SPRING 2013
A new look at an old farm Wier-Kay house is home to unique Athens history. PAGE 10
Christmas in Cobbham Event of the season unites friends old and new. PAGE 14
Who will you nominate? The annual Preservation Awards are coming. PAGE 18
achfonline.org
ATHENS-CLARKE HERITAGE FOUNDATION Fire Hall No. 2 489 Prince Avenue Athens, Georgia 30601 706-353-1801 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 2012-2013 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tim Kelly, President Jan Levinson, President-elect/Membership Chair Tony Stringer, Treasurer/Finance Chair Erika Lane, Treasurer-elect Jameé Fiore, Recording Secretary Bobbie McKeller, Parliamentarian/Welcome Center Chair Linda Davis, Revolving Fund Liaison/Preservation Issues Chair David Bryant, Education Chair Lauren Dye Adam Hebbard Michael Lachowski, Communications Chair Cheri Leavy, Special Events Co-chair Kristen Morales Cullen O’Steen
Janet Patterson Keith Plummer Victoria Prevatt Paul Trudeau Tom Wilfong Carol Williams
HERITAGE CREDITS Editor: Kristen Morales Communications Committee: Michael Lachowski (chair), Jennifer Lewis, Amy Kissane Design: Eleonora Machado Heritage Newsletter Logo: Chris Bilheimer Cover photo by Hollis Yates at the Wier-Kay House.
THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL HERITAGE SPONSORS
Ionic Level ($2,500) Barber Creek Design Georgia Power Todd Emily Doric Level ($1,500) Aurum Studios, Ltd. Carson Advisory, Inc. Dalton Carpet One E+E Architecture, Inc. ETL Construction Services Lindsay Transfer & Storage
Message from the President By Tim Kelly, President, ACHF
The answers aren’t always easy when it comes to preservation. I’ve come to understand that during my time with ACHF. Maintaining historic properties come with challenges as unique as the structures themselves. One such challenge is the historic 1883 Georgia Railroad trestle, widely known as the Murmur Trestle, so named because of its featured prominence on the back cover of R.E.M.’s full-length debut album. It is a testament to the popularity and importance of Athens’ own rock superstars that R.E.M.’s fans continue to make the pilgrimage to Dudley Park to create a personal connection with the trestle. A quick Internet search reveals a large collection of fan-made video and loving photos of the structure that sits in our own backyard.
I am happy to see Pete McCommons reignite this long overdue community discussion in his most recent Flagpole column. I am likewise encouraged to read that Pete agrees with the suggestion Amy Kissane and I advanced last year – to say goodbye to the original trestle due to the high price tag of stabilization and hazardous environmental impact, and in its place construct a historically accurate replica. This new trestle would invoke the memory of the original, providing visiting (and local) fans their desired connection but would allow for its new service as part of SPLOST funded rail-trail line into downtown Athens. Incorporating the trestle into a walking/ biking path would provide a flat, level thoroughfare into downtown, connect the new multimodal center with nearby neighborhoods and serve as a starting point for a longer, possibly 39-mile-long, trail out to Union Point.
As many know, in 2000 the trestle was partially demolished before being bought and saved by the Athens-Clarke County government. And there it has sat these past 13 years waiting, still beloved, but in need of official and not just fan attention. Sadly, time and industry have made the trestle unstable and environmentally hazardous. A hard decision must be made about its future. Pollutants, a byproduct of its long years of rail service, are leaching from the structure making its preservation a potential hazard, while the years of neglect have made it structurally unstable. The time has come to let go of the original structure but preserve its memory for future generations.
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A hard choice that would result in a new structure that will serve as a reminder of preservation’s many challenges and something that one day may be worthy of preservation in and of itself.
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fire hall from the
By Amy C. Kissane, Executive Director
The saga of the Buena Vista Heights local historic district designation has not been settled as of the writing of this column. The Athens-Clarke County Commission is scheduled to vote at its March 5 meeting and will likely be voting on a commissiondefined option that is a smaller district than that recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The Foundation has been working with commissioners, in particular Kelly Girtz, to help define a smaller district that achieves protection for the majority of the neighborhood’s historic properties. The original boundary adopted by the HPC largely follows the 1999 National Register Historic District boundary. The period of significance for the national district was set at 1890 to 1949, and so all houses built by 1949 that retained their architectural integrity were designated as contributing. Unfortunately, 10 of those contributing houses have been torn down—and in some cases new houses built, and two have been significantly altered. The local historic district, which has a period of significance from 1890 to 1960,
includes seven of these 12, now, noncontributing properties.
