Heritage Summer 2011

SUMMER 2011

And the Preservation Award goes to...

Annual event honors the best in new and old construction PAGE 6

A walk in time

Heritage Walks uncover hidden stories of Athens’ neighborhoods PAGE 10

One salacious scrapbook

Finds in the archives expose life at the Lucy Cobb Institute PAGE 16

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 2011-2012 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tim Kelly, President Lisa Wilson Dore, President-elect/Education Chair Chris Peterson, Treasurer/Finance Chair Tony Stringer, Treasurer-elect Kyle Campbell, Recording Secretary Tom Wilfong, Parliamentarian Janet Patterson, Revolving Fund Liaison/Preservation Issues Chair Lauren Bloodworth Bill Bracewell, Chair, Future Plan David Bryant Stephanie Crockatt Linda Davis Hope Iglehart John Knowlton

Michael Lachowski, Chair, Communications Cheri Leavy, Co-chair, Special Events Jan Levinson, Chair, Membership Jennifer Lewis, Past-president Bobbie McKeller, Chair, Athens Welcome Center Jennifer Messer, Chair, Development Keith Plummer

HERITAGE CREDITS Editor: Kristen Morales Communications Committee: Michael Lachowski (chair), Jennifer Lewis, Amy Kissane Design: Eleonora Machado Heritage Newsletter Logo: Chris Bilheimer Cover 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.

THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL HERITAGE SPONSORS Corinthian Level ($5,000) R.E.M. Ionic Level ($2,500) Barber Creek Design Georgia Power Todd Emily|Morgan Stanley Smith Barney CARSON ADVISORY INC.

Doric Level ($1,500) Adams Transfer & Storage Aurum Studios, Ltd. Carson Advisory, Inc. ETL Construction Services The Sams Group

fire hall from the

by Amy C. Kissane, Executive Director (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.

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

The foundation learned about these issues 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 publicly 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 larger 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:

These decisions to demolish the cottages and Rutherford are being made in the absence of a comprehensive and well-thought-out policy for the treatment 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, despite 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 significant historic buildings, but their current piecemeal approach to historic buildings not located on north campus makes it easy to make mistakes.

• 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 H ERI T A GE

|

SUMME R

2 0 1 1

|

PAG E

3

2011 Annual Meeting 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, elect new officers, and say thank you 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 the board: Amy Andrews, Caroline Turlington, Peggy Galis, Marti Schimmel and Jeff Bishop. Jennifer Messer, ACHF Trustee and Nominating Committee Chair, presented the slate of officers for this coming year, which started July 1: Tim Kelly, president; Lisa Dore, president-elect; Chris Peterson, treasurer; Tony Stringer, treasurer-elect; Kyle Campbell, recording secretary; Janet Patterson, revolving fund liaison; and Tom Wilfong, parliamentarian. 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.

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 strategic 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 improvements that we’ve only begun to see the benefit of. Thank you, Jennifer.

The Year in Review.

For a look at the past year of the AthensClarke 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.

PA G E

4 |

S U M ME R

2011

|

HE RI TAGE

H ERI T A GE

|

SUMME R

2 0 1 1

|

PAG E

5

2011 Preservation Awards

by Jennifer Lewis, Awards committee chair 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 restoration 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 in caring for and fixing up their historic properties by giving out preservation awards for outstanding historic rehabilitations, restorations, and stewardship.

We also recognize outstanding new construction in historic areas (referred to as infill), outstanding publications and programs, and more. Since 1967 the foundation has given out more than 300 awards at its annual spring meetings.

Thanks to everyone who attended!

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

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” PA G E

6 |

S U M ME R

2011

|

HE RI TAGE

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

Excellence in Community Revitalization Seth Hendershot and Chris Godfrey Hendershots Coffee, 1560 Oglethorpe Avenue

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

Outstanding Stewardship Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Georgia Beta Chapter Ross Crane House, 247 Pulaski Street

H ERI T A GE

|

SUMME R

2 0 1 1

|

PAG E

7

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

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

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

Outstanding Rehabilitation Awards UGA Office of University Architects New College, UGA campus

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

From do-it-yourself home rehabs to milliondollar 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.

PA G E

8 |

S U M ME R

2011

|

HE RI TAGE

Outstanding New Construction in a Historic Area Tom and Donna Murphy Laucher-Murphy House, 440 W. Cloverhurst Avenue

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

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 Restoration Sarah and Chris Peterson Howell Cobb House, 698 N. Pope Street

...and 2012 awaits!

Visit the awards website at achfonline.org/awards

H ERI T A GE

|

SUMME R

2 0 1 1

|

PAG E

9

For more information on the 2011 tour series, visit achfonline.org/heritage-walks

Recording history

Grant funds filming of 12 Athens Heritage Walks

By Lisa Dore, President-elect/Education Chair 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.

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 incredible tours? They are wonderful and the tour guides’ stories must be captured on film!” In February we learned of a grant opportunity 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 videotaping 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 will enable us to film 12 tours this season and our intent is to film the remaining tours in 2013 and 2014. ACHF Trustees Peggy Galis and Janet Patterson have PA G E

1 0 |

S U MME R

2011

given generous donations which will enable us to film one more tour and create an 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 the tours (and that filming does not deter from 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 films for 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. |

HE RI TAGE

Reservations are required as space is limited. ACHF Member $12 | Nonmember $15 | Ten or more $10

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.

University of Georgia’s North Campus and Jackson Street Cemetery with Nash Boney and Janine Duncan 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23 Pulaski Heights Historic Neighborhood with David Bryant 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 Walking the Hill with John Knowlton and Lee Epting 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 Cobbham Historic District with Milton Leathers 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery with Al Hester 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 FootPrince – Historic Prince Avenue with Amy Andrews 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9

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.

Dearing Street Historic District with Hubert McAlexander 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 Downtown Athens with Hal Cofer and Jones Drury 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 Oconee Hill Cemetery with Charlotte Marshall 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 North Oconee River Heritage Kayak Tour with Ben Emanuel and Janet Clark 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 Milledge Avenue Historic District with Gilbert Milner and Fran Thomas 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

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.

Reese Street Historic District with Michael Thurmond 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 Milledge Circle Historic District with John Waters 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Haunted History Tours

Get in the spirit of Halloween by visiting Athens’ haunts 7 p.m. Oct. 27, 28, 30 and 31 (Oct. 29 is the Georgia-Florida game)

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 achftours@bellsouth.net. 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.

H ER I T A GE

|

SUMME R

20 1 1

|

PAG E

1 1

Name: Alex Sams

Age: 46 Profession: Owner of TheCarAgent.com; partner in The Seasons Townhomes Involvement with ACHF: Chairman, Special Events committee.

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

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 practically 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 commission, 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.

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.

PA G E

1 2 |

S U MME R

2011

|

HE RI TAGE

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 everyone. People built the homes.

People preserved and renovated the homes. People enjoy the homes. Athens is a living museum, so I just started preaching, “THIS IS YOUR ATHENS.”

H ER I T A GE

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 everpopular 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.

SUMME R

2 0 1 1

|

PAG E

1 3

Spring Fun-n-Friends

Spring Fun-n-Friends AT NUCI’S SPACE

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.

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 preservationists, 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 closest neighbor and staunch advocate.

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

As the Director of Nuci’s Space, a nonprofit support/resource center dedicated to 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.

PA G E

1 4 |

S U MME R

2011

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

By the close of the talk, there was an energy 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 compiling 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. |

HE RI TAGE

Spring Fun-n-Friends 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-nFriends event at Nuci’s Space. The event tackled the discussion of preserving the historic steeple where R.E.M. played its first show.

H ER I T A GE

|

SUMME R

20 1 1

|

PAG E

1 5

By Alana Cole Faber

Rediscovering history Lessons learned from others’ castoffs

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 a more suitable home for those objects that do not support the foundation’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.

PA G E

1 6 |

S U MME R

2011

|

HE RI TAGE

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 eye The advertisements written there

would make you laugh and cry The wind and rain had washed

one half of that bill-board away But the half remaining there

would make that bill-board say Come smoke a Coca-Cola

drink tomato-ketchup cigarettes Watch 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 a diamond on my finger that will be the 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 such flirtations take place via email, 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 H ER I T A GE

|

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.

It is the goal of ACHF to find a home for 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 achf@bellsouth.net.

SUMME R

20 1 1

|

PAG E

1 7

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 “University High School.” The zig-zag line at left, extending upward from Prince Avenue, is the former city limits and today is Park Avenue.

BUENA VISTA HEIGHTS

Perhaps Athens’ next local historic district?

By Kristen Morales The paperwork is in and the process is underway.

After a couple years, several neighborhood meetings and hundreds of flyers and pamphlets spread door-to-door, the application for the Buena Vista Heights neighborhood to be a local historic district has been sibmitted to the AthensClarke 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 the University of Georgia finalized plans for its new Health Sciences Complex in the former Navy School. The neighborhood is located along the upper end of Boulevard, between Prince Avenue and the CSX railroad tracks and from Park Avenue to Pound Street.

historic district designation because of new developmental pressures coming from the UGA property across the street, plus more than a dozen historic homes have been lost in recent years due to infill development.

