Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Presents 21 Statewide Preservation Awards at Ceremony in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga., May 15 GA-Hstoric-Trust-Awrd
AUGUSTA, Ga., May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation today presented 16 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its Preservation Awards ceremony in Augusta.

Union Baptist Church in Augusta received the Marguerite Williams Award, presented annually to the project that has had the greatest impact on preservation in the state. The circa 1851 building also received an award in the Excellence in Restoration category.

Union Baptist Church formed a unique partnership with Historic Augusta, Inc. The success of the project inspired the revitalization of the Greene Street corridor that currently hosts several ongoing preservation projects.

The Trust also presented two awards for Excellence in Restoration, fourteen awards for Excellence in Rehabilitation, two for Excellence in Preservation Services, and three for Excellence in Stewardship.

The Excellence in Restoration winners were Union Baptist Church in Augusta and Savannah College of Art and Design's Ivy Hall in Atlanta.

Excellence in Rehabilitation winners were: William F. Brantley House, Savannah; Second Assistant Keeper's Cottage, Tybee Island; William Barker Whiskey Bonding Barn, Pike County; Harmony Grove Cemetery, Atlanta; South Georgia College's Clower Hall, Coffee County; Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery, Athens; Rourke-Butler Cottage, Tybee Island; Toccoa Historic Commercial District, Stephens County; Heritage Academy, Augusta; Rees Park Economic Development Center and Oak Grove Cemetery, Americus; Savannah State College's Hill Hall, Savannah; 348 Seavy Street, Coweta County; Appling County Courthouse, Baxley; and the Woodson-Dekle House, Thomasville.

Excellence in Preservation Services winners were the Georgia Department of Transportation's Water Witch Project, an underwater archaeological survey to locate a sunken Civil War vessel, Chatham County and NewTown Macon's Historic Marker project, Macon.

Excellence in Stewardship winners were: Whittier Mill Village Association, Atlanta; Madison, Georgia's Newton family for its preservation of the mid 19th-century estate, Boxwood; and Troup County Historical Society, LaGrange.

"This year's winners represent a tremendous dedication to restoring and revitalizing Georgia's historic buildings and communities," said Mark C. McDonald, president of The Georgia Trust. "We are proud to honor such deserving projects and individuals."

For 31 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.

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is one of the country's largest statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. Founded in 1973, the Trust is committed to preserving and enhancing Georgia's communities and their diverse historic resources for the education and enjoyment of all.

The Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund; provides design assistance to 102 Georgia Main Street cities and encourages neighborhood revitalization; trains teachers in 63 Georgia school systems to engage students in discovering state and national history through their local historic resources; and advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts.

For more information about The Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards program visit www.georgiatrust.org.

For More Information Contact
Traci Clark
404-885-7802
706-318-1158 (cell)
tclark@georgiatrust.org

SOURCE The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation