1976
Elizabeth Lyon hired as HPS “Survey and National Register Unit Manager”
(would be promoted to HPS Section Chief in 1977)
Jenny Thurston hired as HPS preservation planner.
(replacing Jean Buckley)
Congress amended the National Historic Preservation Act:
Established the Historic Preservation Fund (“HPF”) as the source of matching grants to the state historic preservation offices and the National Trust.
Expanded the Section 106 environmental review process to include historic resources eligible for as well as listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This superseded the 1971 Presidential Executive Order.
Expanded the Section 106 environmental review process to include historic resources eligible for as well as listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This superseded the 1971 Presidential Executive Order.
Congress designated the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as an independent federal agency -- no longer under the National Park Service.
The request for this change came from Robert Garvey, director of the Advisory Council. The justification was to insure “independent” reviews of all federal agency activities.
The national “Tax Reform Act of 1976” passed. It created the first Federal historic preservation tax incentives. These tax incentives encouraged the rehabilitation of historic income-producing buildings.
Jenny Thurston (HPS preservation planner) appears to have been responsible for administering this new program … although it may not have been fully implemented until 1980 ...
The Georgia “Façade and Conservation Act” (44-10-1) approved by the Georgia General Assembly.
This Act established guidelines and standards for historic easements on historic properties, consistent with national and state standards.
Information & Education coordinator position established within HPS Historical Analysis Unit.
Lyn Waskiewicz (later Menne) was hired as the first “communications coordinator.”
First southeastern regional SHPO meeting - hosted by HPS -- held at Georgia State University in Atlanta, with participation from the NPS, the ACHP, and the newly formed NCSHPO.
The conference theme was the 10th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The Georgia Archaeological Research Design (“GARD”) task force created.
Its goal: to provide guidance for archaeological investigations, resource identifications and evaluations, and site protection plans.
The Long Cane historic district in Troup County listed in the National Register. This nomination focused on the historic rural architecture of the area.
Concerns in Georgia over Section 106 compliance for highway projects were publicized in the May issue of “Preservation News” (a publication of the National Trust for Historic Preservation).
Chief among those concerns was proposed state legislation which would impose severe restrictions on nominating properties to the National Register of Historic Places -- so as to avoid future “conflicts” with proposed highway projects – and which would allow the Georgia Department of Transportation to “object” to proposed National Register nominations that in the Department’s opinion would hinder proposed highway improvements.
Responding to preservationists’ concerns, a February 12, 1976 “memorandum of agreement” between the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources attempted to resolve these issues without resorting to restrictive state legislation or individual court cases.
In part, this agreement required the state historic preservation office to notify property owners, local governments, and state agencies including the Department of Transportation of all proposed National Register nominations, and it required the Department of Transportation to identify “conflicts” and state its objections to proposed nominations – objections which could bring the National Register nominations to a halt.
This resulted in a “blizzard” of paperwork by the state historic preservation office to identify as many potential National Register nominations as possible and to notify property owners, local governments, and state agencies including the Department of Transportation.
The agreement also required the state preservation office to work with the Department of Transportation to resolve any “conflicts” between proposed National Register nominations and planned highway projects.
Responding to preservationists’ concerns, a February 12, 1976 “memorandum of agreement” between the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources attempted to resolve these issues without resorting to restrictive state legislation or individual court cases.
In part, this agreement required the state historic preservation office to notify property owners, local governments, and state agencies including the Department of Transportation of all proposed National Register nominations, and it required the Department of Transportation to identify “conflicts” and state its objections to proposed nominations – objections which could bring the National Register nominations to a halt.
This resulted in a “blizzard” of paperwork by the state historic preservation office to identify as many potential National Register nominations as possible and to notify property owners, local governments, and state agencies including the Department of Transportation.
The agreement also required the state preservation office to work with the Department of Transportation to resolve any “conflicts” between proposed National Register nominations and planned highway projects.
1977
Elizabeth Lyon promoted to HPS Section Chief.
