Heritage Spring 2011

SPRING 2011

Hands On Athens 2011

Volunteer Weekend PAGE 19

Athens Heritage Walks

From Across the Tracks to Down the River PAGE 10

Preservation Awards

Call for Nominations PAGE 4

achfonline.org

ATHENS-CLARKE HERITAGE FOUNDATION Fire Hall No. 2 489 Prince Avenue Athens, Georgia 30601 706-353-1801 fax 706-552-0753 e-mail: achf@bellsouth.net www.achfonline.org Executive Director: Amy C. Kissane Welcome Center Director: Evelyn Reece Hands 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 2010-2011 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jennifer Lewis, President Tim Kelly, President-elect Chris Peterson, Treasurer/Treasurer-elect Caroline Turlington, Recording Secretary Marti Schimmel, Revolving Fund Liaison Hope Iglehart, Parliamentarian Amy Andrews Jeff Bishop Bill Bracewell Lisa Wilson Dore Peggy Galis Michael Lachowski

Jan Levinson Bobbie McKeller Jennifer Messer Janet Patterson Tony Stringer Tom Wilfong

HERITAGE CREDITS Editors: Tom Wilfong, Amy Kissane, Jennifer Lewis Communications Committee Chair: Michael Lachowski Design: Eleonora Machado Heritage Newsletter Logo: Chris Bilheimer Cover: Rinne Allen and Lee Smith’s Pulaski Heights home was graciously opened for tours during the Athens Heritage Walks to view former owner John Linley’s terraced gardens.

THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL CORPORATE SPONSORS

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Adams Transfer & Storage, Aurum Studios, Ltd., Carson Advisory, Inc., ETL Construction Services, The Sams Group, Todd Emily|Edward Jones Investments.

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fire hall from the

by Amy C. Kissane, Executive Director Inspiration kudos to my husband, John, for providing me with the idea for this column, the first after a long lapse in newsletter publications. (Thank you to communications committee chair Michael Lachowski and board president Jennifer Lewis for getting us back on track.)

John’s idea for my column was to write about our dog Zoe. Now, John usually has really good ideas, so I KNEW there had to be more to the suggestion than it appeared at first glance. Zoe, pet, walks, food, fleas, walks, food, food, dog…hmm, dog. Man’s best friend.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND. Is historic preservation man’s best friend?

Ten years into the 21st century, I think a case can be made. Some of the biggest problems facing humankind are environmental—from global warming to resource depletion to the inordinate amounts of refuse we produce. Preserving and reusing existing buildings helps stave off these onward-marching plagues. And, while preservation is concerned with products of our past, it is decidedly not stuck in the past.

One of the hottest current movements is the “green” movement and the issue of sustainability, basically aimed at reducing energy consumption and thus reducing our “carbon footprints.” The National Trust for Historic Preservation jumped on this bandwagon early to HE RI T A GE

ensure that historic buildings would not be summarily dismissed as having outlived their usefulness because of a lack of energy efficiency. The Trust has, in fact, worked hard to dismiss the myths about energy efficiency in historic buildings and to advance the facts behind the saying, “The greenest building is the one that is already built.” According to information from the Trust’s Preservation Green Lab, “over 40 percent of the nation’s carbon emissions come from the construction and operation of buildings, which makes reusing and improving the energy efficiency of older and historic buildings an essential part of a sustainable future.” For more information on the Trust’s efforts, visit www.preservationnation.org/issues/ sustainability/.

In August, ACHF will kick off its own educational series about historic preservation and how to “green” your historic home. So, stay tuned.

Preservation as man’s best friend?

Maybe not so far-fetched after all.

Thanks, Zoe.

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2011 Preservation Awards:

Call for Nominations

Have you noticed an outstanding building makeover in your neighborhood? Are you proud of the blood, sweat, and tears you’ve put into your historic home? We want to hear about it!

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Annually, the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation recognizes outstanding projects in our community in the following categories: Rehabilitation, Restoration, New Construction, Stewardship, Publications, and more. The winners will be showcased at the 42nd Annual Preservation Awards and Annual Meeting June 13, 2011/University of Georgia’s Fine Arts Theatre on Baldwin Street [Note that Awards Ceremony date has changed!].