After raising the money for a professional survey of the neighborhood, residents compiled the final report and submitted the local historic district application in early June. Now, residents are gearing up for the final steps in the process.

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

And with more commercial interest coming 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.

ABOVE: One of the many examples of “vernacular” 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.

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

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.

PA G E

1 8 |

S U MME R

2011

|

HE RI TAGE

Education Committee

Calling all

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

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

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’ first lecture at 6 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Melting 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 and provide 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 H ER I T A GE

|

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 first Scouts day is Sept. 24. We hope you’ll join us throughout this exciting year of programming.

Preservation Matters 2011-2012 Events Monday, August 29, 2011: Lecture Historic Preservation and Sustainability, Mark C. McDonald Saturday, October 15, 2011: Workshop Energy Efficient Strategies for the Historic Home & HandsOn Window Workshop Saturday, February 4, 2012: Symposium SOUTHERN MILLS: Economically Smart | Socially Responsible Saturday, May 5, 2012: Tour Green Bike Tour

SUMME R

20 1 1

|

PAG E

1 9

Volunteer Opportunities

ATHENS WELCOME CENTER UPDATE

by Evelyn Reece, Director

Photo courtesy Don Nelson Volunteers 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.

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 complete our first floor interiors plan.

The CWB House Restoration Committee continues to look ahead with work on the second floor finishes through funding from the 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 series. Previously featured artists included Jamie Calkin, CHUB, cap man, and John PA G E

2 0 |

S U MME R

2011

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

During AthFest, Classic City Tours debuted its revamped Music History Tour.

Local raconteur Paul Butchart brought Athens Music History to life with an indepth walk through downtown complete with special insider stops at the Georgia Theatre and the very first 40 Watt Club.

Stop by to pick up the newest edition of the Music History Tour booklet or download it at our website: www.athenwelcomecenter.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 available for the 1-4 p.m. shifts on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Contact Evelyn Reece at 706-353-1820 or athenswc@negia.net to learn more about this fun opportunity in a beautiful setting. |

HE RI TAGE

Volunteer Opportunities

HANDS on ATHENS

by 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 under 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.

It’s a house HOA worked on a few years ago, a wonderful late-19th century dwelling 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 that had been installed in the early 1990s.

Soon enough, several sections of concrete began dropping and the entire porch appeared about to collapse. Ms. Jordan abandoned her favorite porch swing and confined herself to a small chair right beside her front door, and eventually kept off the porch altogether.

HOA was contacted to evaluate the situation and determined it would be best to remove the concrete, rotted wood framing and sheathing and install a new wood deck in keeping with the age and design of the house. The first step was H ER I T A GE

|

bracing the porch roof, work carried out by local contractor and regular HOA volunteer 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 using 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 everything done was far more than Ms. Jordan could afford. So thanks to several generous Hands On Athens volunteers, some essential work in a historic Athens neighborhood is accomplished. Take a look next time you’re walking or driving along West Hancock.

SUMME R

20 1 1

|

PAG E

2 1

FALL DAY DATE NAME PLACE August-November Athens Heritage Walks See the tour schedule on Page 10 Monday 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. Church Saturday Sept. 24 Fall Scout Days - Heritage Badge Old Fire Hall No. 2 Friday Sept. 30 Benefit Concert for ACHF Little Kings Club

featuring Local Bands

Sept. 30 2011 Membership Renewals Due Saturday 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 Crawl Sunday Dec. 4 Holiday Party and Tour (TBD) Saturday Dec. 10 Athens Historic House Museum Association: Holiday Spirits Tour Monday Jan. 16 Hands On Athens MLK Holiday

February African American History Tours

February 4th Grade Heritage Education Outreach Program: My Home, My Town, My World Saturday 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 athenaeumclub@gmail.com for summer and fall dates.

PA G E

2 2 |

S U MME R

2011

|

HE RI TAGE

Membership Rates

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.

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

$30 Student

$50 Individual

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

$250 Donor [Basic package plus a 10% discount at the Athens Welcome Center Gift Shop]

Heritage Education

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

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

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

Ongoing Programs

$1000 Patron [Above plus two tickets to Heritage Holiday Gala]

Looking to volunteer?

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

$2,500 Preserver

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

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

$500 Supporter

Community Engagement

Membership Events

$100 Sustainer

These programs depend on your support‌ thank you.

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

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

For more information

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

To make a gift,

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.

Please consider

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

Athens, GA

Permit #403

PAID

U.S. Postage

Non-Profit Org.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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