heritage summer 2011

SUMMER 2011

achfonline.org

And the Preservation Award goes to...

Annual event honors the best in new and old construction

PAGE 6

A walk in timeHeritage Walks uncover hidden

stories of Athens’ neighborhoodsPAGE 10

One salacious scrapbookFinds in the archives expose life

at the Lucy Cobb InstitutePAGE 16

ATHENS-CLARKE HERITAGE FOUNDATION Fire Hall No. 2 489 Prince Avenue Athens, Georgia 30601 706-353-1801 fax 706-552-0753 e-mail: [email protected] Executive Director: Amy C. Kissane Welcome Center Director: Evelyn ReeceHands On Athens Administrator: John A. Kissane

MISSION To be a proactive force in developing community-wide understanding of the value of historic buildings, neighborhoods, and heritage.

VISION To become the leading advocate for the importance of historic preservation to the future of the Athens community.

ACHF 2011-2012 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tim Kelly, PresidentLisa Wilson Dore, President-elect/Education ChairChris Peterson, Treasurer/Finance ChairTony Stringer, Treasurer-elect Kyle Campbell, Recording SecretaryTom Wilfong, Parliamentarian Janet Patterson, Revolving Fund Liaison/Preservation Issues Chair

Lauren Bloodworth Bill Bracewell, Chair, Future PlanDavid Bryant Stephanie Crockatt Linda Davis Hope Iglehart John Knowlton

Michael Lachowski, Chair, CommunicationsCheri Leavy, Co-chair, Special EventsJan Levinson, Chair, MembershipJennifer Lewis, Past-president Bobbie McKeller, Chair, Athens Welcome CenterJennifer Messer, Chair, DevelopmentKeith Plummer

THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL HERITAGE SPONSORS

Corinthian Level ($5,000)R.E.M.

Ionic Level ($2,500)Barber Creek DesignGeorgia PowerTodd Emily|Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Doric Level ($1,500)Adams Transfer & StorageAurum Studios, Ltd.Carson Advisory, Inc.ETL Construction ServicesThe Sams Group

HERITAGE CREDITS Editor: Kristen MoralesCommunications Committee: Michael Lachowski (chair), Jennifer Lewis, Amy KissaneDesign: Eleonora Machado Heritage Newsletter Logo: Chris BilheimerCover photo: The Laucher-Murphy House, home of Tom and Donna Murphy of West Cloverhurst Avenue. The home won the Outstanding New Construction in a Historic Area award at the recent ACHF Preservation Awards.

CARSON ADVISORY INC.

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The University of Georgia has been in the news this summer, unfortunately because of proposals to demolish a his-toric 1939 dormitory, Rutherford Hall, and two late-19th century cottages on Waddell Street. UGA acquired the cot-tages (along with two others still being used) in 2000 when they purchased the Wray-Nicholson property from Athens-Clarke County for $2.3 million, after the county spent $4.4 million in SPLOST dollars to rehabilitate the buildings.

The foundation learned about these is-sues in late June and immediately alerted local news media and issued a statewide press release with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The foundation, UGA’s student Historic Preservation Organization and the National Trust for Historic Preservation all came out pub-licly against the Rutherford demolition.

To date, the university has said little to justify the demolitions. According to UGA representatives, they don’t have a use for the cottages and may need that property in the future, and they say Rutherford has outlived its usefulness and they’d like to replace it with a larg-er dorm with 100 more beds. Frankly, I think these decisions are beneath the university and a betrayal of the public trust and their own stated values. Here are a few reasons why:

•Upon sale of the Wray-Nicholson property to UGA at a loss of $2 million, then A-CC Mayor Doc Eldridge said, ‘’I think it’s the right thing to do. I think, too, when it was put on the

(SPLOST) referendum, it was put on as a historical preservation issue. That was the clear message…save the buildings, restore the house. I think the university will be a good steward. They have demonstrated over and over again their ability to maintain historic buildings.’’ •In 2010 President Adams established an Office of Sustainability. The Campus Sustainability Initiative states, “Preservation of historic structures is perhaps the most sustainable action the University can undertake.” •Many of the buildings on North Campus that have been renovated, including both Old and New College, were dinosaurs by today’s standards, but UGA was committed to their preservation, and did outstanding work.