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Eligible projects are those that have occurred between June 2010 and June 2011, or, in the case of multi-year building projects, will be completed

by June 1, 2011. To nominate a project, visit our Preservation Awards website at www.achfonline.org/awards and complete a quick online form or download a full nomination form to complete and return via fax or mail. Please provide as much information about the project as you can – especially pictures!

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Deadline for nominations is Friday, April 29, 2011.

QUESTIONS? Contact Amy Kissane at 706-353-1801 or achf@bellsouth.net Nomination forms, award category descriptions, and photos of past winners at: www.achfonline.org/awards

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1. 2010 Community Revitalization Award to the Handmade Garden Project | Pope Street at Hill First Baptist Church 2. 2010 Outstanding Rehabilitation Award to Adrian Prelipceanu | Active Climbing, 665 Barber Street 3. 2010 Outstanding Rehabilitation Award to UGA Real Estate Foundation | Interim Medical Partnership Building, 279 Williams Street 4. 2010 Outstanding Rehabilitation Award to Chris Peterson | Urban Sanctuary Spa, 815 N. Chase Street 5. 2010 Outstanding Rehabilitation Award to the Athens Land Trust | ALT Headquarters, 685 N. Pope Street

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report president’s

by Jennifer Lewis, President, ACHF Board of Trustees As this newsletter reaches you, we in Athens are reveling in the beginning of Spring – a season of renewal, rediscovery… and makeovers!

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For more information on the 2010 tour series, visit achfonline.org/heritage-walks

Walking

History’s Path

ds Han

by Amy Andrews

ABOVE: Tour guide Charlotte Marshall explains the use of the term “relict” (a widow) on the tombstone of Sarah Key, buried in the 1856 Oconee Hill Cemetery. The cemetery is one of

and sites in Athens, recently concluded another successful year with twenty-five tours of fourteen different sites.

a specific expertise on the particular site.

Each donated his or her time and knowledge to lead the tours. The tours were limited to twenty-five participants, and the small size allowed a unique camaraderie to develop. Many of the tours ended with a reception at the tour guide’s or a neighbor’s home, which further heightened the tour experience. Judith DeJoy, who participated in several tours, aptly captured the experience:

This is the second year of the tour seards ries, was developed in 2009 as a wwhich A Athens’ designation ions tion wayinofatcelebrating of the 42009 “Dozen Distinctive erva for Noasmone GE

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PA Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation created the tours to showcase the diverse historic character of Athens and to highlight the impact that historic preservation has in making Athens a special place. The tour series was so popular that ACHF decided to continue the series in 2010, adding new sites but also bringing back a few of the tours from the first year.

“I do believe that the ACHF Heritage Walks program is especially creative and well-executed. In addition, it provides for an enrichment historic preservation experience that illuminates the living history behind the buildings, streets and backyards—and humanizes the mission of historic preservation.”

The tours offer an intimate group experience with a truly exceptional tour guide.

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The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation has undergone a bit of a makeover.

Thanks to our newly formed Communications committee – especially Chair Michael Lachowski, designer Eleonora Machado, and sponsor Robb West at Barber Creek Design! – we have revamped and updated our logo, redesigned the long-dormant newsletter, and will soon unveil a new website that will feature more timely news stories, resources for historic homeowners, and a Google calendar that members can merge with their own. We are looking GOOD! Our new website will allow us to more easily update our members on the great work Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation is involved in. From the social, happy-hour gatherings of the HE RI T A GE

LEFT: A train passes over the trestle, juxtaposed with a tiny kayaker below during the North Oconee River Heritage Tour.

BELOW: Bob Skarda shows tour goers a historic photo of the warehouse at Scull Shoals, which stands behind him in ruins. The Scull Shoals village in northwest Greene County was once a thriving mill town in the 1800s, but floods, drought, and a depression caused the town to be abandoned by 1900.

11 s 20 end ek Athen eer We GE 19 On Vo lunt PA

the most beautiful in the Georgia, with its majestic monuments, park-like appearance, rolling alks Whills, and river. It is the final resting place for many local, state, and national leaders. ks itage e Tracve r s Her ross ththeAthens Ri Heritage Walks, a series of guided Each of the guides is a well-known per10 wn walking tours of historic neighborhoods sonality in the Athens community, with Athen From Ac PAGE to Do

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BELOW: Tour goers stop in front of Fire Hall Number 2, the oldest fire hall in Athens, built in 1901, on their walking tour of Prince Avenue. The fire hall serves as the headquarters of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, the non-profit organization that sponsored the Athens Heritage Walks tour series.

