Lemonade Days
April 15-19
Brook Run Park
4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody
The annual festival benefits the Dunwoody Preservation Trust and includes carnival rides, a car and antique show, live music, arts and crafts and a kids’ zone. Information: www.dunwoodylemonadedays.org.
When you think of Dunwoody, you’re more likely to think of that big mall than old farmhouses and cemeteries. That’s unless you are Debbie Fuse, executive director of the Dunwoody Preservation Trust, which is dedicated to protecting the historic buildings and greenspace that remain in this booming city just off Interstate 285.
“Protecting our history and preserving the buildings and valuable resources,” Fuse said, “is crucial to creating a better community.” Fuse talked about the trust’s successes and challenges and its upcoming fundraiser and festival, Lemonade Days, April 15-19. For more on the Dunwoody Preservation Trust and Dunwoody’s history, visit www.dunwoodypreservationtrust.org.
Q: How long have you lived in Dunwoody?
A: My husband and I have been here 17 years. We’re originally from Missouri, by way of Philadelphia and Baltimore. We really like being just about anywhere we want to go in less than 30 minutes, without traffic. Dunwoody really is just a small town within a much larger community, so you have the feel of a small town, with many advantages of a large city.
Q: Why is Dunwoody worth preserving?
A: Because historic places tell the community where it is has come from, sharing its beliefs and hopes. From an economical point of view, cities that keep and protect their historic properties attract more visitors.
Q: What is one thing about Dunwoody that you think would surprise most people?
A: That fewer than 50 years ago, Ashford Dunwoody Road was still a dirt road, that there were still many farms and nothing that you see now existed.
Q: The Dunwoody Preservation Trust was founded in 1995. Was there anything left to preserve or were you too late to the game?
A: Before the trust, three buildings were torn down in the historic village area literally over night – a group of people fought and did manage to save the Railroad House. Our founders, Joyce Amacher and Lynne Byrd, stepped up and organized Dunwoody Preservation Trust to save the Cheek-Spruill Farmhouse, known to most as the Dunwoody Farmhouse. They have continued to work tirelessly in their beliefs that our history is worth saving.
Q: What else have you managed to preserve?
A: We also work with three historic cemeteries and have interest of oversight on a few others located in and around Dunwoody. We are now working with the City of Dunwoody to preserve the Donaldson-Bannister Farm & Cemetery on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. If you look at our website, you will find a driving tour of 17 properties that have been recognized by Dunwoody Preservation Trust as historic sites.
Q: Does Dunwoody have a lot of transplants and do they appreciate the city’s history?
A: Although we do have many people like me who have moved here, many of the original families still live here. As with any transplant, the more you are involved with what’s happening in your city, the more you can appreciate its history. We hope that we can help to educate them through some of our programs so they get involved in the community and develop a true sense of place.
Q: Can you talk a little about Lemonade Days?
A: Lemonade Days is our largest fundraiser of the year and it draws 80,000 to 100,00 people from all over Georgia. It helps pay for our projects and programs and will be helping us fund some of the work that we will be doing on the Donaldson-Bannister Farm & Cemetery.
Q: What is the biggest challenge of your current job?
A: Getting people to know “who” we are and “what” we do.
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