Preservationists to tour local historic architecture June 10

Published 7:00 am Thursday, June 1, 2023

Milledgeville’s unique history will be on display on Saturday, June 10, as preservationists from all over the state visit the area during the Georgia Trust Expedition.

The event will offer visitors and residents alike a rare opportunity to explore historic private homes and significant historic sites during a day-long, self-guided tour.

“We’re excited to welcome preservationists from across the state to come learn more about our town’s rich history and historic sites, and I think this will be a good chance to introduce folks to the history of our community, its wonderful architecture and provide a nice economic boost to our local vendors, restaurants, etc. to welcome all these individuals to town,” said Matt Davis, director of Historic Museums at Georgia College.

Rebekah Snider, executive director of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the community has been fortunate to garner support from both public and private buildings and homes across the community for the event.

To select 2023 participating properties, Snider said organizers reviewed the homes and organizations which partnered with them in 2013 to welcome the event as well as public buildings of historical significance and overall zoned walkability.

The Expedition will begin at 10 a.m. with a brief historical orientation at Georgia College and State University’s Arts & Sciences Building.

Following the orientation, guests will tour more than 20 historic homes and sites, including the 1838 Rockwell House, which was featured on HGTV’s “Life Under Renovation” while undergoing an extensive rehabilitation; the 1806 Maj. Edward White House, Milledgeville’s oldest extant house; and the 1825 Brown-Stetson-Sanford House, a Milledgeville Federal-style house that sparked the city’s preservation movement and led to the formation of the Downtown Historic District.

Guests will also explore historically significant sites including Georgia’s Old State Capitol, considered the first example of Gothic architecture in a public building in the United States; Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion, one of the finest examples of High Greek Revival architecture in the nation; and Andalusia Farm, home of author Flannery O’Connor from 1951-1964.

Guests will enjoy lunch from their choice of participating downtown eateries with a $15 lunch voucher that is included in the full registration ticket price.

The event will conclude with a special closing reception on the grounds of Lockerly Arboretum where guests can enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres while touring the house and gardens.

Snider said the event is an opportunity to share Milledgeville’s rich cultural heritage and the important role the community played in Georgia’s formative years.

“Because this is an event that seems to come to Milledgeville about once every decade, I think that keeps it really desirable for people,” Snider said.

Because of Milledgeville’s centralized location in the state, she said the event is expected to draw visitors from all over Georgia.

“We are looking forward to it from a hospitality perspective in terms of the economic impact that it will have on our community,” Snider said. “The Trust is estimating that the event will bring about 300 to 350 people to Milledgeville, and we are looking forward to having them stay the night in our hotels and eat in our restaurants and also experience our heritage and culture.”

The Georgia Trust Expedition is $75 for Georgia Trust members and $100 for non-members and includes lunch and the closing reception. Tour-only tickets that do not include lunch and the reception are also available for $40. Tickets are available at GeorgiaTrust.org through Wednesday, June 7, or whenever they sell out. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaTrust.org or call 404-885-7812. Proceeds from the Expedition will go to support the many preservation and educational programs of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.