These decisions to demolish the cot-tages and Rutherford are being made in the absence of a comprehensive and well-thought-out policy for the treat-ment of historic buildings on UGA’s campus. For years, UGA has resisted the mandate contained in the 1998 State Stewardship Act to produce a comprehensive preservation plan, de-spite the fact that it is home to one of only 28 graduate preservation programs in the country. It is hard to imagine an institution such as the University of Georgia “planning” to tear down sig-nificant historic buildings, but theircurrent piecemeal approach to historic buildings not located on north campus makes it easy to make mistakes.

fire hallfrom the

by Amy C. Kissane, Executive Director

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Before the 42nd Annual Preservation Awards Showcase on June 13, 2011, the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation members and trustees held their annual meeting to welcome new trustees to the Board,electnewofficers,andsaythankyou to those who finished their terms.Also, ACHF President Jennifer Lewis and Executive Director Amy Kissane gave an overview of the year’s accomplishments.

The Foundation then said thank you and goodbye to five trustees rolling off theboard: Amy Andrews, Caroline Turlington, Peggy Galis, Marti Schimmel and Jeff Bishop. Jennifer Messer, ACHF Trustee and Nominating Committee Chair, pre-sentedtheslateofofficersforthiscomingyear, which started July 1: Tim Kelly, president; Lisa Dore, president-elect; Chris Peterson, treasurer; Tony Stringer, treasurer-elect; Kyle Campbell, record-ing secretary; Janet Patterson, revolving fund liaison; and Tom Wilfong, parlia-mentarian. We are pleased to have the

following new Trustees joining the Board: Lauren Bloodworth, David Bryant, Kyle Campbell, Stephanie Crockatt, Linda Davis, John Knowlton, Cheri Leavy and Keith Plummer.

The Year in Review.For a look at the past year of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, visit www.achfonline.org, where you can get details on the Education committee, how ACHF is getting involved in community projects, membership and fundraising events and the efforts of Hands On Athens.

2011 Annual Meeting

From ACHF Executive Director, Amy Kissane: I want to express my thanks to the trustees, and, in particular, I want to thank the nine trustees who came on the board a year ago. We needed them to step up immediately and they did. Of the nine, one was an officer and six chaired committees, and the majority of them are continuing in the upcoming year as committee chairs. That is extraordinary, and it made all the difference. So, thank you and thanks to all the trustees who work so hard. When we say this is a “working board,” we’re not kidding.

It’s an interesting exercise to look back at the year because there are always things that you forget. Much of this past year has been about laying the groundwork—based on the 2010 stra-tegic plan—for future directions and initiatives. That’s hard work because the fruits of that labor don’t show immediately. So, I want to especially thank and compliment Jennifer Lewis, who steps down as president tonight, for her tireless—and I mean tireless efforts, in pursuing changes and im-provements that we’ve only begun to see the benefit of. Thank you, Jennifer.


And the award goes to …Winners at the 2011 ACHF Preservation Awards include:

Trustee of the Year Jan Levinson

Volunteers of the Year Alana Cole Faber

Rebecca Hager

2011 Preservation Awardsby Jennifer Lewis, Awards committee chair

Albert Dobbs Sams Patron’s Award Anita Sams Holton

Burke Hodgson

Outstanding Publication or Program Al Hester

“Enduring Legacy: Clarke County, Georgia’s Ex-Slave Legislators, Madison Davis and Alfred Richardson”

ACHF hosted the 42nd Annual Preservation Awards and its annual meeting on June 13 at the historic Fine Arts Theatre on the University of Georgia campus. Dr. David Saltz of the UGA Department of Film and Theatre Studies welcomed the crowd and described the condition of the theater before its resto-ration in 2009 — an effort which earned it a Preservation Award from ACHF in 2010.ACHF President Jennifer Lewis and Executive Director Amy Kissane then kicked off the annual meeting with an

overview of the year’s accomplishments. Each year ACHF recognizes property owners who have gone above and beyond incaring forandfixingup theirhistor-ic properties by giving out preservation awards for outstanding historic rehabili-tations, restorations, and stewardship. We also recognize outstanding new con-struction in historic areas (referred to as infill), outstanding publications andprograms, and more. Since 1967 the foundation has given out more than 300 awards at its annual spring meetings. Thanks to everyone who attended!


Excellence in Community Revitalization Brian Collantuno and Wesley RussoTransmetropolitan, 1550 Oglethorpe Avenue

Excellence in Community Revitalization Jimmy WilfongThe Ideal Building,815 W. Broad Street

Excellence in Community

Revitalization Seth Hendershot and

Chris GodfreyHendershots Coffee,

1560 Oglethorpe Avenue

Outstanding Stewardship

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Georgia Beta Chapter

Ross Crane House, 247 Pulaski Street


From do-it-yourself home rehabs to million-dollar restorations, the awards ceremony gives an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best preservation projects in town. This year, out of thirteen winners, not only did we showcase three white-columned mansions, but we also managed to tie in two spaces dedicated to what children want and need, four local providers of good eats, Greek life, Egyptian polytheism, pizza, basketball, and standing up to the Ku Klux Klan.

