Category Archives: Historic Preservation

See, Save, and Celebrate!

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historic preservation

May is National Historic Preservation month and this year’s theme is See, Save, and Celebrate!  Having completed my masters in August and not currently working in a traditional historic preservation job- I’ve been feeling a little out of the historic preservation loop lately. It seems fitting that today I realized that it is National Preservation Month.

Reading the National Trust Organization’s press release about #presmonth reminded me that it doesn’t really matter if you are a “Preservationist” (proper), to make an impact. Usually the people that cause the most change or have the biggest impact are citizens with a genuine interest or passion for a historic building or landscape. One of the reasons I started this blog was to share interesting historic buildings and sites I discover on the road and to remind myself and others of how much there is to see in our own “backyards.”  If one person sees something they like on the blog and shares it with someone else then I am accomplishing my goal (slowly but surely).

Needwood Baptist Church

Needwood Baptist Church- Brunswick, GA

Needwood Baptist Church is one of my favorite buildings near my hometown of St. Simons Island, Georgia.

needwood baptist

This site is intriguing to me because so few of the vernacular structures of this era are still standing in Glynn County.  It’s amazing to me that this church and the neighboring school house are mostly unharmed except for damage due to age and neglect.  I love double tower church types too- the asymmetry is so unique.  I’m not sure what the solution is to “save” this site but I’m sharing it with y’all in hopes that you can see it.

There are so many beautiful and unique historic places in the South and beyond; if people don’t know about them, then they can’t celebrate them, and ultimately they can’t save them.  So this month- get out there and see, save, and celebrate!

Here are some #presmonth ideas proposed by the National Trust to get you goin’

Community Service Opportunities: Possible projects might include a clean-up day at a local house museum or along a historic Main Street. Consider partnering with other local nonprofit organizations in your area to sponsor the event. This will allow you to forge new relationships to build on in the future and will also provide an opportunity to attract new volunteers that may not be familiar with your organization or site.

Demonstration Projects: Many people who own a historic property enjoy learning more about restoration techniques and new products. Consider hosting lectures, workshops, or demonstrations for historic home owners. Topics might include how to select appropriate paint colors, proper methods to repair older windows, plant choices for historic garden styles, or ideas for improving energy efficiency in older homes.

Special Events: Host building tours, open houses, living history events, and special exhibits for your members and potential new members or supporters. Sponsor a photography contest and post the photos on your website or ask folks to send in letters about their favorite local landmark. Don’t forget to take advantage of social media. Encourage attendees to use Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to share photos or spread the word. The official hashtag for Preservation Month 2013 is #presmonth.

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Sunday funday

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Switching it up a little today with a video!  Had a great time hangin’ at the Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham this weekend.  Historic preservation, neighborhood revitalization and beer… of course they go together.  Stay tuned for more!

Maison Blanche

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I am a newlywed.  It is still strange saying it or typing it.  You plan and talk about this event everyday for months and then when the time comes…it flies by.  I never actually believed people when they said it goes by fast but wow!  During these past few weeks I’ve been oogling our wedding photos done by the amazing Sarah DeShaw.  They are so beautiful and I have enjoyed reliving all the little moments that are such a blur to me now.

bridesmaids

As one of my “something borrowed” and “something old” pieces I wore my great grandmother’s mink stole during the ceremony over my gown.  I noticed in one of the photos the label in the mink read, Maison Blanche New Orleans.  Having an affinity for the “finer things” like antiques and vintage clothing, I had to do some digging about this store.

mink stole

Image Sarah DeShaw Photography

I found out quite a bit!  New Orleanians flocked to Maison Blanche for its opening day on Oct. 30, 1897. The grand department store on Canal Street employed 600 workers and had a selling space of 60,580 square feet, according to The Daily Picayune.

Original Maison Blanche building

Located at the corner of Canal and Dauphine streets, the original Maison Blanche building was heralded as a palace by The Daily Picayune, which dubbed it “the finest department store in the South.” The paper reported that the store was executed “with more daring and on a more superb scale than anything yet attempted in this city or in any Southern city.”
Maison Blanche

Image: New Orleans Magazine
Original Maison Blanche building

After doing more research, I found out that the ornate original 2nd Empire building was merely a placeholder on the block for the owners of the Maison Blanche Department store owners- the Shwartz-Isaacs company.  They envisioned a modern skyscraper- creating a massive and comprehensive shopping experience that would entice travelers to choose New Orleans, rather than New York, as a shopping destination.  The original Maison Blanche store opened on Canal Street in 1897.  Construction on the new building began in 1906 and lasted until 1909.

