MILLEDGEVILLE — In honor of the completion of the project to restore the Hill house at Andalusia, The Flannery O'Connor - Andalusia Foundation held a public viewing ceremony Tuesday. Local residents, Georgia College alumni and Flannery O’Connor enthusiasts came together at Andalusia to witness the unveiling of the newly restored home.
The Hill house was the home of Jack and Louise Hill, an African-American couple who worked and lived at Andalusia during the time that Flannery O’Connor lived and wrote there. The Hills lived in this two-story house located just northwest of the main house with a boarder named Willie “Shot” Manson.
“This building is very significant not only to the preservation of O’Connor’s legacy but to her writing as well,” said Amason during the unveiling ceremony. According to Amason, O’Connor referred to these workers many times in her published work, “The Habit of Being.”
“The Habit of Being” is a collection of more than 800 of Flannery O’Connor’s letters that discusses truths and revelations she has encountered throughout her life.
Donations for the restoration came from state and federal grants, as well as donated gifts from people in the community.
“This project came together through the tireless effort of many people, in and out of the community,” said Amason. “We are more than appreciative to everyone who came together through grants and gifts to help with the restoration of such an historic site.”
The E. J. Grassmann Trust donated $7,500 to the Foundation to help rescue and restore the Hill house. In addition, The Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources awarded a 2010 Georgia Heritage Grant for $20,000 to the Foundation for the rescue and stabilization of the Hill house. The Foundation also secured the services of Lord Aeck Sargent to create the planning documents for the Hill house restoration and to supervise the construction for the project.
“This is just one of many buildings that we plan to restore and we thank everyone for helping us continue our efforts,” said Amason.
If you’re interested in visiting Andalusia, the final home of Flannery O’Connor, the farm is open for self-guided “walk-in” tours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information contact Amason at 478-454-4029.
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