Outstanding Rehabilitation Awards UGA Office of University Architects and UGA Athletic AssociationStegeman Coliseum(Photo credit: Robbins Photography)

Outstanding Rehabilitation Awards Jessica Greene and Jay TottyTed’s Most Best, 254 W. Washington Street

Outstanding Rehabilitation Awards Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Delta Upsilon ChapterCharles Phinizy House, 397 S. Milledge Avenue

Outstanding Rehabilitation Awards Children First, Inc.,693 N. Pope Street

Outstanding Rehabilitation Awards UGA Office of University ArchitectsNew College, UGA campus


Individual care and respect for your historic building collectively benefits all of us by increasing our quality of life. Just like heirlooms and recipes that are handed down from generation to generation, buildings are physical manifestations of our culture that tell the story of who we are, and were. The Annual Preservation Awards gives the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation a chance to recognize our friends and neighbors that are helping to tell Athens’ stories by taking care of her buildings through deeds and words. Besides, it’s the best makeover show in town!

Outstanding New Construction in a Historic Area Lori Bork and Quint NewcomerBork-Newcomer House, 150 Pulaski Heights

Outstanding New Construction in a Historic AreaTom and Donna MurphyLaucher-Murphy House, 440 W. Cloverhurst Avenue

Outstanding Restoration Sarah and Chris PetersonHowell Cobb House, 698 N. Pope Street

...and 2012 awaits!Visit the awards website at achfonline.org/awards

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Recording historyGrant funds filming of 12 Athens Heritage Walks

Athens Heritage Walks were met with great enthusiasm when they debuted in Fall 2009 and possibly even greater excitement when they returned in Fall 2010. As the walks continued, however, one sentiment surfaced again and again: “When are you going to record these in-credible tours? They are wonderful and the tour guides’ stories must be captured onfilm!”InFebruarywelearnedofagrantopportunity through the Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board of Trustees, Athens Chapter, a group of high school students interested in helping support local history and preservation projects. We applied for money to assist in video-taping some of the Athens Heritage Walks and are thrilled to announce that we are a 2011 recipient of $6,000 from the Watson-Brown Foundation! These funds willenableustofilm12toursthisseasonand our intent is to film the remainingtours in 2013 and 2014. ACHF Trustees Peggy Galis and Janet Patterson have

given generous donations which will en-ableustofilmonemoretourandcreatean edited compilation video this year. Athens Video, a locally owned business for 25 years, has worked to develop a detailed concept of the production. The company is willing to invest time to be sure the videos capture the true spirit of thetours(andthatfilmingdoesnotdeterfrom the tour-goers’ experience!). And the archival community is excited about the project as well. The Heritage Room at the Athens-Clarke County Library and the University of Georgia’s Walter J. Brown Media Archives & Peabody Awards Collection will house the filmsfor future generations to learn from and enjoy. If you plan on attending an Athens Heritage Walk this year, thank you for taking part in this exciting project. And if you know of any individuals, groups, or companies that might be interested in helping fund future video projects, please let us know.

ABOVE: Shanon Hays, third from left, presents the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation with a check for $6,000 on behalf of the Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board to members (from left) Lisa Dore, Michele Griffin, Amy Andrews, Amy Kissane, and Cathy Wegel. The award will be used to film 12 of the Athens Heritage Walks tours this season, and Athens Video has signed on to ensure that these historic tours are properly filmed for generations to learn from and enjoy.

By Lisa Dore, President-elect/Education Chair

For more information on the 2011 tour series, visit

achfonline.org/heritage-walks

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Hear Athenian and retired local banker Gilbert Milner talk about the Milledge Avenue Historic District on Nov. 6. Above, the South Milledge Avenue home his family moved into when he was 12.

The old Reese Street School in Athens’ historic Reece Street neighborhood will be featured on an Athens Heritage Walks tour at 2 p.m. Nov. 13.

There is one sure way to get an insider’s perspective on certain historic neighborhoods around Athens — go on an Athens Heritage Walk. About a dozen walks are planned this fall, covering neighborhoods across

Athens that are rich in stories and flavor, as told by the people who know them best. The schedule changes from year to year and the tours fill quickly, so when you see a neighborhood you’re interested in learning more about, sign up fast.

To register for a tour or for more information, call 706-353-1801 or visit www.achfonline.org. Or, you can e-mail your request to [email protected]. Reservations are required and space is limited; tours are $12 for ACHF members, $15 for nonmembers and $10 each for a series of 10 or more.

