associated with the French Sapelo Company's occupation in the late 1700s. On the east side of the island, research led by Norma Harris (the University of West Florida) further enhanced our knowledge of Bourbon Field, a multi-component site that ranges in occupation from circa 2,000 BC to the Spanish Contact period circa 1560s. On the west side of Sapelo Island, Dr. Victor Thompson (University of West Florida) surveyed archaeological sites on several hammocks, and found extremely rich deposits associated with the American Indian occupations. And just north of the Sapelo Shell Rings, Dr. Richard Jeffries (University of Kentucky) continued his research on what may well be the lost Spanish Mission of San Jose de Zapala.

Chris McCabe, Deputy State Archaeologist-Underwater in the field.
A Spanish button found at a site near Sapelo's Shell Rings.

These results and more will be presented at a conference on Sapelo, fall 2008. The conference proceedings will be captured in a special edition of Early Georgia, the journal of the Society for Georgia Archaeology, as well as in a website and poster series.

Annual Report SFY 2007

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Sonny Perdue, Governor Noel Holcomb, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources & State Historic Preservation Officer
Historic Preservation Division Staff
34 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 1600, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2316 www.gashpo.org phone: 404-656-2840, fax: 404-651-8739 staff e-mail addresses: firstname.lastname@dnr.state.ga.us

Director's Office: Ray Luce
Division Director & Deputy SHPO 404/651-5061 Vivian Pugh
Administrative Assistant 404/651-5177
Planning & Local Assistance Unit: Karen Anderson-Cordova
Unit Manager 404/651-6461 Melina Vasquez Historic Program Assistant 404/651-6452 Michelle Volkema Environmental Review Specialist 404/651-6546 Jacqueline Horlbeck Environmental Review Historian 404/651-6777 Elizabeth Shirk Environmental Review Coordinator 404/651-6624 Amanda Schraner Transportation Projects Coordinator 404/463-6687 Dean Baker Architectural Review Officer 404/657-1043 Jeanne Cyriaque African American Programs Coordinator 404/656-4768 Leigh Burns Community Planning Coordinator 404/651-5181 Jennifer Martin Lewis Certified Local Government Coordinator University of Georgia Founders' Garden House 325 Lumpkin Street Athens, GA 30602 tel. 706/583-8047 fax 706/583-0320 e-mail: jmlewis@arches.uga.edu

Archaeological Services Unit: David Crass
Unit Manager & State Archaeologist
404/656-9344 Christine Neal Archaeology Outreach Specialist 404/657-1367 Chris McCabe Deputy State Archaeologist,
Underwater 10 Ocean Science Circle
Savannah, GA 31411 tel. 912/598-3346 fax 912/598-2366 Jennifer Bedell Staff Archaeologist 404/657-1042 Robert Entorf
Review Archaeologist 404/651-6775 Ryan Kennedy
Review Archaeologist 404/651-6433
Technical Services Unit: Mary Ann Eaddy Unit Manager 404/651-5283 vacant
Tax Incentives Specialist 404/651-5567 Ced Dolder
Tax Incentives Coordinator 404/651-5566 Carole Moore
Grants Coordinator 404/463-8434 vacant
Preservation Architect 404/651-5287 William Hover
Architectural Reviewer 404/651-5288

Survey & National Register Unit: Richard Cloues Unit Manager & Deputy SHPO 404/651-5983 Lynn Speno
Survey & Register Specialist 404/651-5911 Kenneth Gibbs
Survey Coordinator 404/651-6432
Gretchen Brock National Register Coordinator
404/651-6782 Denise Messick National Register Historian 404/651-6033 Steven Moffson Architectural Historian 404/651-5906
Keith Hebert Historian
404/651-5568
Management & Information Unit:
vacant Unit Manager 404/651-5180 Jo Ann Jenkins Information Specialist 404/651-5176
vacant Administrative Operations
Coordinator 404/651-5178 Lois Johnson Budget Coordinator 404/651-5185 Jim Lockhart Photographer/ Computer Coordinator 404/651-6778 Helen Talley-McRae Public Information Coordinator 404/651-5268