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One of the tours that inspired her comment was of Pulaski Heights—a 1900s working-class neighborhood of modest homes and early industry on the northwest side of downtown. David Bryant, assistant director of the UGA Sea Grant Program and a long-time resident of that area, led the tour. In addition to learning about the distinguishing characteristics of the various architectural styles in the neighborhood, tour goers were educated on the historical significance of the rail lines that dissect the area; visited the former Southern Cotton Oil Company refinery, now the studio of Stan Mullins, a painter and sculptor; learned of the existence of an underground restaurant whose chefs were recently featured on “The Cooking Channel”; took a tour of architect Lori Bork’s very contemporary home, which incorporates architectural elements designed to maintain the character of the historic neighborhood and was built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards; and visited a former turn-of-the century bakery where Coleman Barks worked on his now-famous translations of the thirteenth-century Persian mystic, Rumi.

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The tours proved popular with ACHF members and non-members alike, with over half of the reservations made by the latter group, thus introducing a new audience to the history of Athens and the role that historic preservation plays in maintaining our town’s character.

ACHF would like to extend its sincere appreciation to all of the tour guides who shared their passion and knowledge and provided truly memorable tours: Buck and Diane Adams, Jim Barrow, David Bryant, Janet Clark, David Hally, Maxine Easom, Ben Emanuel, Lee Epting, John Knowlton, Milton Leathers, Charlotte Marshall, Hubert McAlexander, Bob Skarda, and John Waters. |

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Athenaeum Club, to our educational programs and tours, to our advocacy efforts for historic neighborhoods, our staff, Trustees, and volunteers are tireless in their efforts to showcase and protect our special places. Bring a friend to our next event and rediscover Athens as it was, and can be.

And speaking of renewals, is your ACHF membership up to date? Not only does your membership sustain our organization and mission, it ensures your invitation to many of our exclusive events – some for free! If your membership lapsed in September, contact Amy Kissane at 706-353-1801 today. Don’t let this first new newsletter be your last!

We look forward to seeing you soon! |

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Holly-Days Recap On Sunday, December 13, 2010, Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation members and their guests gathered for Holly-Days on Henderson. Attended by close to 200 people, temperatures fell into the teens but guests were warmly greeted by Peggy Galis, full of good cheer out on the street in her quilted coat, as they found their way to one of four featured historic homes. Peggy and Denny Galis opened up their mid-1800s residence at 277 Henderson as well as the c.1890 Queen Anne Free Classic home at 229 Henderson. Joan and Gary Bertsch welcomed everyone once again to their c.1890 Folk Victorian Cottage at 228 Henderson. New members, Jennifer McDowell and Brett Clementz, endeared themselves to all by hosting us at their stunning, 1920s Craftsman bungalow at 279 Henderson Avenue, for which the Athens Garden Club kindly donated floral arrangements.

Local restaurants and caterers provided an elaborate spread of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and Marti’s at Midday prepared a sumptuous, traditional southern supper. Each of the houses also featured beer and wine as well as a full bar and specialty cocktail at the Galis homes.

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Villaveces Cakes, Dondero’s Kitchen, Earthfare, Epting Events, Home.Made Catering, Jittery Joe’s, J’s Bottle Shop, La Dolce Vita, Lumpkin Café, Marti’s at Midday, Mirko Pasta, Phickles, Publix, Shiraz, Silver Lining Cupcake Company, Tammy Hester Cheesecakes, The National, Trader Joes, Trumps, and Village Wine and Spirits.

Many thanks to the Event Committee, chaired by Janet Kloepfer and Marti Schimmel, with members Greta Covington, Lisa Dore, Peggy Galis, Theresa Lee, David Matheny, Chris Peterson, Laura Straehla, and Caroline Turlington. Also thanks to event sponsors, Burman Printing, Lucy and Buddy Allen, and Marti’s at Midday.

The night was filled with the soulful voices of gospel choir The Inspirations, laughter, and the sound of old and new friends greeting each other. It was a reminder that the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation is more than just another nonprofit – it is a community of people who share a vision, and this night was the embodiment of the spirit of that vision. Hope you can join us next year on Sunday, December 4th…place to be determined!