Served as head of the state historic preservation office for the next 17 years; retired in 1994 as Division Director of the newly formed Historic Preservation Division. Assigned many responsibilities of the state historic preservation officer.
The first Historic Preservation Fund grants awarded to applicants through a competitive application process.
These first “competitive” Historic Preservation Fund grants were awarded by HPS to state agencies, local governments, and non-profit organizations for historic preservation and archaeological projects.
The first federal “Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit” project completed:
Rankin Square, 1020 Broadway, Columbus
Two other projects were submitted for review but were not completed until 1978:
Hamilton-Turner House, 330 Abercorn Street, Savannah
437 Remington Avenue, Thomasville
This new federal tax incentive for rehabilitating historic buildings, authorized in 1976, would eventually encourage the rehabilitation of hundreds of historic income-producing buildings in Georgia. To qualify, buildings had to be “income-producing” and rehabilitation had to conform to the new Secretary of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilitation.”
DNR’s “Georgia Heritage Trust” state grant program (established in 1974) expanded to include “a local assistance grant program for historic preservation properties” administered through HPS.
Over several years, $523,750 in grants were awarded to 18 local projects.
Planning and Environmental Review Unit established in HPS
Don Klima served as Unit Manager until 1979.
Carole Merritt served as unit manager from 1979 to 1983.
Syd Janney served as a planning intern; promoted to planner in 1978, then unit manager in 1983.
Carole Merritt served as unit manager from 1979 to 1983.
Syd Janney served as a planning intern; promoted to planner in 1978, then unit manager in 1983.
The General Assembly passed the Cave Protection, Archaeological Sites Act (12-4-140/147).
This state law prohibited damaging archaeological sites within caves.
Industrial buildings and sites along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus documented by the Historic American Engineering Record.
The Green Street National Register historic district in Gainesville became the centerpiece in a federal court lawsuit brought by the Hall County Historical Society that clarified the responsibilities of state and federal agencies in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 4(f) of the (national) Transportation Act.
In short, the court ruled that federal agencies must fully consider effects to historic properties and cannot delegate to state or local government agencies in toto their responsibilities for complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
This ruling then led to a series of meetings over several years involving the Federal Highway Administration, the Georgia Department of Transportation, and the state historic preservation office to work out effective procedures for complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 4(f) of the Transportation Act.
This ruling then led to a series of meetings over several years involving the Federal Highway Administration, the Georgia Department of Transportation, and the state historic preservation office to work out effective procedures for complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 4(f) of the Transportation Act.
Between 1972 and 1977 inclusive, an additional 25 Georgia properties designated National Historic Landmarks.
Many of these had been initiated during the Georgia Historical Commission era.
1978
Department of Natural Resources reorganized (due to budget reductions):
Office of Planning and Research abolished.
Historic Preservation Section (HPS) moved to the Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites Division of DNR.
DNR Commissioner held title of State Historic Preservation Officer; HPS Section Chief functioned as State Historic Preservation Officer through delegation of responsibilities.
Historic Preservation Section (HPS) moved to the Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites Division of DNR.
DNR Commissioner held title of State Historic Preservation Officer; HPS Section Chief functioned as State Historic Preservation Officer through delegation of responsibilities.
HPS reorganized into three programmatic units and the Section Chief’s office:
Section Chief’s Office: Elizabeth Lyon (serving as SHPO)
Inventory and Grants Management Unit (Carole Griffith)
Included survey, National Register, state and federal grants, and budget and administration
Gained a new position of “preservation architect” (to review grant projects)
(Brad Smith was hired in 1979 as the preservation office’s first preservation architect.)
Preservation Assistance and Review Unit (Carole Merritt)
Included Section 106 reviews, preservation planning, coordination with APDC regional planners, general preservation assistance, and information & education.
The Office of the State Archaeologist (at West Georgia College) continued to be responsible for Section 106 reviews for archaeological resources.
Inventory and Grants Management Unit (Carole Griffith)
Included survey, National Register, state and federal grants, and budget and administration
Gained a new position of “preservation architect” (to review grant projects)
(Brad Smith was hired in 1979 as the preservation office’s first preservation architect.)
Preservation Assistance and Review Unit (Carole Merritt)
Included Section 106 reviews, preservation planning, coordination with APDC regional planners, general preservation assistance, and information & education.
The Office of the State Archaeologist (at West Georgia College) continued to be responsible for Section 106 reviews for archaeological resources.
Federal-level reorganization of the nation’s historic preservation program (under the Carter administration): the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, formerly in the National Park Service, was transferred to the new “Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service” (along with the former Bureau of Outdoor Recreation) within the Department of the Interior.
This arrangement would last only until 1981 when, under the Reagan administration, the preservation program was reassigned to the National Park Service.
Georgia’s “regional preservation planner” program was initiated with pilot programs in two Area Planning and Development Commissions (APDCs): the Middle Flint region, David Brown, planner; and the Northeast Georgia region, James Reap, planner.
Funding was provided by matching federal grants from HPS to the APDCs.
The first HPS/Regional Planner Quarterly Meeting occurred in July 1978.
By 1980, fourteen more APDCs would join the program, covering almost the entire state.
The first HPS/Regional Planner Quarterly Meeting occurred in July 1978.
By 1980, fourteen more APDCs would join the program, covering almost the entire state.
James R. “Jim” Lockhart joined HPS as staff photographer.
Jim provided photography for National Register nominations and other office programs including information and education.
He later served as the office’s computer services coordinator and graphics designer.
HPS was one of the few (possibly the only) state historic preservation offices to have a full-time staff photographer.
Jim retired in 2010.
He later served as the office’s computer services coordinator and graphics designer.
HPS was one of the few (possibly the only) state historic preservation offices to have a full-time staff photographer.
Jim retired in 2010.
Richard Cloues (“RC”) joined HPS as architectural historian.
Subsequent responsibilities included National Register program manager, Survey and Register Unit Manager, Historic Resources Section manager, and Deputy SHPO.
Richard retired 2012.
Richard retired 2012.
Syd Janney promoted to “preservation planner” (formerly served as planning intern).
First “Flowery Branch” staff seminar.
Full-day staff meeting at Section Chief Elizabeth Lyon’s house at Lake Lanier to discuss current events, challenges, opportunities, and future action plans.
A Federal court case regarding a proposed transportation improvement project for Green Street in Gainesville – a street lined with historic houses -- set state and national precedents for environmental review responsibilities on the part of transportation agencies under the provisions of Section 106 of the NHPA.
In this case, the court ruled that federal agencies could not delegate their historic preservation responsibilities to state agencies, and the court specified that state-level review processes such as Georgia’s A-95 reviews could not be substituted for federal-level Section 106 reviews when proposed projects were dependent upon federal approval and funding. (Ruling handed down March 7, 1978.)
Subsequently, a Memorandum of Understanding between GDNR and GDOT acknowledged GDOT’s responsibilities to identify historic properties and consider possible effects to them from proposed transportation projects as an integral part of its project planning with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). GDOT also agreed to hire qualified professionals to review its proposed projects and consult with HPS regarding National Register eligibility and potential effects to historic properties from its projects. For “planning purposes,” GDNR agreed to notify GDOT of proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places to be presented to the Georgia National Register Review Board at its regularly scheduled meetings.
This essentially negated or superseded the 1976 “agreement” between GDOT and GDNR and charted the course for future compliance with Section 106 for proposed federally-assisted highway projects.
Subsequently, a Memorandum of Understanding between GDNR and GDOT acknowledged GDOT’s responsibilities to identify historic properties and consider possible effects to them from proposed transportation projects as an integral part of its project planning with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). GDOT also agreed to hire qualified professionals to review its proposed projects and consult with HPS regarding National Register eligibility and potential effects to historic properties from its projects. For “planning purposes,” GDNR agreed to notify GDOT of proposed nominations to the National Register of Historic Places to be presented to the Georgia National Register Review Board at its regularly scheduled meetings.
