A permanent tribute recognizing Northwest Georgia’s Cherokee history could soon be placed near Ridge Ferry Park in Rome.
The Chattooga County Historical Society is asking residents to become involved in preserving the county’s history as the organization works to expand its archives, grow its membership and establish a permanent museum.
The homes of Grace Towns Hamilton, the first Black woman elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, and her father, George Towns, will be preserved as historic landmarks through a new multi-million-dollar restoration project in Atlanta’s Vine City neighborhood.
Preserve Black Atlanta is leading the effort with approximately $2.3 million in funding from a National Park Service grant and Atlanta’s Westside Tax Allocation District. Fulton County commissioners approved a portion of the local funding in June, allowing the project to move forward.
Grace Towns Hamilton made history in 1965 when she became the first Black woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly. She served in the Georgia House for nearly 20 years and is credited with helping expand political opportunities for Black Georgians during the Civil Rights era. Historians also recognize her as the first Black woman elected to state office anywhere in the South.
Her father, George Towns, was a professor at Atlanta University and helped found the Niagara Movement in 1905, an organization that laid the groundwork for the creation of the NAACP.
Project leaders say the restored homes will become public historic sites while also contributing to neighborhood revitalization. Restoration work is expected to take about two years once permitting is complete.
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Floyd County officials say the next stage for the Historic Floyd County Courthouse will be debris removal, following completion of the initial stabilization work on the 134-year-old structure.
Before debris removal begins, insurance representatives, engineers, contractors, and county officials are expected to conduct an on-site inspection. Floyd County Attorney Chris Jackson said the meeting is scheduled for June 26 and will help determine what can be preserved and what future work may be possible.
Jackson said officials want all parties involved to inspect the site together for safety and continuity.
The historic courthouse was heavily damaged by fire on March 23. Officials say insurance funds are currently being used for storage and related costs as the county works to move the recovery process forward.
Trust for Public Land, Walker County, and the City of Chickamauga officially dedicated the new John Culpepper Chickamauga Battlefield Connector Trail on Friday.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has announced a new grant program aimed at protecting historic battlefield lands across the state.
The Rome Area Heritage Foundation is calling on Floyd County leaders to preserve the Historic Floyd County Courthouse following the March 23 fire that damaged the landmark structure.
It was a milestone this past weekend for Paradise Garden, as the nonprofit behind Howard Finster’s famous folk art environment received statewide recognition for historic preservation.
Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism is inviting residents and visitors to step back in time with a series of story-driven tours highlighting the people, places, and events that shaped Rome’s history.
A major preservation project in Summerville has received one of Georgia’s top historic preservation honors.