Summer Intern Perspective -Elaine Sullivan

A corner of the potential Historic District we surveyed.

My time at Historic Macon Foundation has been filled with many different learning opportunities and experiences. There were historic tax credits, a National Register district survey, easements, and various field trips to name a few. Most of all, I was given to opportunity to see how effective HMF is at preservation and revitalization throughout the area. I was initially drawn to Historic Macon Foundation because of how active it seemed to be within the preservation scene locally. The idea of revitalizing the community with the goal of encouraging renewed and diverse neighborhoods was something that I was most excited about and hoped to be a part of.

One of the little glimpses into Macon’s history and revitalization I was given the opportunity to experience was in the form of a biking tour brochure. The whole concept was based on bringing attention to the Industrial District and the history it had to offer.

In honor of my Railroad Depot research, here's the engine at the entrance to Central City Park.

For this project, a particular topic I took an interest in involved the vast amount of railways and depots that were once a part of the area and how it shaped the landscape. Since the railroads are an integral part of Macon’s history, I enjoyed learning the history behind all of the rail lines and depot locations. Observing how the commerce of the area worked hand in hand with the railroads to become the backbone of Macon’s economy made me excited for what the future of preservation and revitalization of the Industrial District has to hold.

If I’ve learned anything at HMF, it's the power of taking an opportunity to intentionally hone your effort to research and preserve history. A little encouragement and knowledge goes a long way.

The City Directories, aka the only books I looked at in the library.

Mill Hill: The Art of Revitalizing a Neighborhood

Michael Phillips, Historic Macon's Preservation Carpenter, prepares for work in Mill Hill

For the first time in our 52 year history, we are working simultaneously in two (three, if you count Downtown), neighborhoods. Our experience taught us that focusing on neighborhoods block by block, street by street, house by house bears the most impact on revitalization. We’ve seen this success in Hugenin Heights, Tattnall Square Heights, and now Beall’s Hill. That being said, when opportunities present themselves to do more good, we’re always interested.  

In 2012 I spoke on a panel at a statewide preservation conference in Kentucky. One of the other panelists spoke about how Paducah, KY had married arts and neighborhood revitalization with splendid results. That session always stuck with me knowing that artists have pushed the boundaries of revitalization in cities across the country.

Last year, a contingent of Maconites visited Bradenton, Florida. From that visit, the Mill Hill Arts Village was first conceived. Since 1999 Bradenton’s Village of the Arts (VOTA) has been wildly successful by creating a thriving community of residents and businesses that support a creative spirit. True to Macon’s entrepreneurial spirit, the delegation quickly set to work creating a similar arts endeavor in our community.

As with all successful ventures, Mill Hill: East Macon Arts Village is a partnership. HMF was invited to participate to develop the housing portion of Mill Hill. Our organization will do what we do best –fix up dilapidated houses and bring back vibrancy to the area. Thankfully we’ve been able to hire an additional staff member, Michael Philips, who is overseeing our work in the neighborhood. Sabrinna Cox has also joined our staff as the new Preservation Designer. Under the leadership and direction of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the Macon Arts Alliance we are bound to succeed.  

I hope this isn’t the first time you’ve heard about Mill Hill. This may be the first you’ve heard about HMF’s involvement, but you’ll hear more as construction continues in earnest this summer. We anticipate completing the first phase of three houses by the end of April and will host a walking tour in May for National Preservation Month.  

Needless to say, it’s thrilling for HMF to be working in concert with the Macon Arts Alliance and the UDA on a new endeavor in East Macon. More importantly, we’re excited to demonstrate a new approach to neighborhood revitalization, one that capitalizes on creativity. The East Macon Arts Village is one more example of how successful we can be as a community, when organizations collaborate. 

The Not-so Fading Five

It’s hard to believe that it has been almost an entire year since Historic Macon Foundation opened nominations for our inaugural endangered places list, Macon’s Fading Five. But what a year it has been! When we first asked for public input, we had no idea what an impact listing these properties would have on our community. In the first list, Macon’s Fading Five helped all four individual properties listed find new owners who are interested in rehabilitating those buildings so future generations can continue to enjoy them. As we prepare to open nominations again, only the Cotton Avenue District will remain on the list from last year.

