Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Presents 24 Statewide Preservation Awards at Ceremony in Cartersville

CARTERSVILLE, Ga., May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation presented 24 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its 37^th annual Preservation Awards ceremony in Cartersville.

Bainbridge City Hall in Bainbridge received the Marguerite Williams Award, presented annually to the project that has had the greatest impact on preservation in the state. Built in the late 1800s, the three buildings that make up the Bainbridge City Hall were recognized for Excellence in Rehabilitation.

Bainbridge City Hall was recognized for its comprehensive rehabilitation that kept its municipal offices downtown, contributing to the revitalization of downtown Bainbridge. The Bainbridge City Hall project provides a compelling example of a municipality that embraced its future without demolishing its past.

The Trust also presented two awards for Excellence in Restoration, sixteen awards for Excellence in Rehabilitation and two awards for Preservation Service.

The Trust presented the Camille W. Yow Volunteer of the Year Award to Karen Huebner of Atlanta. The Mary Gregory Jewett Award for Lifetime Preservation Service was given to Sheffield Hale, President and CEO of the Atlanta History Center. The Housworth-Moseley House in Lithonia received the Chairman's Award, which recognizes extraordinary contributions made to the field of preservation.

The Excellence in Restoration winners were: Oglethorpe County Jail, Lexington, and Smith Plantation Corn Crib, Roswell.

Excellence in Rehabilitation winners were: 108 Lee Street, LaGrange; Ashley Hall at Valdosta State University, Valdosta; B&D Burgers, Savannah; Baldwin Lofts, Milledgeville; Clarkston City Hall Annex, Clarkston; College of Architecture East Architecture Building at Georgia Tech, Atlanta; Collum Hall at Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus; Dining Hall at South Georgia State College, Douglas; Drayton Tower, Savannah; Jesup Railroad Depot, Jesup; Language Hall at Emory University Oxford, Oxford; Levy Jewelers, Savannah; Southern Railway Depot, Lavonia; Sparta Railroad Freight Building, Sparta; Tift, Lewis and Herring Halls at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton; and White Columns, Cartersville.

Preservation Service winners were: Fox Theatre Institute, Atlanta, and Percell and Veronica Kelley, Forsyth.

"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 more than 35 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 largest statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. 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 and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia's 10 "Places in Peril." The Trust helps revitalize downtowns by providing design and technical assistance in 102 Georgia Main Street cities; trains Georgia's 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.

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

Contact:
Traci Clark
404-885-7802
[email protected]

SOURCE The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation