ATLANTA, April 13, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The rich historic culture of Athens, Ga., will be showcased during The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Meeting & Ramble and The State Preservation Conference, from Thursday, April 20, through Sunday, April 23, in the university city.
During the four days, Trust members, preservation experts and others interested in saving Georgia's historic places will attend workshops that will examine the challenges and possible solutions the preservation community is facing -- from teardowns in historic neighborhoods and downtowns to reduced attendance at Georgia's historic sites -- tour private homes of historic significance in the Athens area, and recognize 15 projects throughout the state with awards of excellence for preservation.
The keynote address, "Preservation, Common Sense and Pancakes" will be delivered at Friday morning's plenary session by Dwight Young, the "Back Page" columnist for the 500,000-circulation Preservation magazine published by The National Trust for Historic Preservation. The session starts at 8:45 a.m. in The Classic Center.
Greg Paxton, president and CEO of The Georgia Trust, and Dr. Ray Luce, director of the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, will discuss the "State of the State of Preservation" at Saturday morning's closing plenary and annual meeting of the Trust and the 2006 Preservation Awards ceremony.
Saturday's session will be held at the Morton Theatre, starting at 9 a.m. The Preservation Awards activities are slated to start at 10:30 a.m., also at the Morton.
Georgia Trust Ramblers will have the opportunity on Friday and Saturday afternoon to "ramble" through 22 historic private residences and other historic sites including the home of UGA president Michael Adams, the c. 1830 Camak House, the c.1830/1855 Greek-Revival T.R.R. Cobb House, and the award-winning mixed-use rehabilitated Bottleworks complex.
Other activities are scheduled at the Taylor-Grady House, Tucker Plantation and Ashford Manor.
The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is the country's largest statewide, nonprofit preservation organization with more than 8,000 members.
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 for endangered properties; provides design assistance to 105 Georgia Main Street cities and encourages neighborhood revitalization; trains Georgia's teachers to engage students in 61 Georgia school systems to discover state and national history through their local historic resources; and advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts.
Recently the Trust released its 2006 list of Places In Peril in Georgia. Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2007 list, which will be announced in November 2006.
The Georgia Trust is a recipient of the Trustees Award for Organizational Excellence from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
For more information on The Georgia Trust, please visit www.georgiatrust.org.
Editor's Note: The full schedule of activities is available at www.georgiatrust.org/AM06_program.pdf