Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Presents 28 Statewide Preservation Awards at Ceremony in Marietta

ATLANTA, April 27—The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation presented 28 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its 49th annual Preservation Awards ceremony in Marietta, Ga.

The restoration of the Rome Clock Tower in Rome, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, received the Marguerite Williams Award, presented annually to the project that has had the greatest impact on preservation in the state. Built in 1871 as the city’s first water reservoir and topped in 1872 with its signature clock and bell, the tower had suffered from decades of structural movement and water damage. The SPLOST-funded project preserves one of the city’s defining landmarks at a moment when the community is still grappling with the fire that devastated the historic Floyd County Courthouse.

Mark C. McDonald of Atlanta was presented with the Mary Gregory Jewett Award for Lifetime Preservation Service, recognizing his 37-year career in historic preservation, including his tenure as president and CEO of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation from 2008 to 2023. Georgia Representative Scott Hilton (District 48) and Senator Mike Hodges (District 3) received the Senator George Hooks Award. The Camille W. Yow Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Brian LaBrie, a partner with Ray, Ellis & LaBrie Consulting, Atlanta.

Forsyth Park Fountain in Savannah received the Chairman’s Award, presented by the chairman of the Georgia Trust to a person or project of great preservation significance. 

Hurley Community Development Center in Summerville received the Michael L. Starr Award, presented to a project that best exemplifies the highest standards of historic rehabilitation and has a significant impact on the downtown of the city in which it is located.
 
The Historic Oakland Foundation in Atlanta received the Mark C. McDonald Award, which recognizes an outstanding organization that has demonstrated sustained commitment to historic preservation and has had a positive impact on preservation in their local community.
 
The Trust also presented four awards for Excellence in Preservation, two awards for Excellence in Restoration, eleven awards for Excellence in Rehabilitation, one award for Excellence in Sustainable Rehabilitation, two awards for Excellence in Preservation Service, and one award for Excellence in Stewardship.

Excellence in Preservation winners were: 202 W. Bay Street, Savannah; Lucas Theatre, Savannah; Mulberry Street Cemetery, LaGrange; and the Rivet House Hotel, Athens.

Excellence in Restoration winners were: Holocaust Memorial to the Six Million, Atlanta; and Johnson Law Office, Clinton.

Excellence in Rehabilitation winners were: Allison Building, Americus; Bell Hotel, Athens; Emma Hamlet House, Savannah; Georgia State University Student Success Center, Atlanta; J.L. McGarity Ford Building, Monroe; Keen-Edge Company Building, Atlanta; Old Post Office, Bainbridge; Roosevelt Pools, Warm Springs; Savannah Culinary Institute, Savannah; Walton Jackson Building, Gainesville; and the World’s Folk Art Church at Paradise Garden; Summerville.

Main Hall at Agnes Scott College in Decatur was recognized for Excellence in Sustainable Rehabilitation.

Excellence in Preservation Service winners were: the City of Canton and Brian Brown of Vanishing Georgia.

The Lookout Mountain Club in Lookout Mountain was recognized for Excellence in Stewardship.

“This year’s winners represent a tremendous dedication to restoring and revitalizing Georgia’s historic buildings and communities,” said W. Wright Mitchell, president and CEO of the Georgia Trust. “We are proud to honor such deserving projects and individuals.” 

For nearly 50 years, the Trust has recognized preservation projects and individuals throughout Georgia who have made significant contributions to the field of historic preservation. Awards are presented on the basis of the contributions of the person or project to the community and/or state and on compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. The Trust works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use. 

The Georgia Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s Places in Peril. The Trust recognizes preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and honors students and professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). 

To learn more about the Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:  More details about each award winner, including hi-res images of the sites and recipients, can be found at https://www.georgiatrust.org/our-programs/preservation-awards/#awards.