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Not to forget that this holiday party is also a fundraiser, the night ended with a drawing for fifteen raffle items and the awarding of five silent auction items—many folks went home very happy. We were grateful to have the support of so many fine local businesses and individuals who donated items to the raffle, including: A Small Green Footprint Aurum Studios balance pilates + wellness studio Bee Natural Canopy Studio DRee & Co. Fire and Flavor Five Points Yoga Foundry Spa Hable Construction Homeplace Gifts Jittery Joe’s R.E.M. Urban Sanctuary and Spa Our amazing silent auction items included a $100 gift certificate to Empire State South and a weekend night at the Four Seasons; a wine tasting in Katherine and Bertis Downs’ wine cellar with appetizers by Peter Dale of The National; an eight-person, private Italian cooking class with Jim Oakey; a night for two at Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast plus two tickets to Concert on the Lawn with a gourmet picnic basket from Marti’s @ Midday; and a “Downtown Athens Night Out” package with two tickets to the Classic Center and dinner at The Last Resort.

Congratulations to all our lucky winners!

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Holly-Days Recap

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Photos of Holly-Days on Henderson by Marvin Nunnally

Holly-Days Recap

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For more information on the 2010 tour series, visit

Walking

achfonline.org/heritage-walks

History’s Path

by Amy Andrews ABOVE: Tour guide Charlotte Marshall explains the use of the term “relict” (a widow) on the tombstone of Sarah Key, buried in the 1856 Oconee Hill Cemetery. The cemetery is one of the most beautiful in the Georgia, with its majestic monuments, park-like appearance, rolling hills, and river. It is the final resting place for many local, state, and national leaders.

Athens Heritage Walks, a series of guided walking tours of historic neighborhoods and sites in Athens, recently concluded another successful year with twenty-five tours of fourteen different sites.

This is the second year of the tour series, which was developed in 2009 as a way of celebrating Athens’ designation as one of the 2009 “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation created the tours to showcase the diverse historic character of Athens and to highlight the impact that historic preservation has in making Athens a special place. The tour series was so popular that ACHF decided to continue the series in 2010, adding new sites but also bringing back a few of the tours from the first year.

The tours offer an intimate group experience with a truly exceptional tour guide.

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Each of the guides is a well-known personality in the Athens community, with a specific expertise on the particular site.

Each donated his or her time and knowledge to lead the tours. The tours were limited to twenty-five participants, and the small size allowed a unique camaraderie to develop. Many of the tours ended with a reception at the tour guide’s or a neighbor’s home, which further heightened the tour experience. Judith DeJoy, who participated in several tours, aptly captured the experience: “I do believe that the ACHF Heritage Walks program is especially creative and well-executed. In addition, it provides for an enrichment historic preservation experience that illuminates the living history behind the buildings, streets and backyards—and humanizes the mission of historic preservation.”

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BELOW: Tour goers stop in front of Fire Hall Number 2, the oldest fire hall in Athens, built in 1901, on their walking tour of Prince Avenue. The fire hall serves as the headquarters of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, the non-profit organization that sponsored the Athens Heritage Walks tour series.

LEFT: A train passes over the trestle, juxtaposed with a tiny kayaker below during the North Oconee River Heritage Tour.

BELOW: Bob Skarda shows tour goers a historic photo of the warehouse at Scull Shoals, which stands behind him in ruins. The Scull Shoals village in northwest Greene County was once a thriving mill town in the 1800s, but floods, drought, and a depression caused the town to be abandoned by 1900.

One of the tours that inspired her comment was of Pulaski Heights—a 1900s working-class neighborhood of modest homes and early industry on the northwest side of downtown. David Bryant, assistant director of the UGA Sea Grant Program and a long-time resident of that area, led the tour. In addition to learning about the distinguishing characteristics of the various architectural styles in the neighborhood, tour goers were educated on the historical significance of the rail lines that dissect the area; visited the former Southern Cotton Oil Company refinery, now the studio of Stan Mullins, a painter and sculptor; learned of the existence of an underground restaurant whose chefs were recently featured on “The Cooking Channel”; took a tour of architect Lori Bork’s very contemporary home, which incorporates architectural elements designed to maintain the character of the historic neighborhood and was built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards; and visited a former turn-of-the century bakery where Coleman Barks worked on his now-famous translations of the thirteenth-century Persian mystic, Rumi.

