Timeline 1969-1975

The National Historic Preservation Act (“NHPA”) established a federal/state partnership that included a standard suite of national preservation programs to be carried out at the state level using federal funds/grants (the “Historic Preservation Fund” or “HPF”), matched by state funds, to create state preservation offices staffed by preservation professionals. (This partnership has remained, essentially unchanged, since then.) A federal requirement was that states should administer the new preservation programs consistent with a state historic preservation plan. One of those federal-state partnership programs was an expanded National Register of Historic Places.

The Georgia Historical Commission was authorized under state law in 1951 and established in the Secretary of State’s office in 1952. Its original responsibilities included state historic sites and historical markers. Impetus for creating the new state historic preservation office came from the Historic Columbus Foundation, the State Archaeologist, and others who lobbied the Governor’s office as well as the Georgia Historical Commission.

At this early date, the Commission’s expanding historic preservation activities were also referred to as the “National Register program.” Several years later the term “state historic preservation office” came into general use.

Staff support for the new preservation program was initially “borrowed” from GHC staff (e.g. photography, artwork, historical research, archaeology).

Nominations to the National Register of Historic Places (which had been expanded in scope and participation under the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act).

The state’s first National Register nominations were processed in 1969.

These consisted of seven from Columbus …

Columbus Historic District

Columbus Ironworks

Goetchius-Wellborn House

Joseph House

Octagon House

Walker-Peters-Langdon House

Wells-Bagley House

… along with the Vann House in Spring Place (Murray Co.), the Harris-Pearson-Walker House in Augusta, and St. Catherine’s Island.

The first National Register Review Board was comprised of the Georgia Historical Commission “commissioners,” augmented by Ed Neal as architect and Lewis Larson as archaeologist.

NOTE:Twelve state and federal historic sites and National Historic Landmarks in Georgia were automatically included in the National Register when it was created on October 15, 1966, pursuant to federal law and regulation. These automatic listings did not require any action on the part of the state historic preservation office, although the office did provide supporting documentation at a later date for some of these listings.

The state’s first field surveys of historic buildings.

The “historic sites survey” was initiated by William Mitchell and continued through 1979.

A number of preservation groups around the state were formed in part to participate in and contribute to these early field surveys.

National Historic Landmark recommendations.

Prior to the creation of the state historic preservation office in 1969, seven Georgia properties had been designated as National Historic Landmarks.

During the four years that the Georgia Historical Commission served as Georgia’s state historic preservation office (1969-1972), an additional three Georgia properties were designated as NHLs.

Early “Section 106” environmental reviews for federally assisted undertakings involving archaeological resources in Georgia were carried out by Dr. Lewis Larson at West Georgia College. Review of projects involving historic buildings and structures was not formalized until 1974 when Don Klima was hired to manage this aspect of Georgia’s Section 106 review program – in particular, for the construction of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transportation Authority’s rail and subway system (MARTA).

This Act required consideration of the effects of federally assisted undertakings to the surrounding environment of historic properties as well as the properties themselves.

This act provided protection for archaeological sites on state lands (excepting lands of the Board of Regents) and created duties for a “state archeologist” in the Georgia Historical Commission. Dr. Lewis Larson was appointed State Archaeologist in 1972. Dr. Larson had worked with the Georgia Historical Commission starting in 1952, donating his office’s services, staff, and laboratory at West Georgia College. He provided volunteer services to Georgia’s state historic preservation office starting in 1969 – including Section 106 reviews for federally assisted undertakings involving archaeological resources.

This act required that state-mandated surface mining land-use plans address possible effects to historic properties listed in the National Register.

Several organizational meetings were held among the southeast State Liaison Officers (SHPOs), often including Bill Murtagh, Keeper of the National Register, at which they worked out requirements for survey, National Register, and other preservation programs that would meet states’ needs and qualify for federal funding. Also discussed was the need for a regional organization with national connections; this new organization was called the Southern States Liaison Officers’ Council. Mary Gregory Jewett, Georgia’s SLO, was a leader in initiating these regional meetings including one at the Atlanta airport and another in Athens.

Following the southeast regional SLO meetings (above), a national SLO organization was founded at the American Association for State and Local History conference in St. Paul, Minnesota.

This organization would later be known as the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers or NCSHPO.

Carole initially served as “assistant to the director” of the “Historic Sites Survey” and “National Register Assistant.”

Early responsibilities included reviewing newspaper articles provided by a “clipping service” for information about historic properties and then marking the locations of those properties on county highway maps (the “green dot” surveys).

