Preservation Gala
An Edwardian A’fair, 1978
Building community requires ample occasions for members and friends to come together. Over the years, the Trust has worked to give its supporters opportunities to do so in a way that celebrates the organization’s mission. Through these special events, members make new friends, public understanding of preservation grows, and the Trust gains funding for our programming. One of our major annual fundraising events is the Preservation Gala, formerly the Preservation Ball.
Dating back to 1978, following an early fundraising campaign, staff began producing special events like the Edwardian A’fair. The Preservation Ball eventually evolved from the Rhodes Hall Halloween Ball of the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, the Trust held masquerades or Halloween Balls at the Georgian Terrace, and by 1994 the event had become the Preservation Ball, a themed formal evening of friends, food and fun.
A Biltmore Affair
Now known as the Preservation Gala, this year the event will bring things back to 1973, the year the Trust was founded, to commemorate our 50th anniversary. We are excited to celebrate during an evening of fine food, cocktails and dancing at the organization’s headquarters: Rhodes Hall, known as the “Castle on Peachtree.” This 1970s-themed evening will honor Georgia Trust President and CEO Mark C. McDonald for his nearly 40-year career in historic preservation and his wife, Carmie. Event chairs Georgia Schley Ritchie and Mildred Spalding promise a night to remember! Join us for the 2023 Preservation Gala on May 5.
Support the Georgia Trust’s ongoing work by attending an event and by becoming a member today!
See more about the history of the Georgia Trust on our 50th Anniversary blog Celebrating 50.