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The tours proved popular with ACHF members and non-members alike, with over half of the reservations made by the latter group, thus introducing a new audience to the history of Athens and the role that historic preservation plays in maintaining our town’s character.

ACHF would like to extend its sincere appreciation to all of the tour guides who shared their passion and knowledge and provided truly memorable tours: Buck and Diane Adams, Jim Barrow, David Bryant, Janet Clark, David Hally, Maxine Easom, Ben Emanuel, Lee Epting, John Knowlton, Milton Leathers, Charlotte Marshall, Hubert McAlexander, Bob Skarda, and John Waters. |

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Walking History’s Path LEFT: Painter and sculptor Stan Mullins describes the transformation of the turnof-the century Southern Cotton Oil Refinery building into his studio. The Pulaski Heights neighborhood, in which his studio is located, is home to modest cottages and early twentieth-century industry on the northwest side of downtown.

TOP (next page): Tour goers stop at the Cobbham birthplace of William Lorenzo Moss, a medical researcher and physician, who developed the first blood typing.

Crawford W. Long, also from the area and most noted for his discovery of anesthesia, delivered Moss in this house in 1876.

BOTTOM (next page): Tour goers visit the Ferdinand Phinizy family plot, which contains many impressive examples of funerary art.

BOTTOM: Tourgoers prepare to tour Lori Bork and Quint Newcomer’s contemporary home, designed by Lori. The home is a wonderful example of how contemporary architecture can be compatible with a historic neighborhood.

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Walking History’s Path

TOP: Milton Leathers and the Historic Cobbham Tour BOTTOM: Charlotte Marshall and the Oconee Hill Cemetery Tour

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Dear ACHF Members: On May 2-8, 2011, the University of Georgia will host the Nationwide Tour’s Stadion Golf Classic at the UGA Golf Course. The tour is a unique opportunity to see firsthand some of golf’s rising stars. Or, if you are not into golf, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a spring day in the country.

No matter your reason, if you are you planning to attend the Stadion Classic, you can support the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation by earmarking your registration fee to the foundation.

It’s that easy!

Simply go to www.stadionclassic.uga.edu to order tickets online. When you purchase your tickets, you will be asked to choose a non-profit to support. Click on “ATHENS-CLARKE HERITAGE FOUNDATION” and 100 percent of your purchase price will go towards the ACHF. Your support will help fund all of our educational and outreach activities such as Hands On Athens, Athens Heritage Walks, and our annual Preservation Awards.

If you prefer not to order online, contact Jennifer Messer at jenadawg@gmail.com for a printed ticket order form.

Thank you for helping the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation with this fundraiser. Please feel free to recruit others to support the foundation with just a click of a button! Any nonmember purchasing four or more tickets will receive a one-year complimentary membership in the ACHF—just send us a copy of your confirmation and be sure to include contact information.

Sincerely,

Jennifer M. Lewis President, Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation

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ACHF Committees 2011

Committees ACHF members are welcome to participate in furthering the good work of the organization by joining one of our committees. The following committees are our most active and would welcome your skills. Any ideas you might have for our committees can be passed along to the chair.

COMMUNICATIONS: Disseminates information about events, projects, and issues to members and the Athens community at large; oversees the ACHF website; develops, produces, and distributes newsletter.

Chair: Michael Lachowski mlachowski@gmail.com DEVELOPMENT: Coordinates income, both short- and long-term, for ACHF through membership, special events, sponsorships, and other income streams; develops a long-term income strategy for ACHF, including such possibilities as capital campaigns, annual gifts, bequests, and other life income gifts.

Chair: Jennifer Messer jenadawg@gmail.com EDUCATION: Teaches the ACHF membership and the community of the advantages of preserving historic properties and related issues.

Activities include workshops for realtors, homeowners, or developers; neighborhood walking tours; specialty tours associated with Classic City Tours; publications; informational meetings or presentations for ACHF members and heritage education.