University of Georgia’s North Campus and Jackson Street Cemetery with Nash Boney and Janine Duncan6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23

Pulaski Heights Historic Neighborhood with David Bryant6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13

Walking the Hill with John Knowlton and Lee Epting2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

Cobbham Historic District with Milton Leathers2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2

Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery with Al Hester10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

FootPrince – Historic Prince Avenue with Amy Andrews2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9

Dearing Street Historic District with Hubert McAlexander2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15

Downtown Athens with Hal Cofer and Jones Drury2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16

Oconee Hill Cemetery with Charlotte Marshall10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

North Oconee River Heritage Kayak Tour with Ben Emanuel and Janet Clark1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

Milledge Avenue Historic District with Gilbert Milner and Fran Thomas2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

Reese Street Historic District with Michael Thurmond2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13

Milledge Circle Historic District with John Waters2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Haunted History ToursGet in the spirit of Halloween by visiting Athens’ haunts7 p.m. Oct. 27, 28, 30 and 31 (Oct. 29 is the Georgia-Florida game)

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Athens native Alex Sams is chair of Clarke County’s Historic Preservation Commission, and also serves the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation as Special Events chairman. He recently coined the phrase ‘This is your Athens’ as a way to more closely tie the city with the mission of ACHF, so Heritage took some time to delve deeper into his thoughts on historic preservation. This Is Your Athens will be a regular feature in upcoming Heritage issues, highlighting ACHF members and their connection to historic preservation — and to Athens.

Name: Alex SamsAge: 46Profession: Owner of TheCarAgent.com; partner in The Seasons TownhomesInvolvement with ACHF: Chairman, Special Events committee.

How did you come to be involved with ACHF?

I’m not so sure I chose to be a part of the ACHF. It’s more like we chose each other. I practi-cally grew up thinking Prince Avenue was my driveway. My grandfather was always doing something for the Taylor-Grady House, the Lumpkin House, etc., and we owned a business on Prince, too. Someone once told me that my grandfather was preservation before preservation was cool. During my time on the Milledge Avenue Historic Designation Committee, Amy Kissane and Kathy Hoard suggested that I apply for the Historic Preservation Commission. Once on the com-mission, ACHF kept popping up on important issues. As I fell deeper into preservation, members of the ACHF were always around and I got to see their dedication. The members are interesting and I ALWAYS learn something new around them. I can’t not support the foundation. It pays back huge dividends to the value of Athens.

ABOVE: Alex Sams stands at the base of the old freight elevator in the Bottleworks building on Prince Avenue, which is an example of small details that, when preserved, tell a fascinating story of Athens’ history. Note the signature on the sign, which is Sams’ great-grandfather.Photo by Michael Lachowski

What Athens landmark sparks your passion for historic preservation?

I’m just as passionate about a small house off of Prince Avenue as I am about a large structure on Milledge or downtown. To me, it’s about preserving details of history (the small stuff). The old freight elevator at the Bottleworks is a great detail. I’m also very passionate about the PEOPLE who own and renovate historic homes. They are special.

You coined the phrase “This Is Your Athens” for this year’s Preservation Awards. How and why did you come up with it?

A couple of years ago, I became ill and edged death by only a few hours. Afterward, I started shedding the unimportant things, and ATHENS gained strength among my priorities. Athens has so many historic homes and buildings and they are shared with everyone. You need no membership to walk past these great homes and there are no “closed” signs. A person can enjoy historic homes on their own time, in their own way. Preservation benefits ev-eryone. People built the homes. People preserved and renovated the homes. People enjoy the homes. Athens is a living muse-um, so I just started preaching, “THIS IS YOUR ATHENS.”

Be a part of Athens by being a part of ACHFSince 1967, the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation has been the leading advocate for not only preserving the history in Athens, but also looking towards its future. There is value in keeping historic structures — not only as a historical resource, but also as a living, breathing landmark that gives back to the community with everyone who walks, bikes or drives by.

What does my membership do?It works on many levels. It provides funding for educational and community programs that happen throughout the year all around Athens, including programs in schools, classes for scout badges and the ever-popular series of Heritage Walks, which showcase different historic neighborhoods around town. Your membership dollars also support ongoing programs that are a part of the fabric of Athens, such as the Athens Welcome Center, Classic City Tours and Hands On Athens — all programs that also support the local economy while fostering neighborhood spirit.

How can I join?Turn to Page 23 (the inside back page) for a membership form, or visit ACHF online at www.achfonline.org.

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Spring Fun-n-Friends

Spring Fun-n-FriendsAT NUCI’S SPACE

Constructed as part of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in the late 1800s, the steeple is better known as the last remaining structure of the venue where R.E.M. hosted its first show in 1980.Now fallen into disrepair and threatened with demolition, historic preservation-ists, music fans, and others in the Athens community are now considering how to keep the steeple alive. It seemed only natural to host our Fun-n-Friends event at Nuci’s Space, the steeple’s clos-est neighbor and staunch advocate.

