THE ATLANTA PRESERVATION CENTER’S Phoenix2017 Flies A CELEBRATION OF ATLANTA’S HISTORIC SITES FREE CITY-WIDE EVENTS PRESERVEATLANTA.COM Welcome to Phoenix Flies ust as the Grant Mansion, the home of the Atlanta Preservation Center, was being constructed in the mid-1850s, the idea of historic preservation in America was being formulated. It was the invention of women, specifically, the ladies who came J together to preserve George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The motives behind their efforts were rich and complicated and they sought nothing less than to exemplify American character and to illustrate a national identity. In the ensuing decades examples of historic preservation emerged along with the expanding roles for women in American life: The Ladies Hermitage Association in Nashville, Stratford in Virginia, the D.A.R., and the Colonial Dames all promoted preservation as a mission and as vehicles for teaching contributive citizenship. The 1895 Cotton States and International Exposition held in Piedmont Park here in Atlanta featured not only the first Pavilion in an international fair to be designed by a woman architect, but also a Colonial Kitchen and exhibits of historic artifacts as well as the promotion of education and the arts. Women were leaders in the nurture of the arts to enrich American culture. Here in Atlanta they were a force in the establishment of the Opera, Ballet, and Visual arts. Early efforts to preserve old Atlanta, such as the Leyden Columns and the Wren’s Nest were the initiatives of women. The Atlanta Preservation Center, founded in 1979, was championed by the Junior League and headed by Eileen Rhea Brown. Our mission statement, to preserve Atlanta’s historic and culturally significant assets, reflects the grounding of Preservation within this idea of culture. The National Register of Historic Places, in listing a building recognizes its cultural significance within the context of American history. Today, preservation in Atlanta is often discussed only in terms of its potential for economic development and profit. Development is a vehicle; it is not the purpose of preservation. We are fortunate to be in Georgia, which offers significant economic incentives to certified preservation projects and are also fortunate to have developers and investors who have done much to save and revitalize our historic assets through these programs. In the 2017 Phoenix Flies, we seek to revisit the original concept of historic preserva- tion—to preserve America’s heritage for its own sake and for all the benefits which flow from that effort. To this end, we pay tribute to all the Preservation Partners participating in this year’s festival and to the results of their multi-faceted efforts. We also want to honor 13 Atlanta ladies who have made substantial contributions to the success of preser- vation in our City and beyond. You will read about their efforts in the following pages. Your attendance in our Phoenix Flies festival is a testament to the validity of the intentions of the founding mothers of preservation. You are here because preservation is part of your quality of life, your intellectual and aesthetic interests, your culture; regardless of the economic value of preservation, its true value lies in the everyday impact it has on the lives of all American citizens. F. H. Boyd Coons, Executive Director Atlanta Preservation Center PROGRAM NOTES About Phoenix Flies All events are subject to change or cancellation without notice. All events he Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Atlanta’s are attended at the risk of Historic Sites was created in 2003 by the Atlanta the attendee. Some events Preservation Center as a way to celebrate the 25th require reservations. For Tanniversary of the dramatic rescue of the Fox Theatre, an the most up-to-date infor- event that changed Atlanta’s preservation outlook forever. mation about the Phoenix 2014 is the 11th time that the APC has brought together Flies listings, please go to organizations and individuals from the community to www.PreserveAtlanta.com. demonstrate the value of Atlanta's historic built environ- ment. During its history, the celebration has presented HOW TO USE 1,000+ events and provided 30,000+ free opportunities THIS PROGRAM to experience Atlanta’s rich historic fabric. The Celebra- A description of each tion has grown from 16 Preservation Partners and 40 event, including the date events to 99 Partners and 175+ events. and time, as well as an Atlanta’s historic built environment of buildings, land- address and reservation scapes and neighborhoods is an integral part of the City’s information wherever culture and economy. The Phoenix Flies Celebration provides an opportunity to learn about, celebrate and relevant, can be found in strengthen these assets to the benefit of all. each