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Thursday, October 16, 2008
Hunting for Atlanta history
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You need only reread comments on this blog, if you can stomach them, to get a general sense of feelings about Atlanta history: history? Huh?
There’s plenty, but it’s not easy to spot during a three-day apartment hunt or on the commute to work, especially when you’re just trying to learn your way around.
That’s why I’m fascinated by the restoration of Ivy Hall.
Atlanta History Center photo dated 1890-1900.
The home was built by Edward C. Peters, a son of a founding family in Atlanta, in 1883 and designed by architect G.L. Norman.
As the story goes, by 2005, it was a wreck.
Savannah College of Art and Design instructors and students preserved the building, making it representative of the time with some modern twists. Best of all, they plan to use it as an academic and community building, not just as a museum that sits empty and immaculate.
A five-part series about the restoration will appear on PBA, Atlanta public TV, starting on Saturday. Preserving buildings doesn’t always make sense, but neither does it make sense to immediately assume it’s not worth it. Certainly, I’m glad the historic sites and spots around the city are there. When it does happen, it’s quite a story — just the stuff history is made of. Newcomers, have you looked for living history? Have you found it? Long-timers, what’s your favorite historic site, old building or way to learn about the past?
Looking for more? Here are some resources.
Georgia State Historic Sites: Focuses on parks and sites around the state.
AJC Insiders’ Guide to Historic Sites: Handy list of attractions to see.
National Register of Historic Places: A nice searchable list of sites, but they’re still digitizing their records.
Ivy Hall, newly finished.
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