60th Annual Preservation Awards (Part 2): Volunteer Recognition, Community Stewardship, the Columbus Historic District, and High Uptown
Today's Spotlight celebrates ten of the awards presented on Tuesday, October 6th at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. It was a wonderful evening to honor over 30 individuals and projects that have made our community a better place. This week, we are highlighting awards for volunteer recognition, community stewardship, as well as the preservation awards for projects located within the Columbus Historic District, and High Uptown.
These individuals, businesses, and organizations have opened their homes, volunteered their time, improved their neighborhoods, educated the public on our local history, and have taken on the long, challenging, and deeply rewarding work of preserving our historic places and telling our community’s stories.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION, COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP, AND HISTORY EXHIBITS
In April, we officially kicked off our 60th anniversary with A Night at the Ranch. It was a celebration of 60 years of historic preservation, one of Columbus’ most significant historic sites – Green Island Ranch, and two women who have been instrumental in this organization – Mary Bradley and Sally Hatcher.
Nora and Gardiner Garrard and Bob and Cally Dixon opened their homes to over 300 patrons who were treated to an intimate cocktail reception at the Garrards and then to a beautiful dinner on the lawn at the Dixons. It was a special night thanks to their generosity and the hard work of the committee that put this successful event together. Margaret McCormick, served as chairman for both A Night at the Ranch and our 60th Anniversary. She was joined by an incredible committee - Tom Bowden, Kathleen Gallops, Chris Harman, Martha Hatcher, and Catherine Trotter - who brought their time and talents to make this evening perfect. It was our great honor to thank all who made A Night at the Ranch possible.
Living Mosaic Collective is a grass roots organization that began with the shared focus of turning the vacant property of the former Jordan Mill site on Warm Springs Road into a community garden and art space. Since their first workday in March, the volunteers of Living Mosaic Collective have made tremendous progress in not only cleaning up and beautifying this section of the Warm Springs Road Corridor but also establishing a thriving garden for the benefit of the Jordan Johnson neighborhood and others. Historic Columbus is beyond grateful for their hard work and passion for their community.
Midtown, Inc. has also championed two community improvement projects this past year – the landscape beautification at Sarling Park and the Midtown Children’s Bicycle Playground at Dinglewood Park. Neighborhood enhancement and strengthening sense of place are at the core of Midtown’s mission. These two projects showcase the organization’s commitment to bringing neighbors and members of the community together.
The Columbus Museum for the creation of three recent exhibits that celebrate the history of our community.
Georgia’s Fall Line highlighted the key role that manufacturing, textile mills, and the U.S. military played in the Fall Line cities of Augusta, Macon, and Columbus, as well as the importance of trade and transportation.
Columbus at Play explores how Chattahoochee Valley residents have enjoyed games and recreation over the past 200 years.
Circa 1776 brings together objects created within 25 years on either side of the founding of the United States, offering a focused look at the people, materials, and ideas that shaped the early Republic.
Historic Columbus is grateful to The Columbus Museum for providing a consistent and fresh look at our community’s collective history.
COLUMBUS HISTORIC DISTRICT
The father and son team of Larry and Shaun Bussey have been preserving historic structures in Columbus for more than three decades. 245 6th Street, located in the Columbus Historic District, is another example of a great single-family home brought back to life. Larry and Shaun have a great vision for this work and have even more in the pipeline. Historic Columbus is excited to see what’s next on their list.
Built in 1840, the historic Wells-Bagley House (22 6th Street) is one of the oldest homes in Columbus. This modified Greek Revival residence served for many years as the offices of the Columbus Jaycees. Following a thorough renovation, the house is now a stunning single-family home once again. Lee Foster and Greg Sudmeier’s work has beautifully preserved its historic character while thoughtfully adapting it for modern living.
The John McIlheney house (524 Broadway) was moved by Historic Columbus in the early days of the organization. Originally located at 944 Second Avenue, the house was under threat of demolition in 1983. Since that time, the house has had many incredible owners. Kathy Rizzo’s recent and comprehensive renovation of the home is a great example of how these historic homes continue to serve their owners well over 150 years. Thanks to Kathy and her investment in keeping this beautiful historic home in prime condition.
The Pemberton Country Home was originally located four miles north of town and served as the home of Dr. John Pemberton, the originator of the formula of Coca-Cola, from 1860-1869. Moved to 712 Broadway in the mid-1980s, the home would serve as a tearoom and then an engineer’s office for many years. Charlene recently purchased the house and has completed a top to bottom renovation thanks to local contractor, Teymur Etemadi. 712 Broadway is now a beautiful addition to the Broadway streetscape. Historic Columbus is grateful to Charlene Riikonen and her investment in this historic property.
Left vacant and abandoned for many years, the house at 620 First Avenue has been totally renovated by Javier and his team over the course of the last few years. The home is a simplified Greek Revival style built in the 1860’s that has undergone a variety of residential uses over its lifetime. One of the larger homes located in the Columbus Historic District, this house is once again a gift to the street. Historic Columbus is grateful to Zuma Properties and excited to witness the next chapter for this beautiful historic home.
HIGH UPTOWN
Continuing their work to restore some of the last remaining houses in the High Uptown Historic District, James and Symone Alexander have done great work at 1619 3rd Avenue. The Alexanders own all three of the houses in this block and have overcome major challenges to bring this house back to its original beauty. Now, they have set their sights on the remaining house at 1621 3rd Avenue. Historic Columbus is grateful to James and Symone for their unwavering efforts to preserve these houses in the High Uptown Historic District.
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