The Georgia Trust releases an annual list of endangered historic sites throughout Georgia. The Places in Peril program seeks to identify significant historic, archaeological and cultural properties that are threatened by demolition, deterioration or insensitive public policy or development, and have a demonstrable level of community interest, commitment and support. Through this program, the Trust encourages owners and individuals, organizations and communities to employ preservation tools, partnerships and resources necessary to preserve and utilize selected historic properties in peril.
Historic properties are selected for listing based on several criteria. Sites must be listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or the Georgia Register of Historic Places and must be subject to a serious threat to their existence or historical, architectural and/or archeological integrity. There must also be a demonstrable level of community commitment and support for the preservation of listed sites.
The 2006 Places in Peril list includes:
- Terrell County Courthouse, Dawson
- Auburn Avenue Commercial District, Atlanta
- Andalusia, Milledgeville
- Pasaquan, Marion County, Buena Vista
- Downtown Hartwell
- U.S. Highway 17, Brunswick
- Old Hawkinsville High School
- Ponce de Leon Apartments, Atlanta
- City Mills, Columbus
- Cowen Farmstead, Acworth
The 2007 "Places in Peril" list includes:
- Tybee Island Raised Cottages
- Cherokee Structures, North Georgia
- City Auditorium, Waycross
- Gilmer County Courthouse, Elijay
- Eleanor Roosevelt School, Warm Springs
- Hand Trading Company Building, Pelham
- Herndon Home, Atlanta
- Aluminum Hill Mill Workers' Houses, Eatonton
- Virginia-Highland Neighborhood, Atlanta
- Wren's Nest, Atlanta
The 2008 "Places in Peril" list includes:
- Adam-Strain Building, Darien
- The Castle, Atlanta
- Old Clinton Historic District, Gray
- Cockspur Island Lighthouse, Tybee Island
- Meriwether Ccounty Jail, Greenville
- A.L. Miller Senior High School for Girls, Macon
- Spencer House, Columbus
- Sunbury Historic Colonial Town Site, Sunbury
- Trinity C.M.E. Church, Augusta
- University of Georgia Marine Institute Greenhouse & Administration Building, Sapeo Island
The 2009 "Places in Peril" list includes:
- Battery Backus, Tybee Island
- John Berrien House, Savannah
- Bibb Mill, Columbus
- Campbell Chapel AME Church, Americus
- Crum & Forster Building, Atlanta
- Fort Daniel, Buford
- Mary Ray Memorial School, Newnan-Coweta County
- Metcalfe Township, Thomas County
- Rock House, Thomson
- Sallie Davis House, Milledgeville
The 2010 "Places in Peril" list includes:
- Central State Hospital, Milledgeville
- Paradise Gardens, Summerville
- Morris Brown College, Atlanta
- Canton Grammar School, Canton
- Leake Archaeological Site, Cartersville
- Dorchester Academy, Midway
- Old Dodge County Jail, Eastman
- Ritz Theatre, Thomaston
- Herndon Plaza, Atlanta
- Capricorn Recording Studio, Macon
10 ways to help save Georgia's "Places in Peril":
ATTEND the Trust’s ‘Spotlight’ events to show your support and learn more about the Places in Peril program.
SUPPORT revitalization efforts by becoming a member of The Georgia Trust or your local preservation group.
EMAIL letters to your city officials describing the problem and offering solutions, and copy local news media.
ORGANIZE a Save The Building Day. For properties with heavily deferred maintenance, enlist the help of civic organizations looking for community projects, or organize a volunteer’s clean-up day through your local preservation group.
ADOPT a site. Start a written petition to protect the property. Post a web page for online ‘signatures’ with full name and zip code. Forward the signed petition to local officials.
CREATE a support group of local business people and residents. Organize public meetings. Distribute information about the building you’re trying to protect.
WORK with or form a local historic preservation organization. Keep media and citizens informed of ongoing changes in the property’s status and/or efforts to preserve it. The news media won’t cover every new development, but steady contact will ensure they won’t let it fall off their radar, either.
SHARE the Places in Peril issue of The Rambler electronically by emailing the website link, www.georgiatrust.org, to everyone you know.
ASK a local columnist, television or radio personality to interview elected officials about their views on your adopted Places in Peril site.
DONATE to The Georgia Trust or your local preservation group.
Read more about this topic: Georgia Trust For Historic Preservation