Summer 2010
Imagine tomorrow’s lifestyle in yesterday’s places.
MEMBERS’ NEWSLET TER
L.P. James House Mr. and Mrs. William Newby have just completed a total restoration of their Victorian mansion in Gray, GA. Following the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation, the Newby’s took advantage of state tax incentives for historic preservation and now enjoy this stunning National Register-listed building as home! Historic Macon has helped over 500 building owners plan rehabilitation projects to receive tax credits for preservation.
Supporting Historic Macon
An Investment in Your Future! Beach books for Big Boys (and Girls)
The Next Sidney’s Salon Series is Back 2010 Preservation Awards
Celebrating Preservation in our Community
A Message from the President I am pleased to offer the membership a year-end report to summarize the health and effectiveness of Historic Macon Foundation. Historic Macon Foundation concluded its fiscal year on April 30, 2010 having closed a projected deficit of over $20,000 to a little over $4,000. Thanks to your generosity through our hardest times, our budget this year projects a modest surplus. That surplus will be contributed to our revolving funds so that we can save even more historic buildings in future years. To meet these goals, my fellow Trustees and I will be calling on you to increase your membership donation by one level and help us recruit at least one new Patron over this year. Our goal is to increase the number of households supporting our work by 20%. How many people do you know who share your passion for historic places? Chances are, you have a friend who cares as much as you do about our city and has never been asked to join our ranks as a member of Historic Macon. Won’t you ask them to join today? We need your continued support because I have announced a platform that will challenge us to do more than we have ever done before to protect, restore and revitalize our beautiful city. Thanks to new partnerships, we will invest over one million dollars in Beall’s Hill this year to create new and rehabilitated homes that will save an entire historic neighborhood. We also hope to use the skills we have learned in neighborhood revitalization to begin a home-ownership program downtown through loft housing. You can also expect us to be on the forefront of advocacy, providing you with complete information about what you can do to help save buildings like the Atlantic Cotton Mills and Miller High School. Finally, we hope to raise significant new endowment funds to sustain and interpret our headquarters: The Sidney Lanier Cottage. Please join me in continuing to support Historic Macon and growing our organization to care for our 6,000 National Register-listed historic buildings. Jeff Logan, President
A special Thank You to
Backdrops Fantastic for lending us a beautiful cherry blossom back drop to temporarily spruce up the display case that houses Mary Day’s wedding dress. They have also agreed to work with us to design a permanent backdrop sometime this summer.
Board of Trustees Executive Committee President Jeff Logan President Elect Pam Thomasson Secretary Sally Heard Treasurer Felicia Parker Counsel Kay Gerhardt Events Committee Co-Chair Evelyn Adams Events Committee Co-Chair Phyllis Farmer Education/PR Committee Chair Susan Long Cottage Committee Chair Margaret Harrington Preservation Committee Chair Vickie Hertwig Membership Committee Chair Michael Wright
Board of Trustees Alice Bailey Richard Bates Charles Brittain Jeane Easom Chase Jim Coleman Dorothy Cook Joy Dyer Walter Elliott Larry Fennelly Alexis Fox Betsy Schnell Griffith Patricia Hammon Arthur Howard Betty Sweet Ladson Burt Lee Diane Lewis Jennifer Taylor Long Lois McLain Vern McCarty Aubrey Newby Carole Seegert Lenore Sell Jennifer Simmons Amanda Smith Brandon Thomas Dick Thomasson
Our Mission is to advocate for Macon’s historic and architectural heritage, to facilitate preservation efforts in our community, and to educate and inspire appreciation for our unique city.