This essentially negated or superseded the 1976 “agreement” between GDOT and GDNR and charted the course for future compliance with Section 106 for proposed federally-assisted highway projects.
1978-1979
Elizabeth Lyon assumed David Sherman’s position on the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) board of directors and served on the NCSHPO’s Review & Compliance Committee.
Carole Griffith appointed to the “state programs committee” of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO).
1979
The newly founded Savannah College of Art and Design established its historic preservation program – in a rehabilitated historic building associated with the historic Central of Georgia Railroad Shops and Terminal facility.
The “Archaeological Resources Protection Act” (“ARPA”) passed by the U.S. Congress.
Provided enhanced protection for archaeological resources on public and Native American lands.
The Society for Industrial Archaeology held its annual conference in Columbus.
The Society’s all-day tour focused on the industrial buildings and sites recently recorded by the Historic American Engineering in its 1977 survey.
The Society’s southern-most conference was described as “the best ever” in its newsletter – “the sites never less than interesting and at best astonishing … and overspreading all was an effusion of that singular cultural expression known to the world outside as Southern Hospitality.”
The Society’s southern-most conference was described as “the best ever” in its newsletter – “the sites never less than interesting and at best astonishing … and overspreading all was an effusion of that singular cultural expression known to the world outside as Southern Hospitality.”
The Society of Architectural Historians held its annual conference in Savannah.
Elizabeth Lyon and Richard Cloues presented papers on Druid Hills architecture, landscape, and planning.
“Preservation Issues” workshops held in Macon, Savannah, Columbus, and Atlanta to identify preservation “issues” in Georgia and develop strategies for dealing with them.
HPS undertook a National Register initiative involving the new “multiple resource area” nomination format (in which all National Register-eligible historic properties within a given area are documented and nominated at the same time):
Communities initiating these trial nominations included Cave Spring, Clarke County, Clarksville, Columbus, Kennesaw, LaGrange, Lumpkin, Marshallville, and St. Simons Island.
While several were successful --- Cave Spring, Columbus, Kennesaw, Lumpkin, and Marshallville -- the effort required to identify, document, evaluate, and nominate all eligible properties in these large geographical areas at one time prove
While several were successful --- Cave Spring, Columbus, Kennesaw, Lumpkin, and Marshallville -- the effort required to identify, document, evaluate, and nominate all eligible properties in these large geographical areas at one time prove
HPS staff held its first in-house meeting to discuss possibilities for “computerizing” field survey data.
1980
Congress passed Amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act:
The Amendments clarified SHPO responsibilities in the following program areas as prerequisites to receiving federal funds and participating in the national preservation program:
States were required to provide a minimum 50/50 match of federal and state funds (at a later date, states were allowed a 60-40 mix of federal and state funds for historic resources surveys).
The Amendments also created the Certified Local Government (“CLG”) program which added qualified local governments to the federal and state preservation partnership. To support this new program, 10% of each state’s annual Historic Preservation Fund allocation was to be disbursed to Certified Local Governments.
This provision was promoted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors which desired more oversight of the costs and consequences of Section 106 Determinations of Eligibility for federally assisted undertakings in their jurisdictions.
Georgia as well as many other states were already granting more than 10% of their federal funds to local governments for preservation planning activities.
- Surveys
- National Register nominations
- A “qualified” National Register Review Board
- Environmental Review
- Tax incentive rehabilitation project reviews
- Grants for planning, rehabilitation, and restoration
- State historic preservation plan
- Public information/education
States were required to provide a minimum 50/50 match of federal and state funds (at a later date, states were allowed a 60-40 mix of federal and state funds for historic resources surveys).
The Amendments also created the Certified Local Government (“CLG”) program which added qualified local governments to the federal and state preservation partnership. To support this new program, 10% of each state’s annual Historic Preservation Fund allocation was to be disbursed to Certified Local Governments.
This provision was promoted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors which desired more oversight of the costs and consequences of Section 106 Determinations of Eligibility for federally assisted undertakings in their jurisdictions.