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One of the issues with the proposed local boundary is that it includes a high percentage, approximately 25 percent, of noncontributing houses, many (11) of which are concentrated west/northwest of the properties lining Buena Vista Avenue. In addition, there are 5 properties in this same area built in the 1950s and early 1960s that were not considered contributing to the National Register district. In short, this northwestern
part of the district is weaker than other areas, and that weakness combined with a well-organized opposition group has made the local district designation a tough sell to county commissioners.
rather large box but prevent designs that are completely out-of-keeping with an existing neighborhood. Some opponents of Buena Vista have complained that the historic district guidelines do not allow for contemporary designs, but, if you look at new construction in our historic districts, you will find some excellent contemporary examples. But not enough, I admit. Much of our infill housing, especially in the Boulevard district, has conformed to a kind of Craftsman Revival or Vernacular Revival look. Those are the designs that, more often than not, have been presented to the HPC, and, since they meet the guidelines, the HPC has approved them. My guess is that the predominance of these designs goes back to a study that was published by the Planning Department in 1996 and is still available on the website; the study provided simple architectural drawings for four types of infill housing. Although well-intentioned, the study may have sent the unfortunate message, “Bring us something like this and we’ll approve it; otherwise, all bets are off.”
I have told commissioners that I can support a smaller district because I do not believe the Commission will designate the original and I want to help form consensus around a district that is based on historic preservation practices, not on whether individual property owners want to be included or not. In addition, I do not think extending the period of significance to 1960, which affects contributing/ noncontributing designations, was the best approach for this neighborhood’s future. But before the issue rests, I’d like to explain why historic designation would still be the best thing for the entire National Register District. First and foremost, local historic designation protects the architectural integrity of historic buildings—and thus the districts to which they contribute—by making sure that character-defining features and materials are not destroyed or inappropriately altered. Conservation districts, an idea floated by some, are not intended to provide these types of protections. At the same time, local historic designation is a good tool for guiding the redevelopment of non-historic properties and vacant lots. Guidelines for new construction focus on scale, setback, materials, level of detail, etc. and allow for new designs that fit into a H ERI T A GE
It’s time to move past this cookiecutter approach to infill in our historic districts. The HPC and Planning Department should encourage property owners to submit contemporary designs for new construction in historic districts and be receptive to those submittals. After all, we have some very talented and creative local architects who are designing buildings outside our districts; I would hate to think they see our historic districts as off-limits. |
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Preservation in Progress
Snow Tire Company
165 South Milledge
Three recent sales mark a new beginning for historic buildings The house at 165 South Milledge Avenue was in desperate need of restoration after a fire burned most of the interior. On July 2, 2012, Chris Peterson of Peterson Properties LLC bought the c. 1890 historic home. Even though the building was burned before Peterson bought the property, he has since been working on restoring the home for future residential use. As part of the intensive restoration plan, he has removed all the burned and smoke-damaged areas. All the surface areas that were affected by smoke have been cleaned and neutralized with the use of a special soda-blasting machine. Peterson has tried to keep as much as possible of the homes’ original character, but still keeping the needs of future residents in mind. The original window trim has been salvaged and the original shutters will be rehung as the project comes closer to completion. The existing maple wood flooring will be repaired and new flooring will be added that matches. The home will receive a new roof, two porches, heating/air, new bathrooms, and a new kitchen. — Anastasia Barnes The vast white masonry structure that occupies the southeastern corner of West Hancock Avenue and Pulaski Street is familiar to Athenians as the home of Snow Tire Company. But the building is no longer a source for oil changes or tire repairs. Renovations will begin soon to convert the building into a brewery to house the Creature Comforts Brewing Company, which will begin with a capacity of 6,000 barrels per year but hopes to grow to an annual output of 30,000 barrels. Built in the early 1940s, the building housed several auto repair shops before Snow moved in around 1970. When Creature Comforts began its property search, taking on the rehabilitation of the historic building seemed like a nobrainer. Though most of the storefronts in downtown Athens are far too small for such a venture, investors felt a craft brewery would be a perfect fit in the former
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auto repair shop. The brewery feared it may wind up on the outskirts of town, contributing to sprawl and losing the opportunity to enrich the bustling culture of our downtown district.