Chair: Lisa Wilson Dore lwdore@me.com MEMBERSHIP: Generates and implements ideas for increasing, maintaining, and managing membership; includes membership drives and special membership events, such as the Fun-n-Friends and the Annual Meeting; oversees the HE RI T A GE

Athenaeum Club; collaborates with Education, Preservation Issues, and/or Special Events committees when appropriate; reviews membership structure and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees; works to maximize the involvement of ACHF members; and recognizes the time and efforts of all who support the ACHF. Chair: Jan Levinson jllevinson@gmail.com PRESERVATION ISSUES: Keeps the ACHF board and membership apprised of information relating to endangered properties and buildings within the Athens area community through its Community Engagement initiative; recommends appropriate action if and when necessary; and recognizes preservation activities in the community by soliciting nominations and making annual historic preservation awards. The committee evaluates applications, judges against established criteria, and selects winners to be honored at the Annual Meeting of the ACHF. Chair: Janet Patterson janet483@earthlink.net; Awards Chair: Jennifer Lewis jbmlewis@gmail.com SPECIAL EVENTS: Serves as umbrella committee for all special events, including but not limited to the holiday gala, fall fundraiser, tour of homes, and others. This committee is not be responsible for every special event but rather for brainstorming and recommending ideas for events to the board and for planning a calendar for the following year. This committee is also be responsible for recruiting event chairs, assisting those chairs in developing committees, and monitoring the progress of special events committees throughout the year. The chair acts as a liaison to the board for each special event.

Chair: Marti Schimmel meschimmel@gmail.com |

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Athenaeum Club

Athenaeum

CLUB PUB CRAWL

On October 21, 2010, the Athenaeum Club boldly went where many a UGA undergraduate has gone before – the bars of downtown Athens.

Forty bold attendees participated in the first ever Athenaeum Club Historic Pub Crawl, co-sponsored by the Terrapin Beer Company and the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation. The crowd walked from one end of downtown to the other, visiting five watering holes in buildings of historic significance: the Melting Point, the Capitol Room, Manhattan CafĂŠ, the Globe, and Blue Sky Bar. At each stop, participants were treated to a pint of Terrapin beer, commentary on the particular brew from Terrapin cofounder Spike Buckowski, and historical facts connecting the venue to the history of Athens.

The event was a huge success! The response was so great that organizers

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expanded the number of participants beyond the original cap of thirty. The group moved en masse from one bar to the next as a sea of forest green t-shirts (custom designed for the pub crawl event

by ACHF trustee Eleanor Sams), mixing and mingling and grabbing fun door prizes, courtesy of Terrapin Brewery.

Athenaeum Club organizers are hopeful that with continued support from the local microbrewer, the pub crawl will become an annual event and fundraiser for the foundation. If you missed out on the fun this time, be on the lookout next fall to reserve your spot on the tour.

Better yet, get on the Athenaeum Club mailing list and be the first to know about this and other events by emailing athenaeumclub@gmail.com.

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Athenaeum Club

SO, WHAT IS The Athenaeum Club?

by Jan Levinson

We’re so glad you asked.

The Athenaeum Club is a part of the Athens- Clarke Heritage Foundation. It started out as a group for young professionals who were interested in learning more about the history of Athens. The goal was to sponsor regular, relaxed events that supported the mission of ACHF and connected members to our local architectural heritage.

Coming on the scene as co-coordinator of A-Club (our familiar nickname for Athenaeum) in the spring of 2010, I was excited to hear that ACHF was committed to making a special space for young professionals and to encouraging their interest in local heritage and culture. We planned short tours of local sites that provided participants with behind-the-scenes tours of everyday places, followed by on-site happy hours for continued discussion and mingling. The thing that surprised me, and that has made A-Club even more fun, was a little known secret – it’s not just young professionals who like creative events and happy hours. It turned out that everyone wanted to come to these events. Month after month, we would get emails from across the membership – folks who bashfully proclaimed that while they might not fit into the “young professional” group, they were still interested in engaging with ACHF members on a more regular

basis. Getting to feel like members at the Annual Preservation Awards or the Fun ‘n Friends events, was great – but the entire membership seemed to want more opportunities to engage with each other in informal learning situations.

Building on that enthusiasm, we have put together a great set of events over the course of the past year – open to everyone. We try to host one event each month that will give members a chance to engage and learn more about their community. My collaborators and I take suggestions from board members, committee chairs, and regular members, as well as non-member attendees who frequent the programs. We’ve toured the construction site of the new Georgia Theater, seen the wonders of a converted church at the Urban Sanctuary and Spa, and explored the conversion of a metal foundry to a modern performance space. I am continually amazed by (and indebted to) the local individuals and business owners who are willing to open their doors for a quick tour and talk.