Carole subsequently managed or oversaw the survey and National Register programs, grants, preservation planning, public information, budget, Certified Local Governments, personnel management, and operational planning. She also served as Deputy SHPO.

Carole retired in 2002.

In Georgia, these initial grants supported the restoration of state-owned historic sites as well as the state historic preservation office staff and operations.

Written by Bill Mitchell (director of the Historic Sites Survey).

Revised and reprinted in 1974 and 1976.

(Currently out of print … )

This Executive Order directed federal agencies to:

• Survey and inventory properties under their jurisdiction;
• Identify those properties under their jurisdiction that are listed in the National Register or that met the criteria for listing in the National Register – i.e., that are “eligible” for listing in the National Register;
• Take into account effects to historic properties – properties listed in the National Register and properties eligible for listing in the National Register -- from agency-supported activities; and
• Provide the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a “reasonable opportunity” to review and comment on federal undertakings affecting historic properties.

Note: The administrative requirement to ”take into account” not only National Register-listed but also National Register-eligible properties led to the “Determination of Eligibility” process which was later made into law in the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1976.

Dr. Larson had long been associated with the Georgia Historical Commission, carrying out archaeological investigations at state-owned historic sites. He also volunteered his time, and the state preservation office supported his office and staff at West Georgia College through the Historic Preservation Fund and state funds, to review federally assisted undertakings for effects of archaeological resources in Georgia.

• Elizabeth MacGregor was hired as the architectural historian (served through 1976).
• Jean Buckley was hired as the preservation planner; also handled outreach initiatives (served through 1976).
• Van Jones Martin was hired as photographer (served through 1974).
     
• Van Jones Martin replaced Jett Lowe –the previous GHC staff photographer.
• Cindy Smith (later Hill) was hired as secretary (served through 1981).

Carole Summers Griffith assumed duties as administrative assistant to the director of the Historic Sites Survey office.

The reorganization was promulgated in 1972 and became effective in 1973.

Mary Gregory Jewett, former Executive Director of the Georgia Historical Commission, was appointed “Section Chief” of the new “Historic Preservation Section.” Ms. Jewett also served as the “State Liaison Officer” -- a precursor term for the state historic preservation officer under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

• Ms. Jewett served in this position from 1973 until March 29, 1974, when she retired.
• JMs. Jewett went on to serve as the first president of the new Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation in 1974.

Survey, National Register, and Planning Unit
This Unit was responsible for the existing statewide field survey and the National Register program along with enhanced historic preservation planning (internally and with other agencies and organizations).
Review and Compliance Unit (“Section 106” or “environmental review”)
This Unit was responsible for the state office’s Section 106 environmental review activities and for coordinating archaeological reviews carried out by the Office of the State Archaeologist at West Georgia College.
Archaeological support for federal environmental reviews continued to be provided by the State Archaeologist through a cooperative agreement with West Georgia College. Historical Analysis Unit
The Historical Analysis Unit was created to research existing state historic sites and potential new state historic sites. The unit also provided expert advice on historical and archaeological issues involving state parks and historic sites.
Unit staff also provided technical assistance to the Survey and National Register staff and the Environmental Review program.
This new Unit consisted of three staff: two historians (Kenneth H. Thomas, Jr., and Tom Eubanks) and one archaeologist (John “Chip” Morgan). Emma Jane Neely served in a supervisory capacity in 1974. Morton McInvale served as unit manager from 1975 through 1978.
Kenneth H. Thomas (“Ken”) served as historian in the state historic preservation office until his retirement in 2006.
John Morgan (“Chip”) served as archaeologist in the state historic preservation office until retiring in 2002.

The Georgia Trust was a private non-profit organization promoting historic preservation in Georgia. Bill Griffin served as chair/acting president during its first “organizational” year.
In 1974, Mary Gregory Jewett, former Georgia Historical Commission executive director and the first DNR Historic Preservation Section Chief, was elected president of the Georgia Trust. She held this position until her death in 1976.

According to NCSHPO “Publication of Resolutions,” a resolution to this effect was moved by H. G. Jones (N.C.), seconded by Robert Williams (Florida), and voted in the affirmative.

Her position was temporarily filled by Tom Agnew and Emma Jane Neely until a full-time Chief was appointed in September 1974.

Mitchell went on to become the chief administrative officer of the Historic Augusta Foundation.

He held this position from September 1974 until June 1975.