Information
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Calendar of Events Imagine Tomorrow’s
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Today’s Lifestyles in Yesterday’s Places
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Historic Macon Foundation at the Sidney Lanier Cottage 935 High St. PO Box 13358 Macon, GA 31208
2010 Preservation Awards 4
www.historicmacon.org Phone: (478) 742-5084 Fax: (478) 742-2008
Thank You! PIC Green Field Day
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Sidney’s Salon Series
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Eye Center of Central GA Celebrates 45 Years of Service
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Imprints of the Past
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Special Thanks
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Staff
Josh Rogers, Executive Director jrogers@historicmacon.org Janis Haley, Director of Development jhaley@historicmacon.org Cantey Ayres, Bookkeeper and Administration cayres@historicmacon.org Marty Willet, Lead Interpreter for the Sidney Lanier Cottage Daniel Groce, Intern dgroce@historicmacon.org
The Power of Endowment: Leaving a Legacy 5
Membership Sign-Up Form Back
d Volunteer Opportunities d Common volunteer activities include: • Advocating for historic preservation with community leaders
• Planning and executing events: Decorator’s Show house, hard hat tours of rehabilitation projects and special events • Mailings and office help • Serving as a volunteer on one of our active committees
We can also use volunteers for other recurring needs such as: (Duty: Time Commitment) Cottage docent: One day per week or one day per month Gift Shop attendant: One day per week or one day per month Landscaping: One day per week or one day per month
Please Call Janis Haley or Daniel Groce at 478-742-5084 to find out how you can volunteer.
www.historicmacon.org
Lost & Found • Found: one pair of nice sunglasses found at Cottage • Found: one black brief (8x10 pad) cover left at Cottage If you think these belong to you, please contact Daniel Groce at 478-742-5084
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d Calendar of Events d July 13
October 15 & 16 Historic Macon Foundation’s 33rd Annual Flea Market 668 Shurling Dr. Preview Party: Oct. 15 (Members Only) Flea Market: Oct. 16 • 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Patricia Sprinkle presents her book: “Daughter of Deceit”
Call (478) 742-5084 to arrange a Flea Market pickup or to schedule a time for drop-off. Donations to the Flea Market are deductible from your taxes!
Sidney’s Salon Presents: Beach Books for Big Boys (and Girls): Mystery and Intrigue to get you through the Summer Sidney Lanier Cottage Reception: 5:30, Presentation begins at 6 p.m.
August 10
Sidney’s Salon Presents: Beach Books for Big Boys (and Girls) cont. Sidney Lanier Cottage Reception: 5:30, Presentation begins at 6 p.m. Rick Hutto presents his book: “A Peculiar Tribe of People: Murder and Madness in the Heart of Georgia”
September 3 & 4 Discovery Days Sidney Lanier Cottage Learn the history of your flea market finds, attic antiques and family heirlooms by enjoying an inspection and appraisal by Rod Hardy of Hardy Halpern, Inc. at the Sidney Lanier Cottage. Call or email Janis Haley to schedule a personal appraisal at 478-7425084 or jhaley@historicmacon.org
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December 3 Cottage Christmas Sidney Lanier Cottage 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. January 20, 2011 Patron’s Party Location to be announced 7:00 p.m. April 23, 2011 PIC Green Field Day Tattnall Square Park 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. May 3, 2011 Annual Meeting Cox Capitol Theatre 5:30 p.m.
www.historicmacon.org
Imagine Today’s Lifestyles in Yesterday’s Places By Josh Rogers From College Hill to Cherry Street, new residents are making downtown Macon home everyday. These home buyers are making the biggest investments of their lives betting on the resurgence of downtown Macon. Historic Macon Foundation is determined to secure those investments by launching the most ambitious revitalization program in our forty-year history. In the next few months, we will begin construction or rehabilitation on seven homes, totaling nearly one-million dollars in construction costs—over three times our annual operating budget. Our investors for this project are truly broad: nearly five hundred other households just like yours are driving this project with yearly donations, alongside the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the City of Macon, Mercer University, the Macon Housing Authority, the Hills and Heights Development Corporation and the College Hill Alliance.