entry. Descriptions Atlanta was sited in 1837 to serve as a hub for railroads are organized alphabetic- and because of this was assured by geography to be a ally by preservation place of growth and expansion. At the end of the War partner name. in 1865, over half of the City had been burned and its infrastructure destroyed. Nonetheless, in 1868, it became A daily listing of events the State’s Capitol and by the end of Reconstruction in can be found at the end 1877 was physically much larger than its pre-War boun- of this program. All events daries. We now have well over 100 years of buildings, are organized by day and neighborhoods and landscapes which are eligible for time of the event. In this the National Register of Historic Places and worthy of section, you will also see preservation and celebration. Look for National Register an area identifier for each designations in event listings. site. If you are interested in The Phoenix Flies Celebration is an annual program attending multiple events of the Atlanta Preservation Center. If you know of a in the same area, this guide place that should be celebrated, please contact us so that will help identify specific we may consider including it in next year’s program. events in various areas around the city. Please visit us online at www.PreserveAtlanta.com for additional events and updated information. All Phoenix Flies is a product of the Atlanta Preservation events are subject to Center. Program design by Mark Ziemer. Cover photo change or cancellation of the L.P. Grant Mansion by James Rowalt. without notice. All events are attended at the risk of the attendee. Some events require reservations. 2017 PHOENIX FLIES About the Atlanta TRUSTEES & STAFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Howell E. Adams III, President Preservation Center Arch Davis, Vice President Lisa Hinson, Secretary Shepard Ansley, Treasurer The Atlanta Preservation Center (APC) was established as the City’s first private EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR non-profit preservation organization. F. H. Boyd Coons Founded in 1979, the Atlanta Preservation Center BOARD OF TRUSTEES has spent the last 38 years advocating for the City of Howell E. Adams III Atlanta’s historic resources and places through the Sally Kinard Bayless means of education. Suzanne R. Gwynn As an agency for coordination, knowledge, research Lisa M. Hinson Thornton Kennedy and advocacy for preservation in the City, the APC Jacquelynne P. Lanham works with government, business and community Mary L. Leslie leaders and individuals to preserve endangered resi- David Y. Mitchell dential and commercial structures, neighborhoods Amanda Rhein and landscapes. These collective efforts have lent the Ian Michael Rogers local and national designation of Historic Districts, Barbara B. Slick such as Fairlie-Poplar, Auburn Avenue, and Grant HONORARY TRUSTEES Park, and in protecting and redeveloping individual Shepard Ansley buildings and structures including, but not limited Jean Astrop to, Ivy Hall, The Castle, the Georgia Terrace, the Bilt- Dameron Black III more, and, most recently, the Medical Arts Building Timothy J. Crimmins Arch Davis on Peachtree. Visit our website to learn more about Bryan M. Grant III APC’s current advocacy projects. Nowland B. Gwynn II Through its Heritage Education programs, the Rep. John Lewis Atlanta Preservation Center provides thoughtful James McManus preservation education for youth and adults of all Leon R. Robbins ages. Our programs focus on a range of 11 guided Elizabeth Morgan Spiegel Chrissie Stevens Wayt walking tours throughout various Atlanta neighbor- Rainey Rembert Woodward hoods, and interactive classroom presentations and Mtamanika Youngblood lectures focused on architecture, urban planning, and civics for students K-12. STAFF The Atlanta Preservation Center has used the 1856 F. H. Boyd Coons Executive Director LP Grant Mansion as its headquarters since 2001, when we started to restore the long-neglected structure to its Nicole Sophia De Vera Schmitz Interim Phoenix Flies Coordinator; former glory as the oldest and most historic building in Coordinator of Grants, Education, Atlanta. You may learn more about the APC’s preserva- and Tours tion efforts through our website, social media outreach, Ruth L. Middleton and newsletters throughout the year. Membership Coordinator Gabrielle N. K. Dean Join the Atlanta Preservation Center today! Administrative Assistant You can be a part of saving, shaping, and Beth Cook enjoying Atlanta’s heritage! Just fill out the Accountant form on the right-hand page. Paul Hammock Digital Media Coordinator Carole M. Schenck Phoenix Flies Coordinator 2 ATLANTA PRESERVATION CENTER A Celebration of Atlanta’s Historical Sites Membership Levels and BenefitsMEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP LEVELS