This was the office’s first staff position responsible for the consideration of historic buildings and structures involved in federally assisted projects requiring “Section 106” environmental reviews under the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act. (Consideration of archaeological sites continued to be provided by the State Archaeologist at West Georgia College.)
Initial responsibilities focused on historic buildings, structures, and districts to be affected by construction of the MARTA rapid-rail system in Atlanta – the single largest federally assisted undertaking in Georgia affecting historic buildings and structures since passage of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966. Other early “environmental review” projects included highway widening projects in “Old Clinton” (Jones County), Sycamore Street in Decatur, and Green Street in Augusta, the Wheaton Street public housing project in Savannah, and the construction of Lake Oconee in Greene County. These projects, and others like them, represented the first generation of federally assisted undertakings to be fully reviewed by the state historic preservation office under the provisions of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, with steep learning curves for all involved – particularly with federally-funded highway projects.
This position also was responsible for providing comments to DNR’s management on what were called “A-95” reviews. These state-level reviews were mandated by the 1968 federal “Intergovernmental Cooperation Act” which required all requests for federal funding be reviewed by a state, regional, or metropolitan “clearinghouse.” In Georgia, DNR served as a state clearinghouse for requests involving environmental activities.
The A-95 state-level review process was separate from the Section 106 review process under the National Historic Preservation Act. However, in practice at the state level, it often led to confusion and lack of coordination with the actual Section 106 reviews, particularly for highway projects.
In 1977, Klima would head the office’s new “review and compliance and planning” unit.

The initial research project was for the Kettle Creek battle site; eventually, some 16 reports documenting possible state historic sites were produced.

Federal grant funds were provided by the Historic Preservation Fund.
These initial federal preservation grants primarily funded restoration activities at state-owned Historic Sites administered by DNR’s Parks division.
Local competitive federal historic preservation grant awards began in 1977.

This activity was unfunded in 1977 following the completion of many initial county-wide field surveys.

This nomination was sponsored by the Old Clinton Historical Society to insure that the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration would take the historic community into account while making plans for widening a highway through the area, pursuant to the provisions of the Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Parrish had served previously as DNR’s “Reviewing Officer” 1973-1974 for what were called “A-95” reviews. These reviews were mandated by the 1968 federal “Intergovernmental Cooperation Act” which required all requests for federal funding be reviewed by a state, regional, or metropolitan “clearinghouse.” In Georgia, DNR served as a state clearinghouse for requests involving environmental-related activities.
The A-95 review process was separate from but parallel to the Section 106 review process under the National Historic Preservation Act. However, in practice at the state level, it often led to confusion and lack of coordination with the actual Section 106 reviews.

This unit provided research services for the state parks and historic sites programs (but also provided staff support for HPS programs).
McInvale left the office in 1978.

Sherman had previously served as coordinator of DNR’s Georgia Heritage Trust grant program within the Office of Planning and Research. He would serve as HPS Section Chief until April 1977 when he was promoted to Division Director of the Office and Planning and Research (OPR) (replacing Charles Parrish).

Much of Sherman’s attention at this time was focused on several early and precedent-setting Section 106 projects including the MARTA rapid-rail system in Atlanta, highway widening projects in “Old Clinton” (Jones County), Decatur (Sycamore Street), Gainesville (Green Street), and Augusta (Greene Street), the Wheaton Street public housing project in a historic African-American neighborhood in Savannah and the preservation of the 1896 King-Tisdell Cottage, and the construction of Lake Oconee in Greene County affecting historic and prehistoric archaeological sites.
Sherman also promoted the preservation of Georgia’s overlooked industrial buildings and sites – in particular, by supporting Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) recordation projects in Columbus, Savannah, and Augusta. He also helped persuade the city of Savannah not to demolish the Central of Georgia Railroad Shops and Terminal (which in 1976 would be designated a National Historic Landmark).

At this time, data on approximately 800 sites was included in the Sites File.

This precedent-setting National Register nomination focused on the prehistoric archaeological resources in the valley, including several prominent earthen mounds. It also documented many historic buildings in the area.

This precedent-setting National Register nomination focused on the designed combination of early 20th-century suburban architecture, plan, and landscaping.
The historic district nomination was updated and expanded in 1979.
It later played a critical role in the shelving of plans for an extension of the Stone Mountain Freeway through this historic area.

In 1977-1978 this historic district would become the centerpiece in a federal court lawsuit that clarified the responsibilities of state and federal agencies in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.