ATHENS, Ga., April 22, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation earlier today presented 16 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its Annual Meeting in this university town.
The Old Brunswick City Hall received the Marguerite Williams Award, presented annually to the project that has had the greatest impact on preservation in the state. The building also received an award in the Excellence in Restoration category.
Brunswick's City Hall was recognized for its comprehensive restoration as well as sensitively constructing an addition that met modern safety and technological demands without detracting from the historic character of the building.
The Trust also presented five awards for Excellence in Restoration, seven awards for Excellence in Rehabilitation, two Stewardship Awards and one for Preservation Service.
Excellence in Restoration winners were: the Dairy Barn and Gazebo at Hardman Farm, Sautee-Nacoochee Valley, Helen; First Assistant Keeper's Cottage, Tybee Island; Hickory Hill, Thomson; Old Brunswick City Hall (the overall award winner), Brunswick; and Sisters Chapel at Spelman College, Atlanta.
Excellence in Rehabilitation winners were: Candler Hall, Athens; Alexandria, Thomson; Double-Cola Bottling Company building (now Vargo Orthodontics), Rome; Irwin Couty Courthouse, Ocilla; Trinity House-Big Bethel, Atlanta; Union Point School, Union Point; and the Vason Building, Madison.
The Atlanta History Center was recognized for its stewardship of the Tullie Smith Farmhouse, and the Chieftains Museum, Inc. was honored for its stewardship of the Major John Ridge Home in Rome.
The Coastal Historical Society was recognized with the Preservation Service Award for its preservation of the Roundhouse Railroad Museum in Savannah.
During the meeting, The Georgia Trust welcomed Mike Starr, former vice-chairman of development, as the organization's new chairman. Starr replaced Ray Christman, who served as the Trust's chairman for two years.
"This year's Annual Meeting has been a great success," said Greg Paxton, president and CEO of The Georgia Trust. "We are especially proud to honor such deserving projects and individuals dedicated to preservation."
For more than 25 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.
With more than 8,000 members, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is the country's largest statewide, nonprofit preservation organization. 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 105 Georgia Main Street cities and encourages neighborhood revitalization; trains teachers in 56 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.
Late last year, the Trust announced its first annual listing of Georgia's 10 Places in Peril. The Georgia Trust is a recipient of the Trustees Award for Organizational Excellence from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
To learn more about The Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards, visit www.georgiatrust.org.
Editors Note: For a more detailed news release on each of the award winners and a high resolution photo of the project, please go to www.georgiatrust.org/pres_winners06.htm.