Gordon-Hanks House
This adaptive reuse project will provide the young, locally-owned brewing company with the square footage it needs right downtown. The company plans to demolish the building’s interior walls and dropped ceilings, repurposing as much wood as possible from the existing tire racks for the construction of offices and several tasting rooms. The building’s original exterior walls will remain undisturbed, preserving the Snow Tire Building as a familiar landmark. — Laura Duvekot The Gordon-Hanks House at 1045 Prince Avenue is one of the few standing reminders of the grand homes that once lined the street. Without being afforded any protection from the city as a landmark, the “for sale” sign on its lawn until last November meant that it, too, might soon be replaced by another bank or fast food chain. The grand neoclassical home was constructed in 1919 by then-president of the Commercial Bank of Athens, Hugh H. Gordon, for his son, Hugh Jr. Though it was leased to fraternities, sororities, and families over the following decades, Gordon owned the property until it was purchased by James Hanks in the early 1980s. The house was purchased from Hanks by an investor in 2009 and had been on the market for an extended period of time when Patrice Poulin and Kevin Bates came across the listing online late last year. Having spent the last eight years remodeling a home in Marietta, Poulin and Bates were craving a new project. They had visited friends in Athens and loved the town’s walkability and atmosphere. Though they had no experience with historic properties, making the Gordon-Hanks House their home and ensuring it would survive into another century became a calling. After correcting problems with the house’s foundation and outdated wiring, the couple has begun the long process of restoring the home’s early 20th-century beauty. From removing layers of paint from the original hardwood floors to tracking down a company that still manufactures the same white hex bathroom tile that was damaged by structural repairs, every step on the path to restoration is an opportunity to learn about a new aspect of the house’s history. They’ve managed to save the majority of the original fixtures and are eager to preserve as much of the house’s original fabric as possible. “We bought it for the structure,” Poulin says, “but now we’re falling in love with its history.” The project can be followed at www.1045prince.blogspot.com. — Laura Duvekot H ERI T A GE
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BEFORE:
FIRE HALL’S COMMUNITY
ROOM GETS A FACE-LIFT Dalton Carpet One’s crew worked extremely hard removing the old carpet and pad and repairing the surface for the new carpet.
Visitors to Old Fire Hall No. 2 may feel a slightly different spring in their step thanks to volunteers and donations from local businesses and the University of Georgia.
AFTER:
Dalton Carpet One donated its services, including a top-notch carpet installation crew, to help replace the old, worn carpet in the building’s first floor. The UGA Physical Plant, along with Kevin Kirsche in UGA’s Office of Sustainability, helped move the donation request through the process. Special thanks to Dalton Carpet One owners Mike and Kelley Blanton and to Casey Joe Hanson for her help in picking out the carpet, taking care of the technicalities, and just making sure everything went smoothly. Past trustee Kyle Campbell started the ball rolling on the project last year, and was instrumental in seeing it through to the end.
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UGA Masters of Historic Preservation graduate students (Adam Martin, Jamee Fiore, Laura Duvekot, and Renee Donnell) helped get the Fire Hall ready for installation.
