Georgia Trust Seeks Preservation-Minded Buyer for Historic Furlow School in Americus
ATLANTA, Mar 30—The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is seeking a preservation-minded buyer to purchase the Historic Furlow School in Americus. The property is being sold through the Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund program, which works to save historic buildings across the state by providing effective alternatives to demolition or neglect of architecturally and historically significant properties by promoting their rehabilitation and monitoring their preservation in perpetuity.
Constructed in 1914, the former Furlow Grammar School is located within the Americus National Register Historic District. The approximately 9,912-square-foot building sits on a 2.13-acre site with a history dating back to 1859, when the property was home to the Furlow Masonic Women’s College. The site reflects more than a century of educational and cultural significance in Sumter County.
The substantial size and prominent location of the building offer a unique opportunity for adaptive reuse near the growing Georgia Southwestern State University campus. In its current condition being vacant since the 1980s, the building presents an ideal candidate for a creative, preservation-forward redevelopment approach—such as introducing a new structural system within the historic shell—allowing for a thoughtful balance of preservation and modernization.
Americus is known for its rich architectural heritage, vibrant downtown, and strong ties to education. With its historic charm and active preservation community, the city provides an appealing setting for a transformative redevelopment project. Â
Preservation and Rehabilitation Opportunities
The Historic Furlow School offers an opportunity for an experienced developer to undertake a large-scale preservation project that honors the building’s historic character while introducing a new use. Due to the complexity of the project, a proven track record with similar developments will be required of potential buyers. Acquisition costs will be negotiated in consultation with the Americus Downtown Development Authority based on the viability of the proposed end use.
Property is sold “As-Is, Where-Is” meaning that it cannot be moved or demolished, and it is the buyer’s responsibility to make improvements that are compatible with the historic character of the property. Properties sold through the Revolving Fund program have conservation easements in place to ensure the historic integrity of the property is retained. Additionally, buyers are required to sign a Rehabilitation Agreement and all work done to the property must abide by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.Â
For more information about the Furlow School, including photos, visit GeorgiaTrust.org. Interested parties should contact Charlotte Zinck at czinck@georgiatrust.org or 404-885-7819 for pricing information.
About the Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund Program
The Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund Program was established in 1990 to provide effective alternatives to demolition or neglect of architecturally and historically significant properties by promoting their rehabilitation and enabling owners of endangered historic properties to connect with buyers who will rehabilitate their properties.
The Georgia Trust accomplishes this goal by either accepting property donations or by purchasing options on endangered historic properties. The properties are then marketed nationally to locate buyers who agree to preserve and maintain the structures. Protective covenants are attached to the deeds to ensure that the historic integrity of each property is retained, and purchasers are required to sign rehabilitation agreements based on the work to be performed on the structure.
About the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.
As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the 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 honors preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and recognizes 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, visit www.georgiatrust.org.
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