ACHF Director Amy Kissane welcomed the crowd, while Board President Jennifer Lewis framed the topic of dis-cussion and introduced speaker Bob Sleppy.

As the Director of Nuci’s Space, a non-profitsupport/resourcecenterdedicatedto promoting the emotional, physical and occupational well-being of the music community, Sleppy and his staff have an obvious connection to the local music scene that put Athens on the map. It seemed a sign of good fortune that the site chosen for Nuci’s Space in 1999 fell in the shadow of the steeple where R.E.M.’s career began. After providing a brief overview of the mission and work of the center, Sleppy spoke candidly about ongoing efforts to save the steeple and ideas for repurposing the structure.

Though to date this debate continues without resolution, Sleppy and others in the community continue to work to-ward a solution that would preserve the steeple.

By the close of the talk, there was an en-ergy running through the crowd. Many seemed to leave the event with a renewed commitment to preservation. Sleppy mingled with attendees, answering lingering questions and discussing the history of Nuci’s building – the former home of Carty electric motor repair shop, which still proudly showcases a few remnants from its former life. Attendees chatted and browsed the informational panels on display detailing the longer history of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.

ACHF would like to extend tremendous thanks to Bob Sleppy and his staff for providing the venue, speaker, and bartender for the event. Thanks also to board member Amy Andrews for compil-ing historical information for the panels on display, and to the members of the Membership Committee for their hard work on setup and cleanup duties.

The Fall Fun-n-Friends event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the First A.M.E. Church, 521 N. Hull St., Athens. For more information, visit www.achfonline.org.

How does a community weigh the value of a local landmark in danger of destruction? On May 5 the Athens Clarke Heritage Foundation invited members and friends to consider this question at the 2011 Spring Fun-n-Friends event hosted at Nuci’s Space. The landmark in question: the steeple.


LEFT: Bob Sleppy, director of Nuci’s Space, talks to the crowd at ACHF’s Spring Fun-n-Friends event, which took place at the venue in the shadow of the historic St. Mary’s steeple.

BOTTOM: ACHF members Susan Field and Jane Travis help set up before the Spring Fun-n-Friends event at Nuci’s Space. The event tackled the discussion of preserving the historic steeple where R.E.M. played its first show.

Spring Fun-n-Friends


We have all heard the expression, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” What do you do when you find some trash — er, treasure — taking up valuable space in your attic or basement? Why, take it to the local heritage foundation, of course!

Local history organizations frequently serve as a repository for anything deemed “old” or “antique,” and the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation has been no exception. For the past few months, I have had the pleasure of helping ACHF sort through various items donated over the years. The ultimate goal is to find amore suitable home for those objects that donot support thefoundation’s mission. While digging through donations, I have discovered a variety of objects, from old manuscripts and tintypes to fragments of stained glass. These items are by no means trash — many of them have much to

teach us about history.

One of the most intriguing objects I have encountered is a scrapbook assembled by a Miss Mildred Harris (later Dunlap), a student at the Lucy Cobb Institute from around 1919 to 1921. The scrapbook contains some of the highlights of Miss Harris’ young womanhood as well as various newspaper clippings and poetry that caught her interest. Miss Harris enters Lucy Cobb Institute as an innocent connoisseur of chewing gum, having pasted several different brands of wrappers onto the pages of her book, and emerges a grown woman concerned with issues like marriage and career. She and her classmates indulge in witty correspondence as well as romantic daydreaming, acting out dramatic scenes and photographing them.

Lessons learned from others’ castoffsRediscovering historyBy Alana Cole Faber


The book contains numerous poems and songs, both handwritten and clipped from media, such as this popular camp song:

As I was walking down the street a bill-board met my eyeThe advertisements written there would make you laugh and cry

The wind and rain had washed one half of that bill-board awayBut the half remaining there would make that bill-board say

Come smoke a Coca-Cola drink tomato-ketchup cigarettesWatch Lillian Russel wrestle with a box of Oysterettes…

Miss Harris appeared to have dreams of

marriage, carefully pasting numerous

wedding announcements and invitations

in her book. Near one announcement, she

pasted a copy of “The Maiden’s Prayer,”

which pleaded, “Send me a man that is

just awfully nice, and let him whisper

those three little words to me, and place

adiamondonmyfingerthatwillbethe

envy of every girl who hasn’t one.” Even

though Miss Harris did not marry until

1930, it seems she was well loved in her

school days. Pages following this prayer

include numerous love letters, in which

the young woman is referred to as “good

looking” and “a Georgia Beauty.” The

written courtships in the scrapbook

are not entirely unlike those that occur

today, although of course these days

suchflirtationstakeplaceviaemail,text

message, and Facebook.

