Macon Times

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has revealed its 2024 list of endangered sites, spotlighting ten crucial locations across the state facing threats of demolition, neglect, or unsuitable development. The revealed list is part of an ongoing initiative to promote conservation strategies and highlight the state's rich historical and cultural assets.

The president and CEO of the Trust commented on this pressing issue. According to a press release by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, W. Wright Mitchell, President and CEO of the Trust stated: "This is the Trust’s nineteenth annual Places in Peril list. We hope the list will continue to bring preservation solutions to Georgia’s imperiled historic resources by highlighting ten representative sites."

The intent behind releasing such lists was also discussed in detail. According to a press release by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, "Places in Peril" aims to spotlight Georgia's valuable historic and cultural assets, spanning buildings, districts, and archaeological sites endangered by demolition, neglect, or unsuitable development. The initiative prompts action, urging owners, communities, and organizations to employ preservation strategies, financial support, and partnerships to revive and safeguard these historical properties.

Insight into previous efforts towards site restoration was provided as well. According to a press release by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, previous lists featured restored landmarks like the Eleanor Roosevelt School and Cherry Grove Schoolhouse while ongoing efforts include restoring the Adam-Strain Building and the Kit Jones ship alongside preservation work on McConnell-Chadwick House.

A brief account about when this initiative was first established is also necessary for context. According to a press release by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, established in 1973; the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has a mission of conserving the state's diverse historical resources, advocating for preservation laws, managing properties through its Revolving Fund and overseeing educational programs and house museums in Atlanta and Macon.

A detailed list of the endangered sites is revealed as part of this initiative. According to a press release by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the complete list is directly cited as including: "Atlanta Constitution Building in Atlanta (Fulton County); Broad Avenue Elementary in Albany (Dougherty County); Cedar Grove in Martinez (Columbia County); Church of the Good Shepherd in Thomasville (Thomas County); Grace Baptist Church in Darien (McIntosh County); Hogg Hummock on Sapelo Island (McIntosh County); Old First Baptist Church in Augusta (Richmond County); Pine Log Mountain (Bartow County); Piney Grove Cemetery in Atlanta (Fulton County); and Sugar Valley Consolidated School in Sugar Valley (Gordon County)."