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The master plan
Downtown study now moves into next phase: Putting the pieces together By Kristen Morales
There was a lot of brainstorming going on last fall. The team tasked with devising a master plan for downtown Athens was busy hearing what everyone had to say — from community groups to residents to visitors and everyone in between. They wanted input — on transportation, businesses, public spaces, etc. — and as much input as they could get. Now, the stew of ideas is simmering on the pot, as it were, melding its flavors. Jack Crowley, an urban planning expert who is directing the team of planning professionals on the project, says now the process involves putting those ideas into concrete proposals. “The idea of brainstorming is still going on, and will probably continue to go on after the plan is announced. We’re entering into the more specific period where we’re going to be looking at financial tools such as tax allocation districts and SPLOST. We’re also working with consultants that have been hired to redesign Clayton Street. We’re looking at the City Hall block.” This phase of the design process involves taking the public’s ideas and showing how they can be created in the downtown area. The team is also looking at specific projects that can improve downtown, like ways to better connect the Lyndon House Arts Center to downtown, or connect the railroad trestle to encourage more pedestrian and bike traffic downtown, rather than cars. The team is working out answers to requests such as public bathrooms (Portland, Ore., has solved many of the problems associated with public bathrooms, which the team is considering), or a downtown art walk to show off the city’s creativity. But as these ideas are developed into concrete plans, Crowley said, the team is constantly getting feedback — from the Downtown Development Authority board, which commissioned the study, as well as a downtown redevelopment committee made up of business owners and planning professionals. “So we’re not just in a dark hole,” Crowley said. “We’re running these ideas past people and at the same time, we’ll probably have another town hall meeting where we will present these ideas.” That meeting is tentatively scheduled for March, but no date had been set as of press time. “We’re just trying to keep people informed,” he added. “In the end, we do not want to spring a surprise.” For updates on the downtown master plan, visit downtownathensmasterplan.wordpress.com H ERI T A GE
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Southern charm
The historic Wier-Kay house recalls past farming days, future families
off Atlanta Highway By Hollis Yates
Situated at the perfect bend on Mitchell Bridge Road, the Wier-Kay House has stood sentinel to Athens’ growth since its construction in 1840. Currently situated on a .42-acre lot, the countryside view of the original Wier family farm is still discernible despite new nearby developments. The house and land were a wedding gift to John Nelson Wier and his bride Louisa Espy Wier, from his father Samuel, a successful local blacksmith and farmer. The original lot was quite large and extended west from the Oconee River at Mitchell’s Bridge and southwest some distance to what is now Atlanta Highway. The property at 755 Mitchell Bridge Road was used for cotton production and included other associated outbuildings such as a carriage house, repair shop, kitchen, toilet, smoke house, chicken coop, barn lot and slave quarters. A blacksmith’s shop was also built across the street. The Wier-Kay House is typical for rural Southern homes from the antebellum, pre-railroad period. The basic I-house shape (linear plan, one room deep, two rooms wide, with a central hallway/ stair) is an old house form dating back to colonial times. Other details like exterior chimneys, a front porch the full width of the facade, and masonry foundations are what give the Wier-Kay House a PA G E
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heating when the Kays moved in. Room by room they renovated the home. More than one print publication dropped in on the Kays over the years to tout their handiwork. Russell made much of the furniture himself, all of the kitchen cabinetry, and installed a pool in the backyard (though the pool is now gone). Melba Kay was accomplished in her own right. She served on many committees and boards, primarily the Entre Nous Club, the Elks Aidmore Auxiliary, the UGA College of Agriculture Alumni Association, and the Clarke County Board of Registrars. She was also secretary for the Clarke County Farm Bureau and the Clarke County Extension Service. In 1967 she was voted Athens Woman of the Year in Business, all the while maintaining her historic home with the greatest of care. After Russell passed away in 2001, Melba continued to live in the home until her passing last year. She insisted in her will that the next owners of the home apply for National Register status upon purchase.
Southern distinction among American I-houses. The Wier-Kay House also contains basic Greek Revival detailing. The Wiers would have been familiar with this architectural style that was so popular in the antebellum South. Classical details like the square doric columns, rectangular crowns above the windows, and full transom lights surrounding the front door were prevalent in the rural South through the Civil War, though the trend died out in urban areas much earlier.
The current owner of the property is developer Ray Goff, who built the surrounding new development. In 2005 he made renovations to the house for Melba and notified the ACHF of its potential for National Register listing. The ACHF has been involved peripherally ever since. The hope is that with a little investment, the Wier-Kay House can again become a long-time family home.
Over time, the house was expanded by way of enclosing porches on the rear side of the house. According to Mary Lou Wier, John Nelson Wier’s granddaughter, the kitchen was not added onto the house until her grandmother fell and broke her hip in an ice storm. Mary Lou’s account of visiting her grandparents’ country home included scenes of her grandmother quilting, being chased by geese, and riding from town in her grandfather’s horse and buggy. She said the magnolia tree in the front yard was brought by her father, John Walker Wier, from Savannah when he came home from the Civil War. Descendants and cousins of John and Louisa Wier lived in the house for many years until it became too much to manage. It passed through different hands until popular Athens residents Russell and Melba Kay purchased the home in 1941 for $3,500. Russell worked in the drywall business and conveniently was also a skilled craftsman, as the house had no central H E RI T A GE
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Name: Linda Davis Age: 62 Profession: Retired from the telecommunications industry, Linda now is a co-owner of Indigo Business Solutions, a small-business consulting firm; an adjunct instructor at Athens Technical College; serves on the Clarke County School Board; and is an ACHF Trustee. How did you come to be involved with ACHF? Through Hope Iglehart; she said the Heritage Foundation is looking to expand into cemetery preservation. I grew up in the Brooklyn community and I see the potential for the Brooklyn Cemetery. (Linda has worked tirelessly to preserve the historic Brooklyn Cemetery, located in a nearly 10-acre wooded area between Clarke Middle School and Westlake Road. What landmark sparks your passion? Brooklyn Cemetery; I look at the preservation efforts of the mansions around here and I think, “That’s awesome to see your history.” But I look at it in terms of where my grandmother worked, those are the people who were buried here. These are the people I grew up with and made us feel like we had a place. In the restoration of Brooklyn Cemetery, I think this should be more of a historical monument to our community. Note: For more information on Brooklyn Cemetery, visit http://brooklyncemetery1.wix.com/brooklyncemetery
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Be a part of
Athens by being a part of ACHF. Since 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. H E RI T A GE
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Christmas in Cobbham Warm homes, gracious hosts usher in holiday season
The annual Heritage Holiday Gala “Christmas in Cobbham” was a tremendous success in friend and fundraising. Athens’ most popular event of the season added 100 new faces two years in a row and has grown into a wonderful mixture of long-time preservation advocates and newcomers to the cause. We are extremely grateful to those who graciously opened their homes to us: Sarah and Jud Doherty, Katherine and Bertis Downs, Susan Hable and Peter Smith and Margie Spalding. Attendees admired not only the architecture of an 1860 Gothic home and a Queen Ann Cottage but also incredible decorative arts, textiles and overthe-top Christmas embellishments.
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Winter gala event
A special thank you is extended to the talented Athens Garden Club and Junior Ladies Garden Club for providing numerous floral arrangements.
Home.made Catering, Jittery Joe’s, J’s Bottle Shop, La Dolce Vita, Lumpkin Café, Mama’s Boy, Marti’s at Midday, Phickles, Shiraz Fine Wine and Gourmet, Silver Lining Cupcake Co., Tammy’s Cheesecakes, The Grit, The Last Resort, The National, Trader Joe’s, Trumps Catering. Dinner by Marti’s at Midday and heavy hors d’oeuvres by Epting Events, The National, Home. made Catering and others kept guests reveling into a grand finale of decadent desserts at the Downs.
We are also so appreciative of the incredible host committee: Alison and David Abernathy, Tanya and Kevin Adams, Tootsie Adams, Lucy and Buddy Allen, Leslie and Charlie Barron, Joan and Gary Bertsch, Carol and Jeff Bishop, Kelley and Mike Blanton, Mercer Brockenbrough, Sally and Dan Coenen, Greta and Stephen Covington, Susie Cross, Linda Davis, Rabun and Drew Dekle, Sarah and Jud Doherty, Katherine and Bertis Downs, Tonya and Peter Dugas, Katrina and Chris Evans, Susan and Dick Ferguson, Peggy and Denny Galis, Rosemarie and John Goodrum, Carrie and Tim Kelly, Gena and Davis Knox, Erika and Ricky Lane, Cheri and Vance Leavy, Becky and David Matheny, Bobbie McKeller, Julie and John McLeod, Kristen and Ed Morales, Libby and Van Morris, Katherine and Matt Moseley, Pam and Dink NeSmith, Kim and Tee Noland, Lane and Jim Norton, Cullen and Patrick O’Steen, Janet and Alex Patterson, Sarah and Chris Peterson, Kim and Chris Pittard, Kim and Michael Ripps, Eleanor and Alex Sams, Lori and Tom Scott, Carrie and Eric Sewell, Lacy and Frank Sinkwich, Susan Hable and Peter Smith, Margie Spalding, Charlotte and John Waters, Gene and Dev Weeks, Tom Wilfong, Carol Williams.
This event is a major fundraiser for the foundation, and one of the most exciting parts of the evening is the silent auction where we feature the local business community who support preservation. This year’s auction chair, Caroline Kinney, reported that the auction was a great success with winning bids surpassing last year’s total. Congratulations to the auction team: Caroline Kinney, Breckyn Alexander and Mercer Brockenbrough. And a big thank you to the businesses who helped make our gala such a financial success with their donations to the auction. Event sponsors include Barron’s Rental Center, Bulldawg Illustrated, Burman Printing, guide2athens, Marti’s at Midday and Northeast Sales Distributing Co. The camaraderie of our team of volunteers makes the event so special and certainly adds to why the gala is such a joyful way to celebrate the season and the cause.
Once again, our long-time supporter Marti Schimmel of Marti’s at Midday generously coordinated the food donations from Athens’ finest chefs and restaurants: Big City Bread Café, Cecilia Villaveces Cakes, Dondero’s Kitchen, East West Bistro, Epting Events, George’s Low Country Grill, H E RI T A GE
Thank you, Gala Co-Chairs Greta Covington, Cheri Leavy and Alison Abernathy with Special Events Chair Alex Sams
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Winter gala event
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Welcome Center Update
Athens Welcome Center update Good food and holiday spirits greet residents and visitors alike By Evelyn Reece, AWC director
The Church-Waddel-Brumby House participated in a progressive dinner for the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries conference in January. In January, the Athens Welcome Center and Church-Waddel-Brumby House participated in a progressive dinner for the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries Conference that was hosted in Athens by the Georgia Museum of Art. The CWB house provided an elegant cheese course menu for more than 130 museum professionals from across the state. The State Botanical Garden, Taylor-Grady House, and Ware Lyndon House also participated in components of the dinner and we were honored to have so many esteemed professionals see our museum and Athens at its very best. The evening’s success was due to the help of many hands, including volunteers from the Athens Welcome Center, CWB House Restoration Committee, ACHF Board, and Epting Events. Our delicious spread was made complete with generous donations by Five Points Bottle Shop, Marti’s at Midday, and Fresh Market, so please remember to support these local businesses the next time you plan a party!
House was graced by a few South Carolinians: professional actor Richard Smith performed as UGA President Moses Waddel at the pinnacle of his tenure, and Dr. Tom Horton, author of a newly published book on Moses Waddel, joined us for an impromptu book-signing. Stop by to pick up a copy of Tom Horton’s “The American Eton,” which is available at our gift shop and reveals surprising facts about Athens’ earliest years. Remember, ACHF members get 10 percent off! Classic City Tours is working with Rosa Thurmond for an upcoming AfricanAmerican History Tour, to depart from the Athens Welcome Center. Mrs. Thurmond’s tours are always enlightening and inspirational, and tourgoers can learn about the first African-American vaudeville theater and the first AfricanAmerican architect licensed in the state, among many other fascinating facts. Her tours also include songs, poignant stories of desegregation and memories of community spirit that forged the progressive Athens we know today. For information on future tours, call 706-353-1820.
In December, the Athens Historic House Museum Association hosted its fifth Annual Holiday Spirits Museum Theatre Tour. It was once again a sellout event with a new play created by the Circle Ensemble Theatre at the Ware-Lyndon House. The Church-Waddel-Brumby H E RI T A GE
The Athens Welcome Center is located at 280 E. Dougherty St. for more information, call 706-353-1820 or email athenswc@negia.net. |
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Foundation’s 2013 Annual Preservation Awards
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Mark your calendar for our annual ACHF Preservation Awards, which honor the best in local preservation efforts. Know of a recent project that should be recognized? The deadline for submission is April 30, and nomination forms, award criteria and a slideshow of last year’s winners can be found at www.achfonline.org. ACHF’s 2012 Preservation Awards winners
When: Monday, June 3 Where: Morton Theatre H E RI T A GE
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A strong foundation
Stone walls workshop shares old-world art form By David Bryant A perfect Autumn morning greeted participants of ACHF’s Stone Wall Workshop in November as they gathered at the Pulaski Heights home of Allan Aycock and Jen Cole. Over the next five hours, 22 fledgling wall builders were taught the basics of drystack wall building by master mason Brent Kickbush and were given valuable hands-on experience in applying the craft.
Brent Kickbush discusses stones used in the construction of a stone wall.
Kickbush began with a brief lesson in stone wall appreciation. He is responsible for some of the most creative stone and brick work in northeast Georgia and clearly has the eye of an artist. He identified some of his favorite examples of historic stonework in the region and went on to discussed tools, safety, materials and the many ways stonework can enhance home landscapes. Just as importantly, he assured the class that with a few basic tools, some simple principles and a strong back anyone could create a stone landscape feature that would stand for decades. The Aycock-Cole residence was a perfect case study in how to use stonework to solve a home landscaping problem. The family wanted a retaining wall to create a level terrace in their sloping backyard. Kickbush, the class and the Aycock-Coles explored design ideas, finally settling on a wall with horizontally stacked sections between occasional vertical piers.
Class participants work on the foundation of a stone wall at the home of Allan Aycock and Jen Cole.
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Led by the instructor, the class helped lay out the wall. Taut lines were strung to cant the wall at an angle sufficient to support the backfill required to create the desired terrace. Then, the group broke for a delicious lunch of barbecue donated by Pulaski Heights BBQ, plus sides supplied by ACHF members. After lunch, the class donned gloves and safety glasses and set to work transforming a pile of stones into a wall. The work was hard but rewarding and, stone by stone, the class turned idea into object. At the end of the day, the class had gained skills, experience and confidence, and a good portion of the Aycock-Cole’s retaining wall stood where it will stand for many years to come.
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Athenaeum Club
Membership update
Athenaeum club tours award winners By Jan Levinson, Membership Chair As many of our members know, the Athenaeum Club is a smaller group within the AthensClarke Heritage Foundation created to host more frequent, informal learning opportunities that invite members to discover more about the history, people, and places in Athens. Hosted nearly every month for the past three years, the A-Club has explored a host of local sites, pairing short talks and tours with informal happy hours. Inspired by the 2012 ACHF Preservation Awards, the membership committee decided that our goal for this year’s A-Club would be to host eight events during the fall and spring that spotlighted 2012 ACHF Preservation Award-winning properties around town. So far we’ve had a behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia Theatre, heard more about local farming and the renovation of a former service station at Heirloom Café, and visited a mid-century ranch house on Fortson Circle – all great events with some of our best attendance yet! As we look forward to our Spring A-Club Season, I would like to give you a preview of the events we have planned. Keep in mind, Athenaeum Club events are free to all members of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation and are a great way to learn and mingle with others invested in preservation in the Athens community. Each event will feature a tour and talk with those involved in each award winning project.
Athens, GA | 2013 H.T. Edwards Complex
Oconee Hill Cemetery
Georgia Power Building
Tuesday, March 5, 5:30-7:00PM 440 Dearing Street Ext.
Saturday, March 30 10:00-11:00AM 297 Cemetery Street
Tuesday, May 14, 5:30PM-6:30PM 1001 Prince Avenue
In 1922 Athens High and Industrial School became the first Black public Secondary School to be accredited in the state of Georgia. In the early 1950s a new school building was built off Dearing Extension for Athens High and Industrial School, which would be renamed Burney-Harris High School in 1965. After a significant rehabilitation, today the H.T. Edwards complex is a campus built around the original rehabilitated school building and gymnasium. Today, the campus is home to the Boys & Girls Club, Athens Technical College’s adult education program, the Clarke County School System’s Head Start program, Classic City High School, Whatever It Takes and the Athens Community Career Academy. This remarkable restoration was awarded a 2012 Preservation Award in the category of Outstanding Rehabilitation.
Nestled behind the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium is Oconee Hill Cemetery, 100 acres of one of the most scenic places in North Georgia. The land was purchased in 1855 by the city of Athens when further burials were prohibited in the old cemetery on land owned by the University of Georgia. In 1856, the city formed a selfperpetuating governing board to hold and manage in trust this land that continues to serve as a public cemetery. The Friends of Oconee Hill were honored with an award for Outstanding Rehabilitation in 2012 for their work in restoring the the Oconee Cemetery Bridge, built in 1899 by the George E. King Company of Des Moines, Iowa
Many of our preservation awards talk about the blood, sweat, and tears people give to restore a building to its former glory but the Georgia Power Building shows a company that has taken great pains to keep an important resource just as it is. Winner for a 2012 Preservation Award in the category of Outstanding Stewardship, the Georgia Power building on Prince Avenue is landmark of mid-twentieth century architecture in Athens and one of the finest early works by the noted Atlanta architectural firm Heery and Heery. The firm designed a simple, yet elegant, modernist building for a prominent street corner. They respected the setback of the earlier buildings along Prince and kept the parking in the rear making way for that, now famous, sloping perfectly green lawn and its long central walkway.
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2013 Athenaeum Club Events DAY DATE Tuesday March 5 (5:30-7pm) Saturday March 10 (10am) Tuesday May 14 (5:30-7pm)
NAME Behind the scenes TA tour Behind the scenes
Other ACHF Events 5:30-7:30 p.m. in April (date TBD) Fri-Sun April 5-7 Monday May 20 Monday June 3
Fun ’n’ Friends UGA Health Sciences Campus/Navy Supply Corps 14th Annual Hands on Athens Annual Meeting Old Fire Hall No. 2 Annual Preservation Awards The Morton Theatre
PLACE H.T. Edwards Complex Oconee Hill Cemetery Georgia Power Building
HANDS ON ATHENS By John Kissane, HOA Administrator
Hands On Athens Gears Up for 14th Annual Spring Work Weekend
This April 5, 6 and 7, close to 300 local volunteers will carry out improvements on no fewer than 15 houses, as the 14 annual Hands On Athens Spring Work Weekend again makes its mark on the community. The program provides a variety of home repairs, at no cost, to low-income homeowners in East Athens, the Hancock Corridor and Newtown. Although volunteers completely lacking home repair experience are welcome, HOA is always on the lookout for skilled builders and individuals with some background in carpentry. Each of the three work days PA G E
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will be divided into morning and afternoon shifts, and volunteers are free to work one shift or the entire weekend, or something in between. Registration for this year’s Hands On Athens Spring Work Weekend will again be at Fire Hall No. 2, and coffee and breakfast items will be provided at the start of each day. Volunteers also will be served lunch, at the Fire Hall both Friday and Sunday, and as guests of First AME Church on Saturday. For more information on Hands On Athens please call John Kissane at 706-353-1801 or email hoathens@bellsouth.net. |
HE RI TAGE
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: $30 Student $50 Individual $75 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:
Membership Events
$100 Sustainer $250 Donor [2 tickets to Gala]
[Basic package plus a 10% discount at the Athens Welcome Center Gift Shop]
$1,000 Patron [6 tickets to Gala] [Above plus six tickets to Heritage Holiday Gala]
Looking to volunteer?
[Above plus two Classic City Tours tickets; four tickets to Heritage Holiday Gala]
$2,500 Preserver [8 tickets to Gala]
Ongoing Programs
Athens Welcome Center Classic City Tours Façade Easements Hands On Athens Historic Preservation Revolving Fund Annual Historic Preservation Awards
$500 Supporter [4 tickets to Gala]
Athenaeum Club Fun-n-Friends Heritage Holiday Gala Annual Meeting
[Basic plus 10% discount at Welcome Center Gift Shop; four Classic City Tours tickets & eight Heritage Gala tickets]
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.
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.
THANK YOU
on making a donation, contact us at 706.353.1801 or achf@bellsouth.net. ACHF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax-deductible.
FOR INFORMATION
making an additional donation to support the Foundation’s positive contributions to the Athens community.
PLEASE CONSIDER
for being a member of the AthensClarke Heritage Foundation! Your membership dues support our many ongoing programs such as Preservation Matters, Hands On Athens, Athens Heritage Walks, Annual Preservation Awards, and the Athens Historic House Museum Association.
Fire Hall No. 2 489 Prince Ave. Athens, Georgia 30601 706-353-1801 www.achfonline.org
Athens, GA
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INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ACHF MEMBER? PLEASE CONTACT US AT ACHF@BELLSOUTH.NET