Perhaps the most interesting part of

the scrapbook, the one that provided

the most insight into a young Georgia

woman’s life circa 1920, came in a series

of correspondence regarding a shocking

decision made by Miss Harris: to have

her hair cut in a bob. This act caused a

scandal among family and friends, and

several notes and letters in the scrapbook

refer to the event. One note reads, “Think

Mildred Harris is a perfectly wonderful

looking kid but why in the devil she cut

her hair I can’t say… Women do anything

now y’know.” And just like that, I was

reminded how lucky I am to be a woman

living in the 21st century.

ItisthegoalofACHFtofindahomefor

these objects in a local library or archive,

where more appropriate care can be

provided. We want to ensure that objects

from our past are preserved so that, in

another 80 or 100 years, someone else

can rediscover these pieces of Athens

history and in so doing perhaps better

understand the present.

As much as I have enjoyed working with

the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation,

life is now taking me far, far away (to

Hawaii) and on to other projects. But

there is still more work to be done here. If

anyone with a background in museums,

libraries, or archives is interested in

volunteering for this or related projects

at ACHF, please contact Amy Kissane at

[email protected].


The paperwork is in and the process is underway.

After a couple years, several neighbor-hood meetings and hundreds of flyersand pamphlets spread door-to-door, the application for the Buena Vista Heights neighborhood to be a local historic district has been sibmitted to the Athens-Clarke Planning Department, undergoing revisions before a vote by the Historic Preservation Commission.

The grassroots effort among about a dozen dedicated homeowners in this “little sister” section of the Boulevard neighborhood began in earnest once theUniversityofGeorgiafinalizedplansfor its new Health Sciences Complex in the former Navy School. The neighbor-hood is located along the upper end of Boulevard, between Prince Avenue and the CSX railroad tracks and from Park Avenue to Pound Street.

And with more commercial interest com-ing to the Normaltown area, residents wanted to be sure the character of Buena Vista’s smaller mill homes and quirky, vernacular architectural styles would continue for generations to come.

The neighborhood is a mix of longtime residents and young families, plus lots of college-age residents (60 percent of the neighborhood is landlord-owned). Many residents say they want the local

historic district designation because of new developmental pressures coming from the UGA property across the street, plus more than a dozen historic homes havebeenlostinrecentyearsduetoinfilldevelopment.

After raising the money for a professional survey of the neighborhood, residents compiledthefinalreportandsubmittedthe local historic district application in early June. Now, residents are gearing upforthefinalstepsintheprocess.

In the meantime, residents are keeping their fingers crossed, continuing to godoor-to-door to make sure everyone is aware of the process, and enjoying the buzz of activity around Normaltown.

BUENA VISTA HEIGHTSPerhaps Athens’ next local historic district?

Editor’s note: Kristen Morales, a resident of Buena Vista Heights and a freelance writer, editor and newspaper designer, is now serving as editor for Heritage.

By Kristen Morales

An 1874 map of Buena Vista Heights shows its early street grids in a section of Athens called “Buena Vista Farm,” located across Prince Avenue from the former “Univer-sity High School.” The zig-zag line at left, extending upward from Prince Avenue, is the former city limits and today is Park Avenue.

ABOVE: One of the many examples of “ver-nacular” architecture found in the Buena Vista

Heights neighborhood. Many of the homes have wood siding and wide front porches, with their

architecture influenced by the old cotton mill on the north side of the nearby railroad tracks.


Calling all preservationists, environmentalists, do-it-yourself-ers, bikers, teachers, scouts, and parents!

Education Committee

August marks the debut of “Preservation Matters,” a (new!) series that will annually consist of a lecture, hands-on-workshop, symposium, and a tour. (Themes will change but the format will not.) Sustainability is a popular buzzword and you’ve probably heard the rumor: The greenest house is the one already built. This year the ACHF is going to connect the dots through the Preservation Matters theme “Historic Preservation — Inherently Green,” showcasing experts who will help you save money and the environment through better understanding how your historic home works.