Since accepting the leadership role of the group, my collaborators and I have tried to stay true to the original goals of the group while expanding the offerings to all ACHF members. Our events are free to current ACHF members and are offered at a small cost to non-members.

As we put the finishing touches on our spring schedule of events, I invite you to check us out! If you have an idea for a site or speaker, send us an email at athenaeumclub@gmail.com and we’ll do all we can to make it happen. Thanks for your help.

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Volunteer Opportunities

ATHENS WELCOME CENTER UPDATE

by Evelyn Reece, Director

The Athens Welcome Center and Church-Waddel-Brumby House Museum (CWB) had a busy year, and we are excited about what lies ahead.

in her adventures abroad and hope she will return to Athens often.

The summer of 2010 included a visit from UK artist Derick Tickle, who completed faux grain-painting on the second-floor doors. The work is tied to evidence found in our Historic Finishes Analysis and was funded in part by a Watson-Brown Foundation Grant. The artist, whose resume includes years of finish restoration at the Biltmore House, also conducted a grain-painting workshop while he was here. We await word on possible funding to further our progress on interior finishes with Derick, so stay-tuned for future hands-on decorative workshops hosted by the CWB Museum.

One sad note in 2010 was Jeanne Strong’s relocation to China. As many of you know, Jeanne is a long-time ACHF and CWB House Restoration Committee member, and was the creator of the CWB House Museum’s interior restoration plan. There is, however, a happy ending: we haven’t really let her go; we continue to keep her abreast of our progress and receive her support from abroad. In a late summer send-off, we presented her with an honorary Greek-key bracelet in recognition of her long-term commitment and contributions. We wish her the best PA G E

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The Athens Welcome Center Gift Shop is over the moon for local art with its Overthe-Mantel Art series. We are currently featuring the work of artist Jamie Calkin for sale, including an original of the CWB House Museum, made especially for us.

Previously featured artists included CHUB, CapMan, and John Moon. Please stop by to see Jamie’s work and that of future artists, and always remember that we are the source for local literature, music, and hand-crafted items, such as local honey!

Classic City Tours welcomes Pam Ramey as our newest tour guide.

Pam has extraordinary stories to tell on our African-American History Tours, which were featured during Black History Month. Other Classic City Tour offerings include the daily Heritage and Museum Mile Tours, which include Rose of Athens Theatre vignettes during the holidays and Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage. The Music History Tours, with raconteur Paul Butchart, are always popular with the international set.

Remember to bring your 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 an opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and help them make the most of their visit to Athens! Volunteer openings are available for the Tuesday or Thursday 1-3 p.m. shifts. Email or Call Evelyn Reece at athenswc@negia.net or 706-353-1820 to learn more about this fun opportunity in a beautiful setting.

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Volunteer Opportunities

HANDS on ATHENS

by John Kissane, HOA Administrator The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation’s Hands On Athens program completed its twelfth spring work weekend April 8-10, working a dozen homes.

before, 170 Lyndon Ave

after, 170 Lyndon Ave

As in previous years, HOA provided a wide range of free maintenance, repairs, and landscaping improvements for low-income homeowners in the historic Hancock Corridor, East Athens, and Newtown neighborhoods. And once again the program’s success was due entirely to the generous community spirit of more than 200 volunteers, including several skilled contractors and builders, who came out and accomplished a great deal. In addition to the typical exterior improvements such as painting, porch and roofing repairs, window repair and replacement, gutter installation, and landscaping improvements, this spring’s project involved considerable interior work at two houses on East Broad Street. And landscaping work was more substantial than in previous years, resulting in very visible neighborhood improvements. Homeowners and volunteers alike felt positive about the weekend.

before, 185 Minor Street

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Photos of Hands on Athens by M. Lachowiski and J. Kissane

