2025 Mary Gregory Jewett Award

Josh Rogers was a visionary leader who played a central role in the transformation of Macon’s intown neighborhoods and commercial downtown over the past decade and a half. As Executive Director of Historic Macon Josh forged partnerships with Mercer University and others to drive the revitalization of the Beall’s Hill neighborhood, earning national attention. After becoming President & CEO of NewTown Macon, Josh turned his focus to downtown, helping establish a market for residential lofts and small-business driven retail. Again, building partnerships he leveraged critical resources to assist entrepreneurs and the broader community, building a stronger and more inclusive city. His leadership fueled a remarkable economic revival—culminating in Macon receiving Main Street America’s Great American Main Street Award in 2024.

Josh’s influence reached far beyond Macon. He served on the Georgia Trust’s Board of Trustees from 2016 to 2022 and was an integral part of the Awards Committee for over a decade, serving as chair for five years. He loved historic architecture and advocated for its reuse at every opportunity. That advocacy helped strengthen Georgia’s historic tax credit programs, benefiting communities across the state. Josh’s lifetime of work will leave a lasting legacy in Macon and the State of Georgia. 

 The Mary Gregory Jewett Award for distinguished service in the field of preservation is named for the Trust’s first executive director and is the Trust’s top honor given to an individual. This award is reserved to recognize those whose dedication and service to the field of historic preservation in the state of Georgia is extraordinary.