Many preservation organizations have endangered property lists, but it can sometimes be hard to see what impact listing really has on those places. Not so with Macon’s Fading Five. Take for example, the Bonnybrae-Bedgood House, historically known as the Scott-Johnston House.

Bonnybrae-Bedgood House at 1073 Georgia Avenue

This soaring Greek Revival structure had been on the market for years when it was announced as part of the inaugural Macon’s Fading Five list. As new, sensitive owners purchased almost every other high-style mansion in the College Hill Corridor, this house continued to be a highly visible eyesore on the edge of downtown. It seemed the once renowned Bonnybrae would never find a new owner, much less one who wanted to use this structure for its original purpose – a family’s home.

Then came the first announcement of Macon’s Fading Five, including the Bonnybrae-Bedgood House. Within days, a local family expressed interest in acquiring the property, not as an office space, which many people believed was the only viable use for this sprawling structure, but as their home.  That interest turned into a purchase, and today the owners are undertaking an incredible project to restore this home to its former glory utilizing historic tax credits.

The Bonnybrae-Bedgood House would not have ever been listed in Macon’s Fading Five, and thus found its new owners, if someone had not taken the time to fill out the Fading Five nomination form. Nominations to this year’s Fading Five are live, and we encourage everyone to participate if they know of an important place in Macon in need of preservation. And if you don’t believe something as simple as filling out an online nomination can help with Macon’s revitalization, well, we’d encourage you to just drive down Georgia Avenue, and see what impact you can have for yourself.

Steals, Deals, & Unreals

The College Hill Corridor is full of steals, deals and unreals. And Historic Macon properties are no exception. Historic Macon actively fulfills its mission of preserving our community by preserving architecture and sharing history through targeted neighborhood revitalization. Meaning we work in a concentrated geographic area, rehabbing houses and building in-fill housing on vacant lots block-by-block and street-by-street.

This approach means our organization offers housing options for everyone. We are a non-profit that is committed to providing a diversity of housing options to increase the number of owner-occupants living in Macon’s historic neighborhoods. We offer beautifully rehabilitated historic homes with modern finishes, including new plumbing and HVAC systems. All at affordable prices.

Did we mention that all of our properties in Beall’s Hill are eligible for Mercer University’s down-payment assistance program? And that every Historic Macon comes with 2 bicycles through the Bikes for Beall’s Hill program? Just a few extra deals to make our properties steals that are unreal.

If you’re interested in purchasing a property from Historic Macon or just want to want to learn more about our mission-related work, sign up for our monthly real estate eBlast call "Steals, Deals, & Unreals". We’ll keep you up to date on purchasing information, projects under construction and the many benefits of buying from Historic Macon.

Sign up here!

Favorite Things: Ash Street Edition

We all are familiar with “favorite things.” From Oprah’s annual favorite things list to Maria Von Trapp’s infinity for “raindrops on roses,” making a list of your favorite things is like writing your Christmas list, but better. Historic Macon decided to make a list of our favorite things about the four newly constructed Beall’s Hill homes on Ash Street. Obviously, we could talk all day about our favorite things on each of these houses, but we’ve narrowed it down to one favorite thing for each property.

1304 Calhoun Street – Open Concept Plan

There are so many things I love about this open concept space that I don’t even know where to begin. First, let’s talk about the white and gray granite countertops in the kitchen. These countertops enhance the contemporary design features of this home, especially with the added polished brass accents. Second, that light fixture will look amazing with a mid-century modern dining room table, or any table for that matter. Finally, it’s refreshing at times to have white walls to serve as an empty canvas for all the photos, arts, and accents you will add to make this house your home.

932 Ash Street – Kitchen Cabinets

Forget the wood-stained or white kitchen cabinets. These gray cabinets are absolutely stunning. Not only do these kitchen cabinets make a bold statement in the kitchen, but they offer a lot of storage space. Whether you use your kitchen while channeling your inner Julia Child or while dialing your favorite take-out place, this kitchen will easily accommodate.

