Once again, this time regarding historic Friendship Baptist Church, Atlantans are witnessing a lack of preservation consciousness in our City. For over a decade the APC has advocated for preservation in this neighborhood with successful efforts to prevent the demolition of the historic Paschal’s building and with the local designation of Sunset Avenue.  Proposals to include the area in which Friendship Baptist Church is situated during the efforts to create the Castleberry Hill Landmark District were thwarted.  The proposal of a Civil Rights trail which would highlight the unique historic assets of the City’s west side has been discounted.  When preservation is not considered as part of planning a major project – such as the new stadium – this kind of controversy is the inevitable result.  This is the direct effect of the way in which our City encourages redevelopment.

When the Atlanta Preservation Center has undertaken its most strenuous defenses of our historic assets, the efforts have been supported by previous local designation, zoning, or listings.  In the case of Friendship Baptist Church, had the preservation community been given the opportunity to participate in the planning process for the stadium project, an assessment of the historic assets within the area impacted by the project would have been one of the basic steps in planning.  As it now stands, the fate of this historic church building is in the hands of the congregation, the City and the developers of the project.

The building does not enjoy the protection of either local designation or specialized zoning. As far as the APC is aware, there is no effort to compel the congregation to destroy the historic building. The Atlanta Preservation Center would applaud an outcome where the potential for proceeding with the stadium project would accommodate the continued existence of the historic church building and its congregation.

Volunteer Guide with Guided Walking Tour of Grant Park

“Who you Gonna Call?”—After coping with the idiosyncrasies of a “historic” (more than a dozen years) telephone system, the APC staff knew that a complete replacement was in order.  But with a limited budget and minimal telephonic purchasing expertise, how would we determine what system would be appropriate?

Enter Bill Cook, an AT&T retiree who has wired and patched and cajoled APC’s electronic elements for many years.  With his guidance, expertise and hours of donated labor, the APC now sports a modern communication system that enables the staff to better serve callers’ needs.

Our phone (404-688-3353) and fax (404-688-3357) numbers and extensions were “preserved,” while our recorded messages and usage features were enhanced, all for an affordable price.

APC sincerely thanks Bill for his assistance with this critical upgrade.

Finalé at the Fox—As of April 1, 2013 the Fox Theatre is conducting tours themselves. The APC had provided these tours for roughly 30 years. We would like to acknowledge the generosity and dedication of our many volunteer guides who supported this APC program. Special thanks to Gene Ramsey who led tours for 30 years (he still leads Ansely Park tours), to Steve and Cathy Vogel who served as guides at the Fox for 25 years, and to Joe Myers who, as a board member of both organizations, served to make symbiosis possible for many years.

Super Sherpa—The APC Board of Trustees provides a broad range of professional assistance to the organization. James McManus serves as our Technology Sherpa.  In this capacity James keeps the office’s computers and peripherals under control, often working after hours to minimize disruption, always with a smile and patience for the staff and a kind word for Agnes Dunbar the Preservation Cat.  Salute to our Sherpa!

Phoenix Flies Volunteers—Thank you to Sally Bayless, Paula and Eric Blechner, Mike Canfield, Glenda Hamilton, Erin O’Bryant,  Dan Knapp, Mary and Dick Leslie, Molly McLamb, Jeff Morrison, Jean Spencer, Cathy Vogel and all of APC’s tour guides for their efforts during Phoenix Flies. Whether they led a tour, answered the phone, took reservations, managed a buffet or painted a ceiling, their time and talents made the Phoenix Flies run smoothly.

Would You Like to Volunteer?—APC needs volunteers to be tour guides, help manage special events and tackle office work projects. If you would like to get more information about being a tour guide, contact Director of Education Paul Hammock at 404-688-3353 ext. 13 or Paul@PreserveAtlanta.com. If you would like information about other volunteer opportunities please contact Marge Hays, Membership and Administration, at 404-688-3353 ext. 10 or Marge@PreserveAtlanta.com.

This post was first published as part of the APC’s Preservation Times, the full issue is available here.

Box City in Action

The Atlanta Preservation Center’s education program, Box City® is featured in this month’s American City and County. APC’s work was the focus of the Across America section of this publication for city and county management professionals.

In the May 2013 issue, Program is Building for the Future describes the steps used by the Box City® program to teach preservation, city planning and zoning. It also sites the mission of the APC and acknowledges the public monies from the City of Atlanta, Office of Cultural Affairs and the Fulton County Arts Council that the APC receives to provide this program to school age children. Accents to the article include a great quote from a 7^th grader and several color photographs of Box City® in action.

Building "Construction" during Box City

The article was submitted for publication to American City and County by APC Education Director Paul Hammock. It is fortunate that it was accepted for publication and apropos that it will reach the public during Preservation Month.

To read the article, click here.

In case you do not “Yahoo!” here is a link to John Tures’ article “Atlanta’s Pre-Civil War Mansion That Was Saved By and Apron,” Yahoo! Contributor Network – Friday, June 7, 2013.

APC thanks Mr. Tures for his interest in the LP Grant Mansion and for letting the public know of its unusual providence.

In December 2001, the Atlanta Preservation Center purchased Atlanta’s most significant and endangered house, the antebellum Lemuel P. Grant Mansion in the Grant Park Historic District. With this purchase, APC furthered its mission since without APC’s action this historically significant house would have been demolished to build two new homes.

The three-story, Italianate mansion was built in 1856 by Lemuel Pratt Grant (1817-1893), a city pioneer, railroad magnate and philanthropist who donated 100 acres to the city for Grant Park. Surviving the Civil War, the house was the 1902 birthplace of golf legend Robert Tyre “Bobby” Jones and was at one time a passion of Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone with the Wind.

Restoration and reconstruction of the home are ongoing. The APC uses the site for its offices and for exhibitions related to Atlanta’s history.

The latest edition of the Atlanta Preservation Center’s Preservation Times is now available on line. The PDF of Volume 31, No 1 is available here.

Highlights of this edition are:

• Ginny Rather Remembrance
• Advocacy Updates
• Event News
• Preservation Month Activites
• Volunteer & Donor Recognition

Preservation Times is the printed newsletter of the Atlanta Preservation Center. Produced several times per year, it includes information about preservation events, accomplishments and issues. This newsletter is mailed to APC members.