Home buyer demand is driving our aggressive construction pace; we have not had a finished home on the market in nearly eight months. Each buyer seems to have a unique motivation for putting down roots in downtown. College Hill’s broad appeal, architectural beauty and friendly neighbors spark interest that gets buyers to take a first look. Whatever draws buyers’ attention, it is often basic economics that closes the deal. Incentives for historic preservation often make a rehabilitated historic home half as expensive as buying new. A completely rehabilitated 1,500 sf historic home costs most buyers around $500 per month to own including mortgage, insurance and taxes (see historicmacon.org for more information). Qualified buyers may also be eligible for as much as $50,000 in down payment assistance from the City of Macon, Mercer University and Georgia Dream. In addition to these persuasive incentives, downtown home buyers realize still more savings such as reduced vehicle commutes. One recent buyer reduced his commute from twenty minutes to two-hundred yards, saving at least $1,200 per year in fuel costs. Three other families have dropped down to owning one car, saving thousands of dollars every year. Saving money means that downtown living costs less to own a house that affords you a better lifestyle.
$14,000,000.00
$12,000,000.00
$10,000,000.00
$8,000,000.00
$6,000,000.00
$4,000,000.00
$2,000,000.00
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Historic Macon Foundation City of Macon
Figure 1. Thanks to Historic Macon Foundation’s investments in neighborhood revitalization, the eighty-four homes that we have rehabilitated or built are worth $9 million more than when we acquired the property.
continued on pg. 6
www.historicmacon.org
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HonoringtheMostInspiringProjectsinMiddleGeorgia 2010 PRESERVATION AWARDS At our Annual Meeting on May 4, 2010, The Board of Trustees was pleased to present the following awards for the best developments throughout Middle Georgia’s historic districts in the past year. These awards represent not just historic preservation projects, but also adaptive re-use, landscaping and even new construction. Historic Macon’s volunteer committee of architectural professionals meets anonymously for six months to find these projects and recommend them to the Board of Trustees for recognition.
Exterior Restoration of a Governmental Building
Bibb County Courthouse, Chairman Sam Hart, Bibb County Board of Commissioners
Restoration and Adaptive Reuse
Residential Restoration and Appropriate Addition
2319 Clayton Street , Mr. and Mrs. Al Bond
Commercial Restoration
The Allman Brothers Big House Museum, Mrs. Peggy Winters-Thompson, interim Executive Director
552 Poplar St. (AlphaGraphics), Mr. Richard Dannenberg, owner, & 566 Poplar Street (Backdrops Fantastic), Mr. Charles McCollough, owner
Enhancement and Landscaping
Philanthropic Award
Christ Church Parking Lot, The Rev. Harriette Simmons, Rector
Commercial Restoration and Adaptive Reuse
Knight Neighborhood Challenge, Ms. Kathryn Dennis, President of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (example: 1030 Magnolia Street)
Mercer University Village, President William D. Underwood Pioneering Investments 1067 Washington Ave., Mr. Mark Pinkerton
Urban Enrichment Award
Stewardship Award
Preservation Pioneer Award
Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation for Washington Park, Mr. Dale “Doc” Dougherty, Director
New Appropriate Construction
Capital City Bank, Mr. Steve Jukes, President
Neighborhood Award
(Public education, Historic Tourism) Plaque Project by NewTown Macon, Mike Ford, President & CEO Madison-Poss & Associates, Pat Madison and Rusty Poss, owners (Examples: Twin Pines Apartments, The Palisades and Joshua’s Cup)
Maryel Battin Award Vickie Hertwig
Hines Terrace, Brian Joynt, President of Vineville Neighborhood Association Congratulations to this year’s winners and please email us at info@historicmacon.org if you know of a project that the committee should consider for next year’s ceremony.
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www.historicmacon.org
The Power of Endowment Myth: Planned giving donors are old.