Georgia as well as many other states were already granting more than 10% of their federal funds to local governments for preservation planning activities.
The “Georgia Historic Preservation Act” passed by the state legislature (44-10-20/31).
Preamble: "the historical, cultural, and aesthetic heritage of this state is among its most valued and important assets and . . . the preservation of this heritage is essential to the promotion of the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people."
The Act authorized local governments to (1) enact ordinances to create historic preservation commissions and designate historic structures and districts, and (2) to regulate alterations, additions, and demolitions of historic structures and the design of new construction.
This Act also established standards for local historic preservation commissions, local designations, and design review that would later form the basis of requirements for local governments to qualify for the new federal Certified Local Government program.
The impetus for this came from Professor John Waters at the University of Georgia School of Architecture working with the UGA Institute of Government (Mel Hill) and a state legislator.
The Act authorized local governments to (1) enact ordinances to create historic preservation commissions and designate historic structures and districts, and (2) to regulate alterations, additions, and demolitions of historic structures and the design of new construction.
This Act also established standards for local historic preservation commissions, local designations, and design review that would later form the basis of requirements for local governments to qualify for the new federal Certified Local Government program.
The impetus for this came from Professor John Waters at the University of Georgia School of Architecture working with the UGA Institute of Government (Mel Hill) and a state legislator.
“Main Street” program in Georgia implemented by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation administered the national “Main Street” program on a state-by-state basis. In Georgia, the Department of Community Affairs implemented this new program. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation carried out the “Main Street Design Assistance” component of the program with grant funds provided by HPS. HPS also served on a state advisory committee and participated in local “resource team” site visits.
Section 106 review process initiated for two major multi-year GDOT highway projects:
Reconstructing the Downtown Connector (I-85) in Atlanta.
Widening and reconstructing “Corridor Z” (SR 520) (a.k.a the “South Georgia Parkway”) across south Georgia from Columbus to Jekyll Island.
These were the first large-scale highway-related Section 106 review projects involving the state historic preservation office.
Widening and reconstructing “Corridor Z” (SR 520) (a.k.a the “South Georgia Parkway”) across south Georgia from Columbus to Jekyll Island.
These were the first large-scale highway-related Section 106 review projects involving the state historic preservation office.
HPS developed written procedures for reviewing federal tax-incentive historic-building rehabilitation projects; specific staff review responsibilities assigned.
This was a clear indication of the expanding role of this new national historic preservation program in Georgia.
Nacoochee Valley (White County) listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
This was Georgia’s first listing of a large historic district that focused on the rural/agricultural landscape and the relationship between that historic landscape and the historic buildings and structures within it.
The nomination was instigated by Dale Jaeger, preservation planner at the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center.
The adjacent Sautee Valley was listed as a historic rural/agricultural district in 1986.
An earlier 1975 listing for the Etowah Valley in Bartow County focused on the prehistoric archeological resources in the valley but included documentation of historic buildings in the area.
A 1976 listing for Long Cane in Troup County focused on the rural architecture of the area.
The Druid Hills Parks and Parkways Historic District in Atlanta, listed in 1975, focused on its designed combination of suburban architecture, plan, and landscape. This historic district listing was expanded in 1979.
The nomination was instigated by Dale Jaeger, preservation planner at the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center.
The adjacent Sautee Valley was listed as a historic rural/agricultural district in 1986.
An earlier 1975 listing for the Etowah Valley in Bartow County focused on the prehistoric archeological resources in the valley but included documentation of historic buildings in the area.
A 1976 listing for Long Cane in Troup County focused on the rural architecture of the area.
The Druid Hills Parks and Parkways Historic District in Atlanta, listed in 1975, focused on its designed combination of suburban architecture, plan, and landscape. This historic district listing was expanded in 1979.
Ninety-five historic Georgia County Courthouses listed in the National Register in a single “thematic” nomination.
Other Georgia courthouses had been previously listed individually; still others would be added at later dates -- particularly those that were not yet 50 years old when the thematic nomination was done. By 2006, there were 132 Georgia courthouses listed in the National Register.