924 Ash Street – Tile

All of our houses incorporate modern design trends, and this bathroom is no exception with the use of subway tile. This entire house has a more contemporary approach to its design elements, and here in the Master Bath, white subway tile with a darker grout definitely adds to the contemporary aesthetic.

1311 Jackson Street – Porches

Yes, you read that correctly: “porches” as in more than one. There’s the front porch, a side screened-in porch, and a back porch. What could you do with all those porches? The possibilities are absolutely endless. I for one would use the screened in porch for spring cocktail hour, where you won’t have to worry about pesky mosquitoes annoying you. The back porch is a great spot for a grill, and the front porch is definitely a statement piece for all visitors coming through the front door.

Interested in touring these houses to make your own favorite things list? Contact Historic Macon today to schedule a tour.

Cotton Avenue Roll

The Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center was abuzz with activity early on Saturday morning. Over 30 people of all ages and backgrounds came out to the Center to learn more about an important aspect of Macon’s history. Certainly the H&H fried chicken biscuits and bacon jam were enough to lure attendees out of their beds during the weekend, but that was only a minor reason to venture to 626 Spring Street on February 27.

Attendees began arriving 30 minutes early to ensure their names were on the list to board a trolley that would take them around DT Walton Sr. Way, formerly known as Cotton Avenue. Historic Macon hosted the Cotton Avenue trolley tour to promote the publication of its first walking tour brochure. In many ways it is fitting that the first walking tour brochure’s subject is Cotton Avenue District. This area of Macon offered a lot of historical landmarks to our community. For instance, Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church is the oldest African American church in Georgia and purportedly the second oldest African American church in North America. Charles H. Douglass became the wealthiest African American in Macon, and one of the wealthiest individuals in Macon, during the early twentieth century. He built his home on Cotton Avenue in midst of the historic African American business district in late nineteenth century but today his home no longer stands. Just a few blocks from the site of the Douglass House, Otis Redding and the Walden brothers established the first integrated office in Macon, Redwal Music Co. in the 1960s. After Otis Redding’s death in 1967, the building would become home to Capricorn Records and make the Allman Brothers Band, an integrated band, famous.

To celebrate the launch of Historic Macon’s Cotton Avenue District walking tour brochure, Historic Macon hosted a trolley tour that began and ended at the Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center. The trolley tour took attendees around the area covered in the walking tour brochure and dropped them off for interior tours of some of the stops in the brochure. Attendees were able to step inside Steward AME Chapel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a speech to 600 people in the pouring rain. They journeyed beyond the construction wall at the former Capricorn office building and learned about this building’s use as an African American Elks Lodge before Otis Redding and the Walden brothers began recording music. They entered some of the oldest houses of worship for Macon’s African American population, including the First Baptist Church and Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church. All while learning about the businesses and people who contributed to Macon’s history and the ongoing fight for racial equality.

The attendance during the Cotton Avenue Roll is a testament to our community’s interest in the significant cultural resource of Cotton Avenue District. The tour and brochure are opportunities for our community to learn more about and celebrate the legacy of this historic district. It’s also an opportunity for Historic Macon to raise awareness about the importance of this area that is currently under intense development pressure.

We hope you’ll take the time to pick up a brochure from the Sidney Lanier Cottage, the Ruth Hartley Memorial Women’s Center, or the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Take the time to walk down DT Walton Sr. Way, taste soul food at H&H, and look at the buildings that are still standing and the footprints of those that have been torn down. Share your favorite finds with us on social media using #maconispreservation.

591 D.T. Walton Sr. Way

What? The Walton Building
Where? 591 D.T. Walton Sr. Way

The Story: The Walton Building, and the street it sits on, is named for Dr. D.T. Walton Sr., a local dentist and prominent Civil Rights activist. This building housed the epitome of successful African American business in the area. Multiple businesses were housed in the building from the original Dewit Walton the dentist to Dixie Tobacco and Candy. However, the building truly flourished thanks to the Dixon John Radio Service and J L Montgomery Home Art Supply bringing city wide recognition to the district and this building in particular.

Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church

What? Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church

Where? 939 Washington Ave.