Hands on Athens 2011

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Monday

April 25

5:30

ACHF Board Meeting

Friday

April 29

ACHF Preservation Awards Deadline

May 2-8

Stadion Classic Golf Tournament

UGA Golf Course

Thursday

May 5

Spring Fun ‘n’ Friends

Nuci’s Space

Tuesday May 10 5:30

Church-Waddel-Brumby House First Floor First Completion Celebration

Athens Welcome Center

Friday

May 13

UGA Mid-century Architecture Symposium UGA

Saturday

May 21

10:00

ACHF Development Committee Retreat

Monday

May 23

5:30

ACHF Board Meeting

Old Fire Hall No. 2

Monday

June 13

6:00

Preservation Awards & Annual Meeting

UGA Fine Arts Theatre

5:30

Old Fire Hall No. 2

The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation was founded in 1967 to save Athens’ oldest residence, the Church-WaddelBrumby House, from the wholesale demolition that erased the entire Lickskillet neighborhood in downtown Athens. The ACHF became the leading advocate for the importance of historic preservation to the future of the Athens community and continues to be a proactive force in developing community-wide understanding of the value of historic buildings, neighborhoods, and heritage.

achfonline.org

Want to advertise in the next issue of Heritage?

Contact Amy Kissane for rates at

achf@bellsouth.net

We need your support to continue celebrating our heritage and advocating for its preservation each and every day. This past year we did just that with a number of successes and new initiatives. We celebrated the designation of the Milledge Avenue Local Historic District and introduced our guided tour series, Athens Heritage Walks, the new Athenaeum Club, and a local lore Girl Scout badge program. In March 2010, we held the successful, community-wide symposium LOOK AT THAT! Fresh Approaches in Urban Redevelopment for Athens.

Our Board of Trustees completed its work on a strategic plan for the foundation and partnered with the Athens High and Industrial School Alumni Association to obtain a Georgia Historical Marker for the former site of the historic school. And these are just a few of the highlights.

Our committees are again busy planning a year of heritage education and entertainment! None of this would be possible without the support of our members. So, please become a member today!

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These programs depend on your support‌ thank you.

Membership Rates

Community Engagement

All 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.

Athens High & Industrial School Marker Ben Epps Commemorative Statue Buena Vista Local Historic District Initiative Navy Supply Corps School Transfer

Heritage Education

Athens Area Realtors Workshops Athens Heritage Walks Guided Tours Heritage Newsletter Historic Property Owners Workshops Local Lore Girl Scout Badge

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

$20 Student

$35 Individual

$50 Family

Tour of Homes

Historic Properties and Museums Athens Historic House Museum Association Church-Waddel-Brumby House Museum Historic Fire Hall No. 2 Ware-Lyndon House Museum

I would like to increase my support by joining at a higher level: $75 Sustainer

Membership Events Athenaeum Club Fun-n-Friends Heritage Holiday Gala Annual Meeting

$100 Donor

[Basic package plus a 10% discount at the Athens Welcome Center Gift Shop]

Ongoing Programs

$250 Supporter

$500 Patron

Athens Welcome Center Classic City Tours Façade Easements Hands On Athens Historic Preservation Revolving Fund Annual Historic Preservation Awards

[Above plus two tickets to Heritage Holiday Gala]

Looking to volunteer?

[Above plus two Classic City Tours tickets; one ticket to Heritage Holiday Gala]

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.

$1,000 Preserver

[Basic plus 10% discount at Welcome Center Gift Shop; four Classic City Tours tickets & four Heritage Gala tickets]

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

ACHF, 489 Prince Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601 Name Address

E-mail Phone

Payment Type:

Enclosed Check

Credit Card

Card number

Expiration Date

Name on Card Contact us at 706-353-1801 or achf@bellsouth.net

Thank you for Protecting the Past for the Future.

Fire Hall No. 2 489 Prince Ave. Athens, Georgia 30601 706-353-1801 www.achfonline.org

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ACHF MEMBER? PLEASE CONTACT US AT ACHF@BELLSOUTH.NET

To make a gift,

please mail your check to ACHF, Old Fire Hall Number 2 489 Prince Avenue Athens, Georgia 30601.

Please consider

supporting the AthensClarke Heritage Foundation with an annual gift. A gift to ACHF supports many ongoing preservation and community engagement programs such as our top-notch educational programs, heritage walking tours, Hands On Athens, preservation awards, revolving fund, and our two historic house museums.

For more information

on other ways to make a gift to ACHF, please contact Jennifer Messer, Development Committee chair, at 706-614-7156.

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Athens, GA

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