Mark C. McDonald, president and CEO of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, will deliver the series’ firstlectureat6p.m.onAug.29attheMelting Point, where he will discuss the interrelatedness of historic preservation and sustainability. In October we’ll offer a tutorial on how best to improve your older home’s energy efficiency andprovide an opportunity to participate in a hands-on historic windows workshop. February’s symposium will focus on large-scale redevelopment projects and their sustainability implications, and in May we will offer a green bike tour. The committee also is busily planning a heritage education curriculum, “My Home, My Town, My World,” to be presented to fourth-grade ACC classes in April 2012. The program will explain the importance of preserving cultural resources by helping students

understand the house as a home, various house styles, Athens and city planning, and discussing national and international places and landmarks and how these relate to architectural styles in the community. Last but not least, the Scouts are back! Fall and spring Scout Days will teach Brownies, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts about historic preservation and local history. The firstScouts day is Sept. 24. We hope you’ll join us throughout this exciting year of programming.

Phew! It’s only August and the Education Committee already has a full line-up of exciting events planned for 2011-2012.

By Lisa Dore, Education Committee Chair

Preservation Matters

2011-2012 Events

Monday, August 29, 2011: LectureHistoric Preservation and Sustainability, Mark C. McDonald

Saturday, October 15, 2011: WorkshopEnergyEfficientStrategiesforthe Historic Home & Hands-On Window Workshop Saturday, February 4, 2012: SymposiumSOUTHERN MILLS:Economically Smart | Socially Responsible Saturday, May 5, 2012: TourGreen Bike Tour


Volunteer Opportunities

Summer at the Athens Welcome Center and Church-Waddel-Brumby House Museum was off to a great start with a Patron Celebration honoring those who made completion of our “First-Floor-First” Fundraising Campaign possible. Over several years, patrons have honored their commitment to the CWB House Museum by donating funds and beautiful pieces to completeourfirstfloorinteriorsplan.

The CWB House Restoration Committee continues to look ahead with work on the secondfloorfinishesthroughfundingfromthe Watson-Brown Foundation. Artist Derek Tickle of the United Kingdom will return this fall to restore grain painting discovered by architectural conservator George Fore. We warmly invite you to stop by, see our progress and help us welcome an Athens’ visitor or two!In the coming months, we will unveil a very special gift to the house, something new — yet old to the Brumby House — awaits us, so please stay tuned!

The Athens Welcome Center Gift Shop continues to add locally made items and is now exhibiting works by local artist Peter Loose in its Over-the-Mantel Art se-ries. Previously featured artists included Jamie Calkin, CHUB, cap man, and John

Moon. Please stop by to see Pete’s paint-ings of his beloved dog Bongo. Remember that we are THE source for local litera-ture, music, and hand-crafted items such as local honey.

During AthFest, Classic City Tours de-buted its revamped Music History Tour. Local raconteur Paul Butchart brought Athens Music History to life with an in-depth walk through downtown complete with special insider stops at the Georgia Theatreandtheveryfirst40WattClub.Stop by to pick up the newest edition of the Music History Tour booklet or download it at our website: www.athen-welcomecenter.com. Remember to bring your Athens’ visitors to us — Let us help you show them around with up-to-the minute event information and an array of fabulous tours of our city.

We invite YOU to volunteer at the Athens Welcome Center! Enjoy a fun opportunity to meet people from all over the world and help them make the most of their visit to Athens. Volunteer openings are avail-able for the 1-4 p.m. shifts on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Contact Evelyn Reece at 706-353-1820 or [email protected] to learn more about this fun opportunity in a beautiful setting.

ATHENS WELCOME CENTER UPDATEby Evelyn Reece, Director

Photo courtesy Don NelsonVolunteers celebrate the completion of the “First-Floor-First” fundraising campaign at

the Church-Waddel-Brumby House Museum. Work on the second floor has now started.


Volunteer Opportunities

It’s a house HOA worked on a few years ago, a wonderful late-19th century dwell-ing owned by 89-year-old Fannie Jordan, whose grandparents built the house around 1890.

A few months ago, Ms. Jordan noticed cracks in the concrete porch floor thathad been installed in the early 1990s. Soon enough, several sections of concrete began dropping and the entire porch ap-peared about to collapse. Ms. Jordan abandoned her favorite porch swing and confinedherselftoasmallchairrightbe-side her front door, and eventually kept off the porch altogether.

HOA was contacted to evaluate the situ-ation and determined it would be best to remove the concrete, rotted wood fram-ing and sheathing and install a new wood deck in keeping with the age and design of the house. The first step was

bracing the porch roof, work carried out by local contractor and regular HOA vol-unteer Tosh Lickliter. This allowed other volunteers and several of Ms. Jordan’s family members to safely demolish the concrete slab and prepare the porch for a new deck, work that will be headed up by Lickliter and HOA regular Scott Messer. Ms Jordan also needed repairs to her back door, which she is temporarily us-ing to come and go, and this work was completed by Jeff Linscott, yet another frequent HOA volunteer.