After the original building was replaced by a gleaming new Beaux-Arts building in the early 20th century, the store housed non-retail ventures as well. New Orleanians grew up going to the doctor’s or dentist’s office in the Maison Blanche building. The city’s first radio station, WSMB, was founded in 1925 and made its home on the 13th floor.

Maison Blanche

new Maison Blanche building constructed in early 1900s

Maison Blanche

Easter Hat window display

The owners of the department store had accomplished their goal of creating an enormous department store that rivaled the opulence and extravagance of the famed Bergdorff Goodman store in New York.  Maison Blanche was sold to several chains over its history, until it was acquired by Dillard’s. The store was shuttered for good soon after, in the summer of 1998. In 2000, the Ritz-Carlton hotel moved into the building and is still there today.

Although the gorgeous original building did not survive, it is encouraging that its predecessor is still in the flagship location and is still being used today.

I’ve often thought about what it would be like to spend time with my great grandmother as an adult…how fun it would be to step back in time and go peruse the designer millinery shop on the second floor and have lunch with her at the MB Rendevous Restaurant.  Those days of extravagance are long gone for most but it is fun to daydream about shopping in such a store.

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Greensboro

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Historic Greensboro

Downtown Greensboro GA circa 1895

The reign of King Cotton in the early 19th century facilitated the growth of many small towns in the Southern region of the United States.  Greensboro, Georgia, founded in 1803, became the hub of economic growth and the commercial center of Greene County. Fifty years after its founding, Greene became Georgia’s largest cotton-producing county. In 1838, responding to the need to transport the region’s ever-growing crop, the Georgia Railroad reached Greensboro, cementing the city’s status as the county’s commercial center.  By 1854 the town had its own cotton mill, the Greenesboro Manufacturing Company. The merchant class that profited from this commerce became the town’s elite.  After the Civil War and boll weevil devastation, Greensboro declined economically as did most of the once prosperous cotton kingdoms.

Once at the heart of the rich cotton belt and the center of Georgia commerce, downtown Greensboro has been slowly establishing itself as a regional destination for beautiful architecture, antiques, art, and local food.  Living in nearby Athens, visiting Greensboro makes an excellent day trip to relax, shop, and eat.  Check out my favorites!

greensboro antique mall

The Greensboro Antique Mall is located in the former Big Store of 1860, owned by local banker and merchant Mr. Charles Davis.  The Big Store was the largest goods emporium between Atlanta and Augusta and boasted that they sold everything “from the cradle to the grave.”  Not a whole lot has changed since then.  The Greensboro Antique Mall has been in business since 1994 and its 11,000 square feet space is full of vintage treasures collected by 50 different dealers.

antiquesvintage bottlesvintage hairdryergriswold cast ironvintage coffee canold mason jardemitasse cups

The shop is so enormous and full of unique items one could spend all day here.  After antiquing…take a respite down the street at the Yesterday Cafe for some sweet tea and comfort food.

yesterday cafe

This family owned restaurant is located on Main Street a few doors down from the antique mall.  They have just about every classic southern dish you can imagine from fried green tomatoes to country fried steak….and don’t forget the buttermilk pie (featured in Southern Living).

image courtesy Two Old Ladies on the road

image courtesy Two Old Ladies on the road

I can’t ever leave Greensboro without a stop at the local Ripe Thing Market to pick up some goodies for the road.  This gourmet shop is full of local prepared foods, local meat and seafood, produce, ice cream, candy, and more.  They also have tons of samples so you can try a variety of items before purchasing.  I’m a huge fan of their homemade preserves, hoop cheese, and hibiscus tea.  They are open 7 days a week and their staff is so friendly and helpful.

image courtesy O'Brien Family Farms

image courtesy O’Brien Family Farms

These are just a few things to see and do in the charming town of Greensboro, Georgia!  Ever been there?  If so, what are some of your favorites?

Sunday funday photo

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christmas in cobbham athens ga

photo credit Ryan Hines

The Christmas in Cobbham event was a huge success!  This photograph was taken in the entry of what is believed to be Athens, Georgia’s oldest high style gothic house built in 1860.  Note the incredible Ogee arch in the foyer and the alternating walnut and white oak flooring.  So beautiful!  For more information about the Cobbham Historic District in Athens visit this link.

Sunday funday photo

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crawford long museumJefferson, Georgia’s town mural: celebrating the first use of anesthesia and its inventor, local Jeffersonian Crawford Long.  Quite possibly the strangest town mural in existence…

crawford long museumEther bunny anyone?  If you’re ever in Jefferson- check out the Crawford Long Museum gift shop :)