The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation hosted a historic expedition in Milledgeville, June 10.
Attendees of the expedition began their day at Georgia College & State University, located in the center of Milledgeville, to pick up registration packets at the Arts and Sciences Building and be briefed during their orientation. Participants were then released to go on a self-guided tour with 20 historic locations to choose from including historic homes, museums, and more.
Executive Director Rebekah Snider of Visit Milledgeville and Director of Georgia College and State University’s (GCSU) Historic Museums Matthew Davis were the chairs of the committee that partnered with The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation to plan the expedition sights. According to Davis, he and Snider reached out to numerous contacts to partner with for the expedition and worked closely with local Georgia Trust members.
“The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation reached out to us about a year ago and we began planning shortly after,” said Davis. “Milledgeville is a city with a rich and steep history and a very significant architectural history, as well, that is important to share and teach about.”
According to Snider, Milledgeville is only one stop of the 2023 Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Tour Plan and will be the first time that the Conventions and Visitors Bureau has partnered with Georgia Trust in 10 years.
“We are really looking forward to the impact that this expedition will have on visitors and the economic impact it will have on Milledgeville,” said Snider. “We gave members of the Georgia Trust a tour of Milledgeville during planning of the expedition and wanted to recognize the historically significant assets in our community. Specifically, those that represent the culture and heritage of Milledgeville since its founding.”
Locations for the expedition included: Georgia College & State University Ina Dillard Russell Library/Heritage Hall; John Marlor Arts Center; Case-Flemister-Woods-Gladney-Pelton House; The Inn on North Jefferson; Georgia’s Old State Capitol Building; St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church; First Presbyterian Church; Hines-Bone House; Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion; Brown-Stetson-Sanford House; Major Edward White House; Sallie Ellis Davis House; Andalusia Farm at Georgia College; Rockwell House; Central State Hospital Campus; Glover Home; Chapel of All Faiths; Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot; and Rose Hill at Lockerly Arboretum.
“Milledgeville has an exceptional number of homes and buildings with a significant impact on its history,” said Amy Wright, executive director of Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center (GOCHC). “It’s essential that we call attention to the rich history and promote preservation by encouraging events like this. Events like this show the importance of preservation and encourage the saving of these historic buildings.”
GOCHC owns the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House and the Central State Hospital Depot that were featured in the expedition. Both buildings have a rich history and are being either renovated to be or being used as a museum contributing to the local teaching of Milledgeville’s history.
Both Snider and Davis, alongside their committee, were happy to the expedition bring recognition to Milledgeville, create partnerships, and promote business. They are thankful to each of their partners for opening their doors and offering a unique experience to the participants of the expedition.
“We are truly thankful for each one of our partners and their work to preserve their homes, their museums, and more for the betterment of the community,” said Davis. Snider added, “Without the work of the community, we could not offer such a large-scale historic retelling of Milledgeville, so we are very grateful to each and every one who has helped us on this journey.”