Fact: Younger donors the future of Foundation.
may determine Historic Macon
The age at which people begin financial planning for themselves and their families is becoming lower every year. Ages Bequests
Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs)
18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Mean
6% 10% 18% 20% 23% 24% 62
3% 14% 26% 22% 20% 15% 58
Note: Data resource was www.plannedgivingmarketing.com
www.historicmacon.org
• 43% of bequests and 35% of charitable remainder trusts are created by individuals 55 and younger. • 15% of planned gifts are by those 45 & younger. For a confidential consultation or to get more information about how you can leave a legacy with Historic Macon or the Sidney Lanier Cottage as the recipient of a charitable gift, please contact Kathryn Dennis, President of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia at 478-742-5084.
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Community Gives the Green Light to PIC Green! Historic Macon’s first ever PIC Green Field day was held at Tattnall Square Park on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Event chairperson and HMF Trustee, Phyllis Farmer, was very pleased with every aspect of the event and has officially declared this first-time event a big success. The event boasted over 40 vendors who came to display everything from hybrid cars and high efficiency HVAC systems to owners and operators of local community gardens and artisans working entirely with repurposed and recycled materials. Neighborhood kids were given a real treat from members of the “Green Team” at Alexander II Elementary School. Dozens of kids learned the fine art of planting starter plants and were given their plantings and more to take home to nurture. They also helped decorate a giant dragon made entirely of repurposed materials. The dragon will now have an honored place on the Alexander II school grounds. The event also included a series of speakers on subjects like composting, eating locally, healthy cooking techniques and numerous other topics. Throughout the day, various musical groups from area schools danced and sang to entertain the crowd.
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Before
After As exciting as the economics are, it is the downtown lifestyle that makes the most difference for downtown buyers. The houses we are building now are all within walking distance to Mercer University, the Medical Center of Central Georgia, Mercer Village, Tyler’s Place (the Macon Dog Park), Tattnall Square Park, at least six more public parks and downtown’s commercial district. Buyers like young professionals and retiring emptynesters are flocking to downtown for the porch parties, the pizza shops and the camaraderie of knowing and loving your neighbors. Historic Macon Foundation is a national leader in neighborhood revitalization—investing literally millions of dollars into neighborhoods where we save National Register-listed houses while creating opportunities for people of many incomes to buy homes. In direct response to these investments, crime drops, property values sky rocket, home ownership rates triple, tax revenue increases and people get to love the places where they live.
What Can You Do ? • Renew your membership in Historic Macon at one level higher than last year.
• Spread the word to friends who might be interested in moving to Macon.
• Make a planned gift to maintain your membership after you pass
• Join us at our next open house (invitations will be emailed in our weekly newsletter).
Speaking of crowd, it was perfect weather for the event and vendors were pleased with the steady stream of people with a real interest in finding ways to live more sustainable lives. We all look forward to next year’s bigger and better event. For a complete list of vendors that participated in this event, please visit our website at www.historicmacon.org
Remember: Preservation Is conservation all year ‘round! 6
www.historicmacon.org
Sidney’s Salons Presents
Tuesday, July 13 Patricia Sprinkle presents:
“Daughter of Deceit” As Katharine digs deeper into Weidenauer family history, she discovers that everything Bara believed about her father may have been a lie. It’s up to Katharine to expose this family’s secrets from the past and the present . . . or the future will be very grim indeed. Patricia Sprinkle grew up in North Carolina and Florida, graduated from Vassar College, and later spent a year writing in the Scottish Highlands. She has been writing mysteries full time since 1988, and currently lives in Smyrna, Georgia. When she is not writing, Patricia is active in advocacy for abused, neglected, and deprived children.
Beach Books
Tuesday, August 10
(and girls!)
“A Peculiar Tribe of People”
for Big Boys
Mysteries and Intrigue to get you through the summer
All Salons will be held at the Sidney Lanier Cottage. Admission is free for members (donations happily accepted). Wine and Cheese reception begins at 5:30. The programs begin promptly at 6:00 pm.
www.historicmacon.org
Richard J. Hutto presents:
Macon witnessed a story of epic proportions; a tale of white-columned mansions, an insane asylum, real people as “Southern grotesque” as the characters of Flannery O’Connor, and a volatile mix of taboo interracial relationships and homosexuality. Richard Jay Hutto is a noted author of several books on the Gilded Age, including Their Guilded Cage: The Jekyll Island Club Members. An attorney and former chairman of the Georgia Council for the Arts, he lives in Macon, Georgia. Pictures and biography provided by globepequot.com
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Eye Center of Central Georgia’s move to Tattnall Square Heights Revitalizes Neighborhood
Imprints of the Past
Celebrating the spirit of 1035 College Street
By Daniel Groce In 1985, three doctors moved their ophthalmology practice from the downtown area on Hemlock Street to Tattnall Square Heights, at the corner of Oglethorpe and Tattnall Streets. At the time, any eye surgeries performed by these doctors had to be performed at the Hospital. They decided that they wanted to move their practice to a place that could house all of their services. In fact, when the Eye Center of Central Georgia moved to its new location, it became the first clinic in the state of Georgia with an out-patient ambulatory surgery center. It was also one of the first businesses to move to Tattnall Square Heights at a time when home ownership was low and crime rates were high. The new location, however, was perfect for their vision – Parkview Hospital, the historic site of Anjette Lyle’s murders depicted in Whisper to the Black Candle, was located on this piece of land before the Eye Center of Central Georgia was built. Seeing room for improvement in the neighborhood, the Eye Center of Central Georgia became a Gold Level Partner in Preservation of Historic Macon Foundation. Thanks to the Eye Center’s partnership, crime dropped 50%, home ownership skyrocketed to over 70% and 90% of the houses were restored to beautiful condition. As the Eye Center helped Historic Macon improve the neighborhood, they also continued growing their business. Today, residents from over 50 counties in the state of Georgia travel to Tattnall Square Heights for eye treatments. This year, the Eye Center is celebrating 45 years of service to the Central Georgia community.
The house originally located at 1035 College Street was torn down after years of neglect, and today the space is simply a vacant lot. Very recently, the Historic Macon Foundation sold the lot to the owners of the neighboring property, with the promise that they will install a landscaping plan that will help restore the original “rhythm of the street”. An existing tree already brings a strong vertical element to the right side of the property, but the new design for the space includes tall evergreens to the left side of the lot and Macon’s popular Yoshino Cherry trees towards the back. The design also pays homage to the house that once rested there. L-shaped benches made of brick piers and wooden boards mark the four corners of the original house’s foundation, and the area closest to the road will be planted to look like a residential front yard.
Diane Vaughn, the manager of the practice, said, “Our practice is proud to have been a part of the revitalization of this community and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.” For over 25 years, the Eye Center of Central Georgia has shared a vision with the community to restore the historic integrity of Tattnall Square Heights. Historic Macon congratulates them on their 45th anniversary.
Pi-Tech, Inc. 1063 Walnut Street Macon, GA 31201 (478)743-5600 www.pi-techinc.com D. Scott Pipkins, Ph.D., P.E.
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www.historicmacon.org
Special Thanks to Our Most Generous Members! All memberships and donations are as of May 15, 2010.
Homorariums & Memorials In Memory of Josie Willingham by: Tommy Pilcher
Historic Macon Club
In Memory of Bob Fincher by: Mildred Dennis Mary Anderson
Ms. Dina Crownover Mr. & Mrs. Steve Durkee Ms. Jo Fabian Dr. & Mrs. Ken Harper Ms. Sally Murphey Heard
In Memory of Mrs. William F. Ladson, Jr. by: Dr. Ralph George Newton, Jr.
Ms. Victoria Hertwig Ms. Sara Beth Hertwig Col. & Mrs. Arthur Howard Mr. Kendall D. Ward Mr. Tom B. Wight
Supporting Mr. & Mrs. Joe Adams Mr. Richard Bates Mr. & Mrs. Luke Harrington Hon. Jim Marshall & Mrs. Camille Hope
Mr. & Mrs. Edmund Olson Drs. Michael & Bridget Wright
Benefactor Mr. & Mrs. Walter Austin Mr. & Mrs. Kent Baldschun Mr. & Mrs. Mark Ballard Dr. & Mrs. Peter Brown Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm S. Burgess, Jr. Mr. James Caldwell Dr. & Mrs. James Chapman Mrs. Jeane Easom Chase Mr. Jim Coleman Mr. & Mrs. Mike Cook Mr. & Mrs. Don Cornett Mr. Derek Culp & Dr. Elizabeth Culp Mr. & Mrs. Robert Danner, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Adam Delong Mr. Spyros Dermatas Mr. & Mrs. John Fox Dr. Kirby Godsey Ms. Joy D. Goens Mr. Paul Griffin Mr. & Mrs. Richard Guerreiro Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Hearn, Jr. Ms. Judy Hodgens Mr. C. Terry Holland & Mr. Jeff Logan Ms. Frozine B. Huff Ms. Lee Johnson & Dr. Maurice Solis Mr. & Mrs. Samuel P. Jones
www.historicmacon.org
Mrs. Eleanor Lane Dr. & Mrs. Michael Leonard Mr. & Mrs. Russell W. Lewis Mr. & Mrs. James R. Macklin Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Madison Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Maxwell, III Mr. & Mrs. Harold D. McSwain, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Rusty Mitchell Mr. & Mrs. Aubrey Newby Mr. & Mrs. Tom Olmer Mr. & Mrs. James Palmer Mr. & Mrs. Terry Parker Dr. & Mrs. Joe Sam Robinson, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Joe Sandefur Mr. & Mrs. Harold Seguin Mr. Chris R. Sheridan Dr. & Mrs. O. Suthern Sims, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Cubbedge Snow, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Gene B. Strouss Mr. & Mrs. Marc Treadwell Mr. William O. Walker & Janet B. Walker Mr. & Mrs. Virgil P. Warren, III Mr. & Mrs. Rick Whitten Dr. Howard J. Williams, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. John Willingham
In Honor of Dr. & Mrs. Waldo Floyd, Jr.l by: Elizabeth and Roy Wyche Gloria McAfee Wynn Bert and Edith Schwartz Keith and Del Ward Leslie In Honor of Vickie Hertwig by: Sara Beth Hertwig
In Memory of Ralph Newton by: Mary Anderson
In Honor of Edna Gostin by: Gloria McAfee Wynn
In Memory of Mrs. Merritt Hertwig by: Merry Johnson
In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Tom Flournoy by: Maragaret P. Smith
In Honor of Mrs. Lee Oliver by: Frances M. Gavin
In Honor of Sara Beth Hertwig by: Cantey Ayres
Gifts American Pride Bank James and Shirley Macklin Dr. Michael Wright Janice Brice Joe and Evelyn Adams Dorothy B. Cook Williams Electrical Contractors Dr. & Mrs. James Chapman
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NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage
PAID
P.O. Box 13358 Macon, Georgia
Permit No. 428 Macon, Georgia
Membership Form New___ Renewal ___ NAME:____________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________________________________ EMAIL:______________________________________________________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER:(home)__________________________________ (work) _______________________________ PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT: ____ Email (saves $$) or ____ U.S. Mail MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ___ $20 Student ___ $50 Individual ___ $75 Family ___ $150 Patron ___ $250 Benefactor ___ $500 Sustaining ___ $1000 Historic Macon Club METHOD OF PAYMENT ___Check Enclosed Credit Card __Visa __MasterCard Credit Card # __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Exp_________
Now you can join on-line!
www.historicmac on.org (click on “Donate” )
Go online and join or send form to: Historic Macon Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 13358 Macon GA 31208. Go online to learn about making monthly contributions, gift memberships, or donations in honor or memory of a loved one.