The Story: This church is probably the oldest African American Presbyterian Church in Georgia. Its congregation formed in 1838, and they started building the first wooden structure on this site in 1869. The congregation selected the steep slope of this site intentionally, so that the new church could have a basement. That first structure was completed around 1875. In 1904, the church remodeled the structure you see today in brick. The entire remodel reportedly cost $8,000, which was paid in full upon the rededication of the building. Maconites have long associated Washington Avenue Presbyterian with its connection to influential African American civic leaders in the city, just like many of the other churches in this district.

H&H Restaurant

What? H&H Restaurant
Where? 807 Forsyth St.

The Story: In 1959, Inez Hill opened H&H Restaurant with her goddaughter and cousin Louise Hudson. H&H opened in a racially segregated Macon, making its location in the heart of the Cotton Avenue business district ideal. Everyone from barbers and hairstylists to lawyers and dentist could walk from their offices and shops for breakfast or lunch at H&H.

Despite its prime location in a thriving African American business district, H&H Restaurant is perhaps best remembered today for its connections to Macon’s rich music heritage. Recently discovered and recording right up the street, the Allman Brothers Band supposedly pooled their money together to share two meals at H&H one afternoon because that was all they could afford. “Mama” Louise felt sorry for the boys and brought them their own individual meals and told them to pay her when they had the money. The band did not forget Mama Louise’s kindness and came back to visit her after they “made it.” Partially remembered for being an integrated band during a time of racial tension and segregation, the Allman Brothers Band is also remembered in this spot, making the restaurant a landmark of both food and music history. An old H&H table is even featured at the Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House.

Other bands connected to music giants Redwal and Capricorn also stopped at this iconic meat-and-three restaurant, making it a popular tourist stop. Celebrities, out-of-towners, and locals alike love this delicious comfort food.

Want to taste some H&H? The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30AM to 3:00PM. Historic Macon Foundation and the Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center will also be serving H&H style breakfast at the walking tour brochure unveiling and reception on Saturday, February 27. That event begins at 10:00AM and will be held in the Women’s Center at 626 Spring St. with a trolley tour of the Cotton Avenue District to follow. The event is free and open to the public, but space on the trolley is limited and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis at the reception.

Check back each Friday in February to learn a little bit about Macon’s rich African American history surrounding the Cotton Avenue District. Each site featured is a stop in the Cotton Avenue District Walking Tour Brochure, which will be unveiled on Saturday, February 27 at 10:00AM at the Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center. The event is free and open to the public and will be followed by a free trolley tour of the area. Seating on the trolley is limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis at the reception.

Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women's Center

Check back each Thursday in February to learn a little bit about Macon’s rich African American history surrounding the Cotton Avenue District. Each site featured is a stop in the Cotton Avenue District Walking Tour Brochure, which will be unveiled on Saturday, February 27 at 10:00AM at the Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center. The event is free and open to the public and will be followed by a free trolley tour of the area. Seating on the trolley is limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis at the reception.

What? Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center

Where? 626 Spring St.

The Story: Ruth Hartley Mosley was born in 1886 in Savannah. After high school, Mrs. Mosley studied to become a nurse and served in leadership roles at many facilities, including the Georgia State Sanatorium in Milledgeville where she was the head nurse of “Colored Females Department.” This position was a great responsibility because of the sheer number of staff members and patients under Mrs. Mosley’s care and authority.

After marrying Richard Hartley, they moved to Macon, and she returned to school in order to become a licensed mortician at the funeral home Mosley and her husband opened. After Hartley’s death, Mrs. Mosley married Fisher Mosley and became a public health nurse at Bibb County schools.

Her life was not all work though. By all accounts, Mrs. Mosley was an excellent bridge player. When you entered her home today, it is not hard to imagine her bridge club meeting to play in this beautiful space.

In addition to her work and play activities, Mrs. Mosley was a prominent Macon civil rights activist. She was a leader in Macon’s chapter of the NAACP, organizing sit-ins and serving as a founding member of the Booker T. Washington Community Center. Her legacy lives on today in her beautiful home through the work of the Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center.

If you would like to learn more about Mrs. Mosley’s life and legacy, visit http://ruthhartleymosleycenter.com/index2.htm. The Ruth Hartley Mosley Memorial Women’s Center will be hosting two lectures in February, which are additional opportunities to visit Mrs. Mosley’s home.