The materials for this project are not too costly, but the labor required to get every-thing done was far more than Ms. Jordan could afford. So thanks to several gener-ous Hands On Athens volunteers, some essential work in a historic Athens neigh-borhood is accomplished. Take a look next time you’re walking or driving along West Hancock.

HANDS on ATHENSby John Kissane, HOA Administrator

Hands On Athens is venturing into new territory in a familiar neighborhood this summer, as several HOA volunteers are undertaking an emergency porch repair project at 650 West Hancock Avenue in the Reese Street Historic District.

When wooden supporting members un-der the early 1990s concrete floor began to rot, alarming cracks appeared on the porch at 650 West Hancock Ave. Hands On Athens was called to shore it up.

Volunteers with Hands On Athens stand in front of the porch after a work session.


DAY DATE NAME PLACEAugust-November Athens Heritage Walks See the tour schedule on Page 10Monday Aug. 29 PRESERVATION MATTERS: Lecture, Melting Point, Foundry Park Inn “Historic Preservation and Sustainability,” See Page 19 Mark C. McDonald Wednesday Sept. 14 Fall Fun-n-Friends First A.M.E. ChurchSaturday Sept. 24 Fall Scout Days - Heritage Badge Old Fire Hall No. 2Friday Sept. 30 Benefit Concert for ACHF Little Kings Club featuring Local Bands Sept. 30 2011 Membership Renewals DueSaturday Oct. 8 Hands On Athens fall event (TBD)Saturday Oct, 15 Georgia Chapter AIA: Legacy Charrette (TBD)Saturday Oct. 15 PRESERVATION MATTERS: Workshop, (TBD) See Page 19 Energy Efficient Strategies for the Historic Home & Hands-On Window Workshop Thursday Nov. 3 2nd Annual Downtown Athens Pub CrawlSunday Dec. 4 Holiday Party and Tour (TBD)Saturday Dec. 10 Athens Historic House Museum Association: Holiday Spirits TourMonday Jan. 16 Hands On Athens MLK Holiday February African American History Tours February 4th Grade Heritage Education Outreach Program: My Home, My Town, My WorldSaturday Feb. 4 PRESERVATION MATTERS: Symposium, (TBD) See Page 19 Southern Mills: Economically Smart | Socially Responsible

Athenaeum Club Events: Check Facebook or send e-mail to [email protected] for summer and fall dates.

FA

LL

Membership RatesAll members receive the Basic Membership Package including: free admission to Athenaeum Club and other membership events; discounts on tours, events, and rentals of Fire Hall No. 2; the Heritage newsletter; and much more.

I would like to become a member at the following level:

I would like to increase my support by joining at a higher level:

$100 Sustainer

$250 Donor [Basic package plus a 10% discount at

the Athens Welcome Center Gift Shop]

$500 Supporter [Above plus two Classic City Tours tickets;

one ticket to Heritage Holiday Gala]

$1000 Patron [Above plus two tickets to Heritage

Holiday Gala]

$2,500 Preserver [Basic plus 10% discount at Welcome

Center Gift Shop; four Classic City Tours tickets & four Heritage Gala tickets]

Thank you for Protecting the Past for the Future.

$30 Student $50 Individual $75 Family

Looking to volunteer?Check here if you would like to talk to someone at ACHF about volunteer opportunities such as membership, special events, education, tours, Hands On Athens, preservation awards, PR/marketing, fundraising, newsletter, mailings, etc.

These programs depend on your support… thank you.

Community EngagementAthens High & Industrial School MarkerBen Epps Commemorative StatueBuena Vista Local Historic District Initiative

Navy Supply Corps School Transfer

Heritage EducationAthens Area Realtors WorkshopsAthens Heritage Walks Guided ToursHeritage NewsletterHistoric Property Owners WorkshopsLocal Lore Girl Scout Badge

Tour of HomesHistoric Properties and MuseumsAthens Historic House Museum Association

Church-Waddel-Brumby House MuseumHistoric Fire Hall No. 2Ware-Lyndon House Museum

Membership EventsAthenaeum ClubFun-n-FriendsHeritage Holiday GalaAnnual Meeting

Ongoing ProgramsAthens Welcome CenterClassic City ToursFaçade EasementsHands On AthensHistoric Preservation Revolving FundAnnual Historic Preservation Awards

To join, complete the following information and return with payment to:

ACHF, 489 Prince Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601Name Address E-mail Phone

Payment Type: Enclosed Check Credit Card

Card number Expiration Date

Name on Card

Contact us at 706-353-1801 or [email protected]

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heritage summer 2011

Documents

athens community

athens administrator

michael lachowski chair

athensclarke county

prince avenue athens

historic